Arsenal

Arsenal

Premier League • England

Unorthodox Edu approach sees Arsenal star labelled ‘signing of the season’

Aaron Ramsdale celebrating with Ben White after Arsenal game

One pundit reckons Arsenal man Aaron Ramsdale should be up there as one of the signings of the season, following his exceptional debut campaign with the Gunners.

Ramsdale suffered consecutive relegations from the Premier League with Bournemouth and Sheffield United. Despite this, Arsenal chief Edu and manager Mikel Arteta decided to part with £30million to sign him.

Many Gunners fans were not convinced, and believed Ramsdale was not the solution to replacing German goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

But the 23-year-old has been one of their top performers this season, becoming a fan favourite in the process.

He has kept 11 clean sheets in 21 league outings so far, helping Arsenal to reach sixth place after 24 matches. They are still in the hunt for Champions League qualification are just two points behind fourth-placed Manchester United.

Ramsdale pulled off arguably the save of the season during Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Leicester City in October. Foxes ace James Maddison sent a curling free-kick towards goal, but Ramsdale somehow pushed it onto the crossbar. He kept out Jonny Evans straight after, too.

The reaction stop led Peter Schmeichel to tweet: “Best save I’ve seen for years from Ramsdale.”

Arsenal ‘saw resilience’ in Aaron Ramsdale

And pundit Karen Carney thinks Ramsdale has been one of the signings of the season.

“I read that the reason they signed him was probably the reason why everyone thought ‘don’t sign him’,” Carney told Premier League Productions (via the Express).

“Arsenal said that he had back-to-back relegations but they saw resilience in him and it didn’t fear them, it actually made them want to sign him and they knew he could bounce back.

Guendouzi will leave Arsenal this summer following successful Marseille loan

Guendouzi will leave Arsenal this summer following successful Marseille loan

Arsenal will sell Guendouzi this summer after a successful loan at Marseille

“They knew that he could shout, he could command, he could lead and nothing fazed him.

“That’s why they went after him, the character. I thought that was really interesting because if I was recruiting I’d be going ‘back-to-back relegations, I’m not so sure’ but it actually went in his favour.

“Arguably the signing of the season, maybe. For the impact he’s had, he’s been brilliant.”

Barcelona enter talks over Arsenal target

Meanwhile, Barcelona are reportedly preparing a summer move for Arsenal and United target Ruben Neves.

Wolves want £40million for the influential midfielder, and both Premier League sides are monitoring his situation.

But according to the Daily Mail, Barca have begun talks with intermediaries over a summer swoop for the Portuguese.

Neves currently has more than two years left on his contract. That puts Wolves in a strong position when negotiating their asking price for the player.

The star’s agent is Jorge Mendes. He finalised a loan move for Adama Traore to join Barca recently, and 24-year-old Neves could soon follow.

READ MORE: ‘Clear message’ on shaky Arsenal deal sent to give Mikel Arteta yet more concerns