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Arsenal goalkeeper puzzle could be catalyst for a successful season

By Gary Jordan

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal in action during The FA Community Shield match between Manchester City against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on August 06, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal in action during The FA Community Shield match between Manchester City against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on August 06, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images) /
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Aaron Ramsdale is looking forward to the new challenge ahead, as the Arsenal goalkeeper puzzle looks set to be solved.

It is well known, and obvious, that if you have a solid defence backed up with a more than capable goalkeeper, is the foundation for a successful team. Arsenal have always had this during their best years. Go way back, and you will find the likes of John Lukic, and David Seaman, the latter being England’s first choice for many years.

Arsenal goalkeeper puzzle

Jans Lehmann was the man between the sticks in their Invincibles campaign in 2003/04. Then they have had a mixed range of talent in recent years as they have gone off the boil where trophies are concerned. Now though, they are looking to be challenging again, with their close title chase with Manchester City last season. This has been no coincidence with the introduction of Aaron Ramsdale.

The initial fee of £24m paid for him in the summer of 2021 from Sheffield United, is proving to be worth every penny. His presence in the goal, and around the dressing room and training ground, is infectious. No doubt, he is one of the reasons why the Gunners started so strongly last year. The second-place finish means they have Champions League football in 2023/24. This adds extra pressure to the squad.

Trading places

Back up to Ramsdale last season was USA international Matt Turner, who deputized seven times for the number one choice. Turner has just signed a four-year deal with Nottingham Forest, which is a great deal for both teams and the player. This does leave a gap behind Ramsdale, though.

In the past couple of weeks, there has been much speculation over the signing of Brentford goalkeeper David Raya. This would solve the Arsenal goalkeeper puzzle. The 27-year-old shot-stopper has been capped by Spain and looks to be the real deal. As Arsenal chase his signature, his value has gone up to £30m, which would be an expensive signing for a backup. However this would also make sense as it provides both healthy competition for Ramsdale, as well as quality depth in a vital position with the extra games that are to be played this season.

"Speaking to ITV Sport, Ramsdale was ready for the challenge of keeping his place in Mikel Arteta’s side. “Bring it on. Nothing comes easy in football. But also at the same time you need to move along and adapt as well. I’ve done it to other people when I’ve moved to other clubs. I’m not going to be thinking that it’s never going to happen to me. We’ll fight and we’ll make each other the best version of ourselves because that’s what the manager is telling us as well.”"

Ramsdale is fully focused, and the FA Community Shield win last weekend will be seen as the ideal start to the season. The Arsenal goalkeeper puzzle is now completed; they look to be the team that knocks Manchester City off of their very lofty perch in the coming season.

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