Aaron Ramsdale handed England lifeline as Gareth Southgate performs Arsenal U-turn

The manager previously said Aaron Ramsdale must be playing regularly but is now ready to “overlook” his situation
Dom Smith15 March 2024

Aaron Ramsdale has been given a potential Euro 2024 lifeline by Gareth Southgate, who says the Arsenal man’s lack of game-time can be overlooked for now.

A fan’s favourite at Arsenal, the 25-year-old was undisputed No1 for the previous two seasons before being usurped by loanee David Raya this term.

Ramsdale was last weekend able to make his first Premier League appearance since November — filling in against Raya’s parent club Brentford — but was able guilty of a huge error as Yoane Wissa blocked his clearance into the net in an eventual 2-1 win for the Gunners.

Southgate on Thursday named Ramsdale alongside Jordan Pickford and Sam Johnstone as the goalkeepers in his England squad for friendlies against Brazil and Belgium later this month, boosting Ramsdale’s chances of a Euros call-up.

Aaron Ramsdale’s performances have become synonymous with mistakes
REUTERS

Asked whether Ramsdale, capped four times by his country, would need more regular game-time to stay in the England fold long-term, Southgate replied: “Clearly.”

He added: “We have picked the three goalkeepers we think are the best.

“It’s not ideal that Aaron’s not playing. But he showed last week, to respond to the mistake the way that he did, that he has the mental resilience to play for England. In that position on the pitch, in particular, that’s crucial.”

We still believe he can force his way back into the team

Ramsdale’s hopes of reclaiming the No1 shirt at Arsenal took a blow on Tuesday night when Raya was the Gunners’ shootout hero by saving two penalties against Porto to send Arsenal into their first Champions League quarter-final since 2010.

“We still believe he can force his way back into the team there [at Arsenal]“, said Southgate. “That will be more difficult after the penalty shoot-out the other day I would imagine. But he’s just got to keep pushing every day and training well every day.

“I think if we’ve got three goalkeepers and one isn’t regular, it’s not perfect, but at this moment in time we are prepared to take that chance.”

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