Mikel Arteta reveals Aaron Ramsdale and David Raya exchange after Arsenal return
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale made an emotional return to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday in the Gunners’ 3-1 win over Southampton.
Ramsdale played 89 times for the north Londoners after signing from Sheffield United in 2021. However, he lost his place to David Raya in Mikel Arteta’s team last season and left the club in a £25million deal in the summer.
The 26-year-old started for his new side on Saturday and had managed to keep his former teammates out in the first-half. He made three saves but could not stop Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka scoring in the 3-1 defeat.
During his warm-up, Ramsdale received a warm welcome from the Arsenal supporters, leading to an emotional reaction from the former Gooner. Chants of his name then echoed around the stadium in the closing minutes of the match.
After the final whistle, Arteta was seen exchanging words with Ramsdale and current goalkeeper Raya. Asked what he said to the England international, the Spaniard said: “I wished him all the best and congratulated him for the way that they played as well.
“I wish him the best and I hope they do [well] – especially for the manager and Aaron because they are a really good side.”
Saying in his pre-match press conference on Friday, he said: “I called him straight away after I got the news [of his move to Southampton]. “He was really happy. He is a player we love a lot. Very charismatic. He really put his fingerprints here in the way he was. And it will be very nice to see him.”
