Aaron Ramsdale breaks down in tears on pitch after Arsenal fans’ reception on return to Emirates Stadium
AARON RAMSDALE was overcome with emotion as he broke down in tears on his first return to the Emirates since leaving this summer.
The England goalkeeper joined Southampton on deadline day in a four-year deal worth £25m, bringing his three-year Gunners stint to an end.
Ramsdale was left visibly emotional after he received a warm reception from Arsenal fans as the Saints face Mikel Arteta’s side in North London.
The Emirates was less than half-full before the home fans were unanimous in giving Ramsdale a round of applause during the warm ups.
The stopper was unable to hold back the waterworks as he headed for the tunnel before kick-off.
After being treated to widespread applause and chants, Ramsdale was pictured using his gloves to wipe away tears.
The 26-year-old then flashed a thumbs-up and a cheeky wink at the crowd.
Ramsdale produced several great saves in the first half, as Arsenal were held to a 0-0 scoreline at half-time.
He made 89 appearances in total for Arsenal but left in search of more game time after falling behind David Raya in the pecking order.
Him and his family, particularly his dad, were heartbroken to see him lose his place to Raya, then on loan, at the start of last season.
The decision seemed harsh from Arteta, as Ramsdale hadn’t made too many mistakes in their first title charging season in 2022-23.
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But the Raya decision, however brutal, has proven be the right one, with the former Spaniard proving to be one of the league’s best.
Ramsdale played just six Prem games last season but has been ever present for the Saints this term.
Ramsdale said he made the move down to the south coast because he had no desire to ‘”win trophies if I was sitting on the bench.”
He told the BBC‘s Football Focus show: “If I was sitting on the bench, it [winning a trophy] wouldn’t have meant that much to me.
I just wanted to play football. As a kid I wanted to play football to play, not to just sit on a bench.”
Ramsdale became the ninth goalkeeper to play against Arsenal in the Prem having previously played for them in the competition.
The only one of the previous eight to keep a clean sheet in his first such match against the Gunners is Emiliano Martinez, in a 3-0 win at the Emirates with Aston Villa in November 2020.