Aaron Ramsdale has made a name for himself as one of the finest ball-playing goalkeepers currently playing between the sticks in the Premier League. Arsenal signed the 24-year-old in the summer of 2021 because of his ability with his feet as much as his hands.
Mikel Arteta's desire to build a side adept at playing out from the back paved the way for Ramsdale to become the club's No. 1, replacing Bernd Leno who was deemed surplus to requirements. However, despite demonstrating his ball-playing prowess throughout this season for the league leaders, Ramsdale's dad regularly 'threatens' to text Arteta over his insistence on playing this style of football.
The 'keeper admitted his dad Nick 'hates' watching his son trying to build attacks from inside his own box. While Ramsdale has rarely shown signs of dropping clangers, there are still enough hairy moments for his dad to be given the frighteners.
READ MORE: What Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko did with Chelsea ace Mykhailo Mudryk in Ukraine training
"He still hates it, absolutely hates it," Ramsdale told ESPN. "He still threatens to text Mikel [Arteta].
"The only problem is if I push it too far saying 'go on then, you won’t do it,' he actually will because he’s got his number! I’ve got to play that one really carefully."
The England international admitted this side of the game did not come naturally, and that he had to improve to get to the stage he has reached today. "It wasn’t something that naturally came to me," he added.
"I was released from Bolton for my height and not being able to kick the ball. So it’s not something I’ve always had and a huge credit to Sheffield United and coaches at youth age with England when I first got into the system.
"They just mentioned training with the outfielders or to sharpen up a little bit more than what you would do at the football club. I used to go and help coach the younger goalkeepers on Tuesday and Thursday nights for a little bit more money when I was a youth-team player and I’d also join in with the U16s in possession stuff and play as an outfielder.
"That just got me a little bit more comfortable on the ball and being able to play off both feet. It is something which has always been developing."
While Ramsdale's ability on the ball has caught the eye, it can be easy to overlook the value he has added from a simple shot-stopping point of view. The Gunners have conceded just 26 goals from 28 league games this campaign, with only Manchester City and Newcastle conceding fewer.
Originally signed as a back-up to Leno, it took just three games at the start of last season for Ramsdale to displace his senior counterpart. Arteta's decision appears to have been vindicated as his side are just 10 games away from a first Premier League title since 2004.
The 24-year-old's performances this season saw him pick up the Goalkeeper of the Year Award at the London Football Awards ceremony last week. Following the ceremony, Ramsdale outlined his dream of becoming a club legend at the Emirates Stadium and hopes to stay at Arsenal for the rest of his career.
"It was a difficult period, moving club to club and before that going on loan," he said. "I never imagined leaving Bournemouth after a year, never imagined leaving Sheffield United after a year.
"This is a place now where I can see myself for 10, 12, 15 years. That's the aim, that's the goal, to stay at the top for that amount of time. Hopefully I'll never have to leave and become a real hero and legend at this football club."
READ NEXT:
The eight games Erling Haaland could miss with groin injury to hand Arsenal Premier League title
Arsenal issue major Takehiro Tomiyasu injury update as Mikel Arteta dealt title race blow
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal get last laugh over Antonio Conte as Tottenham make major sack decision
Barcelona star Gavi could become Mikel Arteta's surprise Arsenal transfer this summer
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
