05 December 2023 , 09:22
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Mikel Arteta says he wants Aaron Ramsdale to remain at Arsenal but refused to rule out selling the goalkeeper in January.
Ramsdale has lost his spot as Arsenal's No.1 to new signing David Raya, who joined the club on loan from Brentford with an option to buy. Since Raya made his Gunners debut against Everton in September, he has started every Premier League and Champions League match he has been eligible for.
As a result, Ramsdale has been linked with a move to Newcastle after their first-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope suffered a shoulder injury that is expected to keep him out of action until April. When asked about Ramsdale's future, Arteta said: "I want Aaron with us.
"I am very happy to have two very, very good goalkeepers and Aaron is staying with us. We want to be better, so we want to add to what we already have. That's the intention that we have."
However, he also categorically refused to state that Ramsdale would not be sold to Newcastle in January, adding: "I won't do that to any player. Any player. I cannot tell you that any Arsenal player is not going to leave in January. Or he is to stay here for the next three years.
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"I won't say that no player is going to go to Newcastle. Or no member of the staff either. I won't say it. If you say yes or no, I won't say it. I cannot guarantee that nobody is going to be leaving in January. For Newcastle or any other club. So it is a no."
Ramsdale has admitted he is concerned his lack of game time at Arsenal could see him "fall by the wayside" with England ahead of Euro 2024, while comments from his dad criticising Arteta will surely not have helped matters.
Aaron Ramsdale has been linked with a January move to Newcastle (Getty Images)Do you think Aaron Ramsdale should leave Arsenal? Let us know in the comments below!
Speaking on The Highbury Squad last month, Nick Ramsdale said: "Aaron is going to be the cup goalkeeper, and David Raya is going to be the main man unless something happens, an injury or a sending-off.
"Aaron's got to live with that and he is living with that even though he's not been told it. By anybody. You've got to give the guy a chance for God's sake. Even though the way it's been done, in my eyes, it's been wrong and we can talk about that but it's the decision.
"Aaron’s lost that smile to when he was holding onto that ball at this moment in time. And it is difficult. It really is difficult to see him there and we all keep saying you need to keep smiling."