LIVE
...

Follow us on

News

John Hartson is shocked that £24m player hasn’t asked to leave Arsenal yet 

John Hartson is ‘surprised’ one Arsenal player hasn’t asked to leave the club after what’s happened this season.

Not many Arsenal players have reason to be disgruntled at the moment, with the Gunners chasing domestic and European success.

With 10 games left to play, Mikel Arteta’s men lead the way in the Premier League and are set to face Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

The Spaniard has done an excellent job of managing his squad this season but there have been a few players who have struggled for minutes.

Aaron Ramsdale certainly falls into that category as he’s made just six appearances in the league after David Raya’s arrival.

The goalkeeper is expected to depart this summer but John Hartson is surprised he hasn’t already asked to leave the Emirates Stadium.

Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Hartson surprised by Ramsdale’s decision to stay at Arsenal

Speaking on , Hartson questioned Ramsdale’s decision to stay and fight for his place at Arsenal.

“The goalkeeper was questioned when he moved Ramsdale out and I am surprised Ramsdale didn’t ask for a move on the back of that because he would have been very, very disappointed,” the former Arsenal man said.

“If I was him, I would have been saying you prefer another one to me, I’m good enough to play every week.”

Ally McCoist added: “He surely had a chat with Gareth [Southgate] though, I mean the first thing you do if you are Aaron Ramsdale is say is this going to affect me going to the Euros. That must have been a conversation, surely.”

Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

Ramsdale will have to leave Arsenal to boost England hopes

While Ramsdale remains very much a part of Southgate’s squad, he’s unlikely to replace Jordan Pickford anytime soon.

The 25-year-old was placing pressure on Pickford while he was integral to Arsenal last season. But with Raya set to be signed permanently this summer, you’d imagine that Ramsdale will have to move on for regular first-team football.

It would be a real shame to see his time at Arsenal end in such a way after he was key for Arteta last term. Yet, Arteta’s choice to bring in Raya has been vindicated in recent weeks.

A move for Ramsdale feels like the best for all parties at this stage, particularly with the Englishman hoping to become Southgate’s first-choice goalkeeper.