Arteta wants keeper Ramsdale to stay at Arsenal

Author: BBC Sport

Manager Mikel Arteta wants England international goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to stay at Arsenal, despite losing his starting berth to David Raya.

Raya joined the Gunners on loan from Brentford in the summer and has usurped Ramsdale from the number one spot.

Ramsdale, 25, who has won four full England caps, has made only three club appearances across all competitions since early September, and has been linked with Newcastle.

“I want Aaron with us,” Arteta said.

“I am very happy to have two very, very good goalkeepers and Aaron is staying with us.

“We want to be better, so we want to add to what we already have. That’s the intention that we have.”

Ramsdale started all 38 Premier League fixtures in 2022-23 as the Gunners challenged Manchester City in the race for the title.

He was the first choice at the start of 2023-24, starting the opening four league games, but Raya was preferred for the trip to Everton on 17 September and has kept his place.

Since then, Ramsdale has been restricted to two Carabao Cup outings and a Premier League appearance against Brentford, when Raya was ineligible to face his parent club.

Newcastle – whose manager Eddie Howe signed Ramsdale for Bournemouth in 2017 – are reported to be keeping close tabs on the situation, with a potential January bid on the cards after Magpies goalkeeper Nick Pope suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder in Saturday’s 1-0 win against Manchester United.

When pushed over whether he could categorically rule out an exit for Ramsdale in next month’s transfer window, Arteta added: “I won’t do that to any player. Any player.

“I cannot tell you that any Arsenal player is not going to leave in January. Or he is to stay here for the next three years.

“I won’t say that no player is going to go to Newcastle. Or no member of the staff either. I won’t say it. If you say yes or no, I won’t say it.

“I cannot guarantee that nobody is going to be leaving in January. For Newcastle or any other club. So it is a no.”