Paul Merson has backed Aaron Ramsdale to win Arsenal's player of the season award following an impressive 2021/22 campaign.
The England international was signed for a reported £24million last summer, a price that raised fans' eyebrows following back-to-back relegations with Bournemouth and Sheffield United. However, he proved doubters wrong by establishing himself as one of the first names on the Gunners ' teamsheet, registering 14 clean sheets across all competitions.
That kind of form meant he was one of six Arsenal players nominated for the club's player of the season award, joining Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Martin Odegaard, Granit Xhaka and Emile Smith Rowe on the shortlist. Now, Gunners hero Merson has backed the talented goalkeeper to win the award, claiming that the 24-year-old should pip young winger Saka, who won the award last season.
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Writing for Sportskeeda, Merson said: “I could’ve just as easily gone with Bukayo Saka here, but Aaron Ramsdale has been exceptional. He’s had a couple of shaky performances, but he’s exceeded expectations and has been outstanding in most of the games he’s played.
When Arsenal were chasing him around last year, I was sitting here wondering why they wanted a goalkeeper who’d let in more goals than anyone else in the last three years. Arteta got it right here, and Ramsdale’s made me eat my words.”
"Bukayo Saka was a close second to Aaron Ramsdale and has been a revelation for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta. He's been a threat in the final third and has enjoyed a great season."
Merson then went on to name French frontman Alexandre Lacazette as the one player who wasn't good enough, with the former Lyon star netting just four Premier League goals in his final season at the club. The Arsenal legend added: " I thought Alexandre Lacazette would kick on after Aubameyang left, but he didn't really get going.
"He's a much better player than his performances this season have shown him to be. Arsenal have been linked to Gabriel Jesus and I think he'll be a great fit alongside Eddie Nketiah, who's going to get better.
"Arsenal will have to pick a new captain next season, and I think it'll probably be Ben White. They need a player who can lead on the pitch with his performances, and White fits the bill."
Despite Merson's vociferous Ramsdale opinion, when polled recently football.london readers overwhelmingly backed Bukayo Saka as Arsenal's best perfomer this season, as the England star took 58.7% of the vote, with Ramsdale trailing in third with just 15.7% of the votes.
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