Aaron Ramsdale has opened up about his “difficult” decision to leave Arsenal in search of regular game time.
The England international spent two full seasons as a of Arsenal first-choice goalkeeper before being replaced by David Raya during the 2023/24 season. Having lost his place in Mikel Arteta’s starting line-up, Ramsdale opted to leave the club in the summer, joining the newly promoted side. Southampton.
Since then, the goalkeeper has made four starts Premier League games for the Saints, just two starts in total for the 2023/24 campaign at Arsenal.
talking with Sky Sports On his decision to leave the Emirates Stadium, Ramsdale revealed he left the club in search of regular minutes in the Premier League:
“There’s not many people I’ve met personally who have said, ‘I wanted to win the Premier League as a kid sitting on the bench’. As much as that would be amazing and you’re in a team environment,” Ramsdale admitted.
“If I finish my career and I’ve played 10 years in the Premier League with four or five hundred games, or I’ve played 150 and won two Premier Leagues and an FA Cup by not playing for Arsenal, I’d much rather first choice.
“It was very difficult to leave this football club but when it came down to it, all I wanted to do was play and that’s what I’m doing now and I’m grateful to Southampton.”
Ramsdale will return to the Emirates for the first time since his summer exit on Saturday, with Southampton looking for their first win of the season against a title-challenging Arsenal side.
