Wayne Rooney has revealed he is a “big fan” of Aaron Ramsdale, with the Arsenal goalkeeper reminding him of Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel.
Ramsdale has been a busy man in recent weeks as Arsenal have looked increasingly vulnerable in defence, producing a brilliant display at Anfield to keep Liverpool at bay and ensure the Gunners at least returned to London with a point.
The 24-year-old was less impressive on Friday night against Southampton, gifting the visitors the lead inside the opening minute at the Emirates as he passed the ball straight to Carlos Alcarez and was unable to keep out the shot that followed.
Arsenal were unable to save the situation despite rallying to a 3-3 draw, and they will have to beat Manchester City at the Etihad on Wednesday night to keep the Premier League title race in their hands.
Despite that error, Rooney has hailed the Arsenal goalkeeper and compared him to Schmeichel, who won five League titles as a United player in the 1990s.
“I’m a big fan of Aaron Ramsdale,” Rooney wrote in The Times. “Despite his slip-up against Southampton, he has made a number of fantastic saves and played with huge presence.
“Normally, with goalkeepers, you want them to have character and presence but you want them to have calmness as well.
“If you’re going to be as vocal and extrovert as Ramsdale, you have to back it up with your performances, because otherwise it all looks a bit cocky.
“Well, he does and he reminds me of Peter Schmeichel. Obviously, Ramsdale has to keep improving to get near Schmeichel’s levels but the whole package makes him the closest thing I’ve seen for a long time to the Great Dane.”
