Ramsdale said it was during that pre-Euros camp that Saka spoke about the news of Arsenals’ interest and helped in convincing him
By Kehinde Okeowo
Arsenals’ first-choice goalkeeper, Aaron Ramsdale has said contrary to what a lot of people might think, he decided to join The Gunners after speaking with Bukayo Saka and not the Manager, Arteta.
He further revealed that the Arsenal forward convinced him to make the switch from Sheffield United to the Emirates last summer, while they were on England duty.
England boss Gareth Southgate invited four Arsenal players for the most recent international break, but it was a different story during the Euros last summer.
While Ben White and Emile Rowe Smith joined Aaron Ramsdale and Bukayo Saka this time around, only Saka and Ramsdale made the cut at the time.
ALSO READ: Liverpool go top after edging past Watford
However, according to Ramsdale, it was during the pre-Euros camp that Saka spoke about the news of Arsenals’ interest and helped in convincing him to join the club.
“It wasn’t Mikel Arteta, to be honest – it was Bukayo (Saka),” Ramsdale said.
“I heard rumours that Arsenal were interested in me when I was at the camp before the Euros, and Bukayo had mentioned that he and the boss had been talking about me.
“As the transfer window gathered pace, I went back to Sheffield United and there were bids getting rejected.”
Ramsdale also said, when Arsenals’ bid was finally accepted, Arteta told him that he was not considering him as a back-up plan, saying his goalkeepers will need to earn the shirt.
He added “When one was accepted, I finally spoke to the manager & he told me “We don’t see anyone as #1 or #2.”
“He told me that it might take a year to win the main shirt. The manager’s great – you can speak to him about anything.”
