Arsenal signing Aaron Ramsdale this window was a mistake

It’s very easy to pass judgement from the outside looking in, especially once a decision has been made and the dust has settled. A window with clear direction for Arsenal was tackled head on but amid the strategy, Aaron Ramsdale’s signing raises questions.

The recent summer transfer window left Arsenal with some gaps to fill, those which couldn’t be plugged elsewhere or left to chance. Goalkeeper was one such position with Bernd Leno reinforced by either the Icelandic Almunia or an untried teenager.

Andre Onana was the fans’ favourite for many months but when it became clear that Arsenal were honing their gaze on young, homegrown stopper the list of possibilities was narrowed down to one standout candidate.

Everyone is well aware that Leno’s days are numbered. Almost certain to be moved on at the end of the season, the arrival of Ramsdale is with an eye on assuming that number one berth when the German bids auf wiedersehen.

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Arsenal signing Aaron Ramsdale this window was a mistake as £30m needed to be distributed elsewhere across Mikel Arteta’s squad

While the scope is there for him to wrestle his way into the number one spot before then, he’s expected to remain the backup over the course of the campaign.

From a quality perspective there were concerns over Ramsdale’s arrival. With qualms over his decision-making off his line and the underlying metrics showing fairly average numbers in almost all departments, there was some unavoidable disgruntlement.

The fee didn’t help, either.

Arriving from Sheffield United on a £24m deal that will rise to £30m depending on a few factors – including his involvement in the first team and future England appearances – there is some certainty that a large portion of the add-ons will be met.

£30m is a substantial amount for a goalkeeper who profiles as not being elite in any one category.

However, he’s here now and the reception he’s had from supporters since donning the jersey has been extremely positive. Overnight he has become the best goalkeeper in the world. We’re all very happy to have him on board and being the likable character he is has only sped up the process of him endearing himself to the fans. He genuinely feels like a great addition.

But.

Could it have waited?

Continued…

Arsenal Could Have Spent the Ramsdale Money Elsewhere

If Arsenal get through the current campaign finishing in eighth place again with Leno starting 98% of the Premier League fixtures, the £30m parted with for Ramsdale won’t look like especially shrewd business.

An investment that may, we hope, pay off, if Arteta watches on at a similarly sluggish midfield that continues to see build-up play slowed down to excruciating levels where the forwards only assume possession in low-threat zones then, well, he won’t be here anymore.

And that £30m on Ramsdale who only plays the occasional Carabao Cup game could be his undoing. Noted that Arteta really pushed for the 23-year-old this summer, with an Arsenal rebuild leaning entirely on the side of youth and development and not instant impact experience, the gaps in the strategy are there.

Supporters have rallied behind the idea of bringing the age of the squad down in the manner it has been done, but nobody can deny that the window lacks an injection of immediate authority and presence to move the needle of the starting lineup.

Ramsdale had no interest elsewhere in his signature. No club wanted to meet the Blades’ high demands.

Were Arsenal to have revisited the deal in the coming summer then Ramsdale would have been cheaper and there might be some European football for him to get his teeth sunk into. It’s a deal that could have had the groundwork done in advance. It’s proactive of the club to sign the replacement first but usually they don’t cost £30m and are limited to a handful of outings.

At the risk of being revisionist, yes, it’s true loan deals and stop-gaps have to end at Arsenal. But, on this one occasion, if a season-long loan for a goalkeeper would have meant going out and truly reshaping the midfield before going back for Ramsdale in 12 months’ time, then it would have been a worthwhile trade-off.

Of course, this may turn out completely the other way.

Ramsdale may usurp Leno before the season’s end and play a vital role in securing Arsenal points that lift them back into the European places. He could save a penalty in the FA Cup final that wins the club a trophy and books a spot in the Europa League.

Who knows.

But if you were looking at probability this season, then seeing the same midfield that has been troublesome over the years left untouched barring the addition of a 21-year-old while £30m worth of goalkeeper plays Wimbledon in the energy drink cup hints towards the less favourable outcome.

All of this, granted, being easy to say with the help of hindsight. Yet, did anyone think £30m on a backup goalkeeper was wise at the time? It didn’t seem to be.