Making a Case For Every Premier League Young Player of the Season Nominee
By Joel Edkins
Aaron Ramsdale:
Viewed as a surprise and potentially unnecessary signing upon his arrival from relegated Sheffield United for a fee that could rise to £30m, Aaron Ramsdale has gone on to set the foundations to be Arsenal’s number ‘one’ for years to come.
The 23-year-old has recorded the fifth-highest number of clean sheets with 12 from 32 matches, shutting out previously first-choice goalkeeper Bernd Leno in the process.
Ramsdale is part of an Arsenal defence that has been transformed under Mikel Arteta this season, displaying memorable performances such as one away to Leicester which saw him make eight saves, one a miraculous stop from a James Maddison free-kick.
His influence transcending purely shot-stopping, Arteta detailed the moment he realised the kind of character he had recruited in Ramsdale.
"“The day I spoke with him for the first time on the phone! “That is when I realised he had a special personality and was going to fit in really well with what we are trying to do, and the way we want our players to behave.” Via: Arsenal FC"