“Hate playing against him” – Aaron Ramsdale snubs Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohamed Salah while naming toughest Premier League opponent
Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has snubbed Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah while naming his toughest Premier League opponent. The former Sheffield United shot-stopper named Leicester City's veteran striker Jamie Vardy as the most difficult opponent he has faced thus far.
Since joining Arsenal last summer, the 23-year-old has been formidable for the Gunners. He has pulled off some fabulous stops to deny some of the top forwards in the league and managed to keep 11 clean sheets in 22 games. In the process, he has let in just 20 goals.
However, Ramsdale has ignored the duo while picking his toughest opponent in the English top flight. He picked Vardy as the toughest opponent he has come across.
In this regard, Ramsdale told Tubes & Ange Golf Life (via SportBible):
“The one I hate playing against most is Jamie Vardy. The guy just doesn’t stop running. I’d love to have him on my team, hate playing against him. I’ve played against him five times now; he’s scored four times.”
The 35-year-old Leicester forward has been one of the top goalscorers in the Premier League for the Foxes over the years.
Ramsdale on his toughest opponent: "The one I hate playing against most is Jamie Vardy. The guy just doesn’t stop running. I’d love to have him on my team, hate playing against him. I’ve played against him five times now, he’s scored four times" https://t.co/6IW5yUfH93
In 376 career appearances across competitions for Brendan Rodgers' side, he has scored 159 goals, including 128 strikes and 40 assists in 263 Premier League games.
Despite being hampered by injury this season, the striker has still managed 10 goals in 18 Premier League appearances. Vardy was the protagonist of Leicester City's unexpected 2015-16 Premier League triumph, scoring 24 goals in 36 games. He has also been capped 26 times for England, scoring seven goals, but called time on his international career in 2018.
Jamie Vardy has an impressive record against Aaron Ramsdale's Arsenal in Premier League
The Gunners host the Foxes this Sunday (13 March) in the Premier League, with both teams in need of a win.
Jamie Vardy has an impressive record against them, having scored 11 times in 14 league appearances. It is the club he has scored the most goals against, with two of those strikes coming in his last five games against them.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has guided his team to fourth spot in the league. They are in the driving seat in the race for UEFA Champions League football next season. The Gunners are ahead of Manchester United, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur and have games in hand over the trio.
The Gunners are looking to return to the Champions League for the first time in five years. However, they can ill afford to slip up against a Leicester side who are looking to climb back up the table after faltering in recent months.
Brendan Rodgers' side's demoralizing 4-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest in the fourth round of the FA Cup in early February was a wake-up call. The Foxes have since been on the road to recovery, winning four of their next seven games across competitions.
🗣 "What a game."
Nottingham Forest eliminate FA Cup holders Leicester at the Fourth Round stage ❌ https://t.co/bbYEeXVmiJ
They currently sit mid-table in 12th position, but have a game in hand over Aston Villa who sit above them.