Credit: Imago
Credit: Imago

Arsenal scout the next Aaron Ramsdale, he fits Mikel Arteta's philosophy 'perfectly'

Harri Burton

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

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Mikel Arteta might have stumbled across Aaron Ramsdale's regen after Arsenal sent scouts to the Bundesliga ahead of January.

Ramsdale has recently taken the No.1 shirt at Newcastle United, replacing the ever-present Nick Pope between the sticks, and escaping Southampton after their relegation.

The 27-year-old is only on loan, though, having failed to find a permanent home after suffering the fate of relegation on three different occasions, with three different clubs.

It remains to be seen if the Magpies will strike a deal for the shot-stopper in the summer, especially with Newcastle eyeing up a deal for James Trafford, but he has fit in well at St James' Park.

As a goalkeeper who is extremely comfortable with the ball at his feet, the 27-year-old has the potential to play regularly across Europe and the Premier League, just not for the Gunners.

Arsenal could be about to sign Aaron Ramsdale 2.0

David Raya is Arsenal's No.1, already notching eight clean sheets in the league this season, winning the Golden Glove in each of the last two campaigns at the Emirates Stadium.

A shot-stopper who is also capable in possession is exactly the kind of figure that suits Arteta's style of play, and according to Sport (10 December), Borussia Dortmund loanee Diant Ramaj fits "perfectly".

It is understood that the Gunners have already sent scouts to watch the 24-year-old in action multiple times, having been sent out on loan to Heidenheim for the 2025-26 campaign.

While he has yet to keep a clean sheet in the Bundesliga this season, much like Ramsdale previously, the goalkeeper is facing a major relegation battle at the bottom of the table.

Diant Ramaj is compatible with Ramsdale

Upon closer inspection of the goalkeeper's stats, as per FBref, Ramaj is a very similar profile to Ramsdale, and a move to the Emirates Stadium would be rather fitting for the Germany youth international.

Comparing the two, Ramaj has a 1.2 per cent better save percentage, and both are extremely involved in the play, often helping to create attacks, while he also boasts a six per cent higher rate of crosses stopped.

It is clear why Ramsdale is his ninth-most compatible goalkeeper, and with the Gunners sending multiple scouts, the London club obviously see something special in him, much like they did with their former goalkeeper.

Sadly, the current Southampton loanee lost his spot in the starting lineup to Raya, who is now quickly becoming one of the best in England, but with very little back-up behind him.

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