Aaron Ramsdale, 25, started the season in goal for Arsenal, but has not played in the Premier League since the 3-1 win over Manchester United on September 3; David Raya is on loan from Brentford, with the north London club holding an option to purchase the Spaniard in the summer
Thursday 19 October 2023 12:30, UK
Aaron Ramsdale feels it is "strange" how much attention is being paid to his battle with David Raya to be Arsenal No 1 - but admits he fears for his England future if he does not win it.
The 25-year-old signed a new contract last season but has found himself on the bench after summer signing Raya broke into the side and has started just once - a Carabao Cup win at Brentford - since mid-September.
Ramsdale picked up his fourth senior England cap in the 3-1 friendly win away to Scotland last month but was an unused substitute in the recent victories over Australia and Italy.
"There's a lot of attention and it's a position which is famously said; 'if you're not spoken about means you've done a good job', and there's a lot of talk at the minute.
"Whether it is me or David who plays we need to be able to just focus and play but at the same time, it's a strange, big headline... we have to deal with it and that is what we are doing."
In a recent interview, Raya said the pair were "mates" who had a good relationship, a sentiment echoed by Ramsdale.
"If we didn't get on it wouldn't work. We work professionally really well together," he said.
"There's days where I come in and I'm down because of the situation and he picks me up and for whatever reason there might be a day where he's down and even though I'm suffering and hurting for not playing I have to stand up and be able to push him."
Ramsdale is all too aware that his place in Gareth Southgate's squad could come under threat if he remains sidelined at Arsenal.
"For me I need to get back into my club team to keep getting picked [for England] and keep giving the manager a headache because if I'm not, then that's an easier decision for him," said Ramsdale.
"It is [a worry], it is the first time I have found myself in this situation. The [England] manager is brilliant, he trusts the players he's worked with before as we've seen in different types of ways.
"You'll see Kalvin [Phillips] and Harry [Maguire] haven't played the most minutes but when they step up for England and are given the opportunity, they perform."
David Raya is ahead of Aaron Ramsdale at Arsenal and despite a nervy display against Manchester City, the stats show why Mikel Arteta wants him in goal.
