Arsenal: Aaron Ramsdale’s best attribute highlighted by stats

Sadly, Piebury Corner on Holloway Road is no longer in full operation. Only when Arsenal play at home can supporters indulge in the finest London has to offer. Were it still open in all its glory, however, the ‘Aaron Ramsdale humble pie’ would be a fitting addition to the menu.

Never has it felt so good to be so horribly wrong. To have made a judgement call, one partially backed up by the statistics, and be left feasting on the sweetest of slices of baked goods available has never been so satisfying.

Ramsdale was a questionable purchase at £30m. The qualms of his addition had its roots in Arsenal’s decisions with past goalkeepers, who no longer need be named, as well as the role bestowed onto him by his former employers.

Scouted extensively by Arsenal with a eye on what he could be as opposed to what he is, the end result is one that has caught fans from afar cold. Asked to feed the centre-forward every week for Sheffield United, he’s now finding gaps in defences some of the finest central defenders would fall short of picking out.

Aaron Ramsdale’s outstanding distribution highlighted by stats as Arsenal goalkeeper produced passing masterclass against Aston Villa

In the first half of the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace there were further inklings of his special talent following on from eye-catching moments previously seen in his short Arsenal career. Taking on Aston Villa last time out, there had never been a more glorious illustration of his distribution.

As noted by goalkeeping analyst John Harrison, all 12 of his open play passes resulted in Arsenal receiving unpressurised possession. While that can seem run of the mill, the type of pass and risk level attached to them make those numbers stand out. In 40% of the passes he made he was under pressure from Villa forwards, with seven of his successful open play passes breaking Villa lines.

Such tremendous ability on the ball is even more impressive considering the range of techniques he used. One standout pass was when he cut through the ball with pace to find Takehiro Tomiyasu on the right touchline, immediately opening up a 2v3 scenario down the wing.

This level of awareness and execution is all the more remarkable when factoring in how little it was utilised during his time with the Blades. The scouting department have uncovered a skill in Ramsdale that only their eyes saw.

Calls for the following to be heavily over exaggerated will surely arise, but the way he sprayed passes every which way against Villa was reminiscent of the heights Ederson reaches at Manchester City. The overwhelming difference is, of course, to produce that on a consistent level, which is the next step for the 23-year-old.

But focus and approach will aid him in that quest. Going through spells of fleeting involvement on Friday, the way he repeatedly barks orders, engages with the fans and makes his presence known succeeds in keeping his mind in the game. The look he gave Sambi Lokonga when he had to collect a free shot is one such example.

The numbers he is racking up are quite staggering.