Aaron Ramsdale’s time at the Emirates is swiftly coming to an end with the 26-year-old closing in on a permanent move to Southampton this summer.
It was a sorry end for a player who exhibited immense leadership qualities in the starting XI. The English international dreamt of playing for a top Premier League club and during his time here, he was nothing short of a perfect goalkeeper. The crowd loved him for wearing his heart on the sleeves.
Ramsdale changed the way the fans used to examine a goalkeeper, it was not their most vulnerable position anymore. He injected confidence at the back and how can we forget the jaw-dropping performances that he displayed for Mikel Arteta’s side?
Let’s take a look at the five legendary saves that defined Ramsdale’s time at Arsenal:
1. The one against James Maddison
Leicester City 0-2 Arsenal, PL 2021-22 season
The talented shot-stopper’s invincible saves in this match pushed him towards the title of being the best goalkeeper in the Premier League. The fans witnessed one player stopping the entire opposition from getting past him.
Arsenal were leading with two goals and Leicester started a bombardment of attacking moves. Rasmdale made a total of eight saves in the game- the best one being the save against James Maddison.
Ramsdale will forever be remembered at Arsenal for this save…
pic.twitter.com/FlvisgOXvS https://t.co/KXok1dRE5L— 🥤𝑩𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒔 (@_Afcbanks) August 29, 2024
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The midfielder’s towering free-kick was tipped onto the bar by the Gooner before standing like a wall and stopping another follow-up by defender Jonny Evans.
A brave display by the ace goalkeeper.
2. The one against Mohamed Salah
Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal, PL 2022-23 season
It was the game in which Rasmdale gave his best performance for Mikel Arteta, the two colossal match-winning saves. The North London side was running low in confidence as Liverpool continued to push for a winner.
However, Ramsdale kept out a deflected shot from attacker Mohamed Salah before saving another attempt by defender Ibrahima Konate from point-blank range.
He made sure that his Gunners could snatch at least a point from this tough contest. It was an important game in the buildup to the title and the manager owes the senior star for saving his team.
A brilliant @AaronRamsdale98 save against Mo Salah, one year ago today 👏pic.twitter.com/PuZXapwnMA
— Gunners (@Gunnersc0m) April 9, 2024
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3. The one against Ryan Sessegnon
Tottenh*m Hotspu*r 0-2 Arsenal, PL 2022-23 season
Arsenal were comfortable at the top of the table during this season but had to face a tough test against Spurs. It was not a routine game for them since they had a chance to extend their presence at the top of the PL table.
Although the visitors were cruising with two goals to nil, their North London rivals made sure that they gave a befitting reply in the second half.
Ramsdale was there to respond to every ball kicked towards him. He made an astonishing seven saves. His full stretched left-handed diving save to deny Ryan Sessegnon remains the top pick.
Save after save after save 🙌@AaronRamsdale98 👏 pic.twitter.com/OYYDBpt0KK
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 17, 2023
Such was his aura in the game that the Spurs’ fans couldn’t control their emotions at full-time. The shot-stopper’s wild celebrations triggered a fan to kick him after the match.
Imagine standing tall and mocking the entire rival fan base at their stadium.
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4. The one against Maxwel Cornet
Burnley 0-1 Arsenal, PL 2021-22
Minuto 59′
Gabriel desarma Vydra no meio da grande área. Cornet aproveita a sobra e finaliza. Tomiyasu e White saem do meio onde a jogada acontecia para tentar bloquear, mas não conseguem impedir a finalização. Ramsdale espalma a bola dando um salto. pic.twitter.com/ZVGVVOovAT— Arsenálise (@ArsenaliseBR) September 21, 2021
Rasmdale made his second appearance for the Gunners against Burnley and kept his second clean sheet in the process. Martin Odegaard‘s goal kept the visitors on bay but it was the goalkeeper’ three top saves that denied the Clarets a chance to equalise.
He punched away a curling shot sent in by debutant Maxwel Cornet before escaping a penalty via a foul on Matej Vydra. His performance in this match further solidified his position in Arteta’s squad which has started to draw admirers in the Premier League.
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5. The one against Lucas Moura
Arsenal 3-1 Tottenh*m Hotsp*r, PL 2021-22
Possible save of the season contender from Aaron Ramsdale pic.twitter.com/C9ntwtnCqM
— exalted (@exaltedfootball) September 26, 2021
Just his fourth game as a Gooner and he was already a fan favourite. He made three saves in this North London derby match and the one against Lucas Moura being a top draw.
Rasmdale saved the Brazilian’s deflected attempt and made sure that the home side won comfortably in the end. Winning such important clashes gives the fans a sense of belief in their defence. The 26-year-old gave them every reason to bet on him. He was slowly turning into a beast at the Emirates.
