Arsenal legend surprised by Aaron Ramsdale's decision to join Southampton
Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour has expressed his surprise at goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale's decision to join Southampton. He believes the goalkeeper is good enough to join a 'big club'.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Parlour opened up on Ramsdale's move to Southampton. He understood why the shot-stopper was eager to join the Saints in search of game time, saying (via TBRFootball):
"It's a move that Aaron obviously wants to play football. I thought he might have gone somewhere, not being disrespectful, big club, but he has made that decision. He has got to now really get his head down, try really hard, get back to the keeper he was. He is a very good keeper."
Ramsdale joins Southampton in a deal worth a reported £18 million plus £7m in add-ons and has penned a four-year contract, with the option of an additional year.
Arsenal legend urged Aaron Ramsdale to leave the club this summer
Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit had urged Aaron Ramsdale to consider leaving Arsenal last week. He claimed that the goalkeeper was good enough to not be sitting on the bench every week. He said on Safest Casino Sites (via Metro):
"I would be missing playing football if I was Aaron Ramsdale. I'd miss the adrenaline, the excitement of a match day when you wake up. Aaron Ramsdale needs to leave, he needs to play, football is not all about money and you need to go enjoy the sport. He must be very unhappy, I hope he gets back on the pitch somewhere else. Wolves how now come in for Aaron and that could be a way into a starting XI in the Premier League."
Petit's former teammate, David Seaman also echoed the sentiments and told the Daily Star:
"I've always said Aaron is too good to be a number two. He's a fantastic player. He needs to play. Wherever that is, I don't know. It's a weird situation. Ideally, you'd love him to stay because that would be great for the club. But he needs to move for his career. And that includes England because, if he's not playing, he'll keep dropping down the pecking order with them."
Arsenal signed Ramsdale from Sheffield United for a reported £26 million in 2021. He was replaced by David Raya as the first-choice goalkeeper under Mikel Arteta last season.