Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has offered advice to Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, encouraging him to emulate Harry Maguire’s resilience at Manchester United.
Ramsdale lost his starting position to David Raya this season after Arsenal signed the Spanish goalkeeper from Brentford during the summer transfer window. Despite manager Mikel Arteta’s plan to rotate goalkeepers, Ramsdale has found himself linked with a January transfer to clubs like Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
Souness, writing in his column for the Daily Mail, emphasized the need for Ramsdale to face the challenge head-on and prove his worth.
He referenced Harry Maguire’s experience at Manchester United, where the defender overcame criticism and disappointment to reclaim his spot in the team. Souness urged Ramsdale to take inspiration from Maguire’s journey, emphasizing that the situation with Arteta’s preference for Raya can evolve.
The Liverpool icon highlighted the mental toughness required for Ramsdale to navigate this challenging phase. Souness acknowledged that Ramsdale hasn’t consistently made significant errors leading to his exclusion from the starting lineup. He emphasized the unpredictable and sometimes unfair nature of top-level sports, noting that it’s solely Ramsdale who can address the perceived injustice, not his father, referencing a recent podcast appearance by Ramsdale’s dad.
Additionally, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry weighed in on the situation, expressing uncertainty about Ramsdale’s capability to lead the Gunners to a league title.
Henry emphasized the inevitability of competition at a big club and suggested that players dissatisfied with competition might need to leave. Drawing parallels with Phil Foden at Manchester City, Henry highlighted the reality that significant clubs continuously seek to strengthen their squads, and players must be prepared to compete or face potential replacements.
In essence, both Souness and Henry underscore the challenging mental and competitive aspects of top-level football, advising Ramsdale to confront the situation, prove his abilities, and embrace the competition that comes with being part of a prestigious club like Arsenal. The commentary from these football legends provides insights into the complexities and demands faced by players navigating through phases of uncertainty and competition in their careers.
