3 reasons why Aaron Ramsdale needs to leave Arsenal

For the benefit of both the club and himself, Aaron Ramsdale needs to leave Arsenal this summer.

When Ramsdale joined Arsenal in the summer of 2021, few expected him to start over then-German international Bernd Leno, but the 25-year-old went on to start 34 Premier League games in his first season with the Gunners and quickly showed that he was not here to simply fill out the squad.

Ramsdale immediately became a fan favourite, owing to his excellent performances and interactions with the crowd, including celebrating with Arsenal fans and taunting opposition supporters, making him a real character in the team.

Even in tougher periods, his passion and commitment to the team could never be doubted, with his ability single-handedly earning us points over the last few seasons.

It looks like an odd decision in hindsight, given how this season has unfolded for the former Sheffield United shot-stopper, but Ramsdale signed a new long-term contract with the Gunners just last May, committing himself to the club for the prime years of his career, which fans rightly rejoiced about.

He won further plaudits for this video, announcing his new deal, with many fans appreciating how personal it was and feeling a stronger-than-ever connection with Ramsdale.

So who would have thought that, just ten months later, he would have started only five Premier League games in the 2023/24 season, and that his future at the club would look untenable, for all parties?

Well, that is the situation we find ourselves in and, as saddening as it is for me to write this, he needs to leave the club as soon as possible, and here are three reasons why.

1. Personal ambition

Ramsdale has previously expressed his pride, as is to be expected, in representing England on the international stage, an honour that has been bestowed upon him four times to date.

But with the European Championships fast approaching, rumours have emerged suggesting that Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland may be recalled to the squad ahead of the next set of international fixtures, possibly ahead of Ramsdale due to his lack of playing time.

This alone is a strong indicator of exactly why he needs to leave the club, for his own sake, to preserve a career at the very top of the game both at club and international level.

It also has to be said that there can be no world where he is happy with his current situation at Arsenal and, while he may be acting in a very professional manner about it, the fact remains that he will want to play on a regular basis and feel like a much more valued member of a team elsewhere if Arsenal cannot or will not offer that.

"Aaron has lost his smile and it's difficult to see," the goalkeeper's dad, Nick, said back in November.

2. Toxic dynamic waiting to spill over

While Ramsdale has remained a professional throughout his disappointing 2023/24 season so far, it is difficult to imagine him accepting a secondary role again next season and, if he is not granted a transfer this summer, it feels like a situation that could turn incredibly toxic, which is something that the club do not need.

And it would be difficult to not side with Ramsdale if this were to happen, given he signed a new contract, presumably without being told that he would be replaced just a handful of months later, which effectively tricked and forced him into accepting a place on Arsenal's bench.

3. Time to cash in

Arsenal paid roughly £30m for Ramsdale in 2021, but as he continues to not play, his value is decreasing with each passing week and it makes little sense for Arsenal to hold onto him and continue to lose value if it is clear that he is not in Mikel Arteta's plans.

It could also offer a good opportunity for an academy option to gain some valuable experience, or for the club to sign a younger apprentice who could develop in the future to be Raya's deputy moving forward.

Arsenal would likely have to accept taking a small loss on Ramsdale if he were to be sold in the summer, but it is something that they should do, to help both themselves and Ramsdale in the long run

An unjust end to his fairytale move

Ramsdale does not deserve this. My suggestion that he needs to leave is no slight on him, and it is as much for his benefit as for that of the club.

I will refrain from contradicting myself, having already insisted that Arsenal 'must' sign David Raya permanently this summer, but that is not to say that I am in any way glad to see the back of Ramsdale, who has been an excellent servant to the club.

Frankly, Ramsdale has done very little wrong during his time at Arsenal, and was effectively replaced without stepping a foot wrong, which will have undoubtedly annoyed some sections of the fanbase.

His joy upon first joining the club, a move that he pushed hard to secure, was clear for all to see, and this would be a very sad, and unjust way for things to end for him in North London, but it is something that needs to happen for his own sake as much as for anybody else.

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