Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has now opened up about some of the key figures at the club who have helped him through this season.
This has been a difficult campaign for Aaron Ramsdale to endure at Arsenal.
The 25-year-old shot-stopper lost his starting berth for the Gunners back in September, shortly after David Raya’s arrival at the Emirates Stadium on loan from Brentford.
The Spaniard is clearly now Mikel Arteta’s first-choice pick between the sticks. Arsenal are aware that Ramsdale is almost certain to depart the club in the upcoming summer transfer window, as he needs to be playing regular football at this stage in his career.
Losing the No. 1 spot at Arsenal was painful for Ramsdale. However, he remains a fan-favourite at the Emirates Stadium. He is a popular character in north London, and produced some magic moments on the pitch for the club over the last couple of seasons. Ramsdale has already spoken out about how much he has appreciated the support he has received from the stands over the course of this challenging period in his career.
It is not just the fans of the club who have rallied around the England international at this time, though. Plenty who work for the north London outfit, from kit men to catering staff, have been there for the former Sheffield United man too.
Aaron Ramsdale heaps praise on behind-the-scenes Arsenal staff
Speaking to the club’s official website, Ramsdale recently stated, “or me the physios, masseurs, kitmen, restaurant staff – I’d actually say they are as important as the coaching staff for that side of it. For morale, team spirit and just being a shoulder to lean on, somebody to speak to away from the football world.”
MORE ARSENAL STORIES
“To keep a football club going in a positive way, away from football, I think these people are so, so important. They care about the football but they care much more about how you are on the human side. They will ask you about your family every single day, so you find out about their families too. So especially the boys who are injured, or out of form or whatever, it takes you away from that footballing world. It normalises you and your situation.”
“Of course they have all helped this season too…Being a new father now as well we can talk about that and it takes your mind off everything else.”
Arteta has always preached the importance of unity at Arsenal. He has worked hard to foster a sense of collectivism and connection, not just between himself and the squad, or the players and the fans, but with everyone who is a part of the club in any way. He will be heartened by Ramsdale’s report of the support he has received the from the behind-the-scenes staff at Arsenal.
Football is a brutal business, at times. For his own part, Arteta has been criticised for his treatment of Ramsdale. Ultimately, though, he is in the business of winning matches, and he clearly believes that Arsenal stand a better chance of doing exactly that with Raya wearing the gloves.
That being said, players who are out of the starting XI, injured, or otherwise just on the fringes of things, are still important and still human. Ramsdale may not be an Arsenal player for much longer, but whilst he still is, he will be supported by the club.