‘It used to do my head in’ – Aaron Ramsdale reveals what upset him most at Arsenal after being benched for David Raya
AARON RAMSDALE revealed the one thing that bothered him the most after being replaced as Arsenal’s starting goalkeeper by David Raya.
Ramsdale, 26, impressed between the Gunners’ sticks during the 2022-23 campaign as he helped Mikel Arteta’s men come close to the Premier League title and was named in the PFA Team of the Year.
However, the now Southampton star was immediately overtaken by Raya, 29, last season when he arrived on loan from Brentford before ultimately signing a permanent deal in the summer.
That led the England international to a £25million move to St Mary’s during the summer transfer window.
The keeper broke his silence about his time on the North Londoners’ bench with a surprise revelation as to what he hated the most about his predicament.
Cameras would often switch to Ramsdale watching on with the rest of the subs every time Raya committed a blunder in goal last season.
And the ex-Sheffield United star was absolutely livid every time the TV crews panned to him trying to get his reaction.
Ramsdale told the BBC: “It used to do my head in.
“Coming off the pitch and then my wife would say, ‘You were on TV five times again today’.
“Why someone would pan to me when someone makes a save or a goal goes in and it pans to me on the bench.
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“I do think the story was bigger than what it needed to be. I do think it put pressure on David at time as well.”
Ramsdale returns to the Emirates on Saturday for the first time as an opponent since his move to Southampton.
And the shot stopper revealed Raya was the first one to text him after his departure to Saints.
Ramsdale added: “I did an interview with David Seaman about my new contract and how I wanted to emulate him and be there for eight, 10 years. A couple of months later I was out of the team.
“I tried my hardest to dislodge David out of the team. I do think now the rewards are showing. He’s started the season incredibly well.
“He was actually the first person to text me on my move here from the boys at Arsenal. But no he was great, he was top.
“Like I say he’s made some big, big saves this season and kept them in some games. I’m just desperate he doesn’t have one of those games again on Saturday.”
Meet the Arsenal Wags from Strictly star to a flight attendant
Tolami Benson – partner of Bukayo Saka
Benson and Saka have kept information on their relationship largely quiet.
They do not appear on each others Instagram pages but she was seen speaking to Saka at the 2022 World Cup.
Helene Spilling – partner of Martin Odegaard
A professional dancer from Norway who rose to fame in the country’s version of Strictly Come Dancing, the pair were first spotted together at the Football Awards in March 2023.
Sophie Weber – partner of Kai Havertz
Weber works as a model and social media influencer and is the most high profile member of the group on online with almost 400,000 followers on Instagram.
They are childhood sweethearts having grown up in the same neighbourhood.
Milly White – partner of Ben White
The couple got engaged in 2022 before tying the knot officially in May last year. They have matching “I love you tattoos” on their wrists. Milly White works as a model.
Laura Trossard Hilven – partner of Leandro Trossard
The pair met in 2014 before getting married in 2019.
They have two sons together, Thiago and Amadeo.
Lauren Fryer – partner of Declan Rice
Lauren Fryer and Declan Rice have been together since 2015. She tends to keep a lower profile compared to some of Arsenal’s other Wags but is no less stunning.
She sadly deleted all pictures on her Instagram after suffering horrific abuse by vile trolls.
Georgina Ramsdale – partner of Aaron Ramsdale
Georgina Ramsdale works as a flight attendant.
The couple got married last June after the Arsenal star proposed in 2022. They originally met in 2019.