LATEST NEWS: “I’ve had the opportunity to play alongside two of the best defenders, Ramos and Pepe, but there’s one Arsenal player who’s even better than both of them together. I’m planning to leave in January, and it’s because of him. His skill is exceptional, and watching how he plays, I realize I no longer see a future for myself here,” William Saliba explains, revealing why he feels compelled to leave Arsenal in January, attributing his decision to one particular new signing.
The goalkeeper transferred to Southampton from Arsenal this summer after losing his starting position to David Raya.
Ramsdale initially joined Arsenal in 2021 from Sheffield United for a fee of £26 million, making 89 appearances during his time with the Gunners. However, with the arrival of David Raya, first on loan in 2023 and later as a permanent signing, Ramsdale saw his playing time significantly reduced.
In an interview with Football Focus about his move to Southampton, Ramsdale explained, “If I was sitting on the bench, winning a trophy wouldn’t have meant as much to me. I just wanted to play football. As a kid, my dream was to be on the field, not just on the sidelines. My goal was to get out and play, so I feel fortunate to be here at Southampton.”
Ramsdale’s career hadn’t involved much time on the bench before. During his early years at Sheffield United, he went on loan to secure regular playing time. In contrast, he played only 11 matches for Arsenal in his final season with the club.
In his debut season at Arsenal, Ramsdale earned the Premier League Golden Glove, keeping 16 clean sheets in league play and 20 overall across 41 appearances. He was instrumental in Arsenal’s strong season, helping the team finish second in the Premier League and reach the Champions League quarter-finals. Additionally, Ramsdale earned four caps for England between 2021 and 2023.
Ramsdale will face his former club when Southampton travels to the Emirates to play Arsenal on October 5.