Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has offered advice to Aaron Ramsdale, suggesting that he should contemplate leaving the Gunners after losing his position as the starting goalkeeper to David Raya.
Ramsdale had established himself as the preferred choice of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta in the previous season, surpassing Bernd Leno, who subsequently departed Arsenal to join Fulham. During that season, the 25-year-old impressed by keeping 15 clean sheets in 41 appearances across various competitions for Arsenal and contributing to the team’s qualification for the UEFA Champions League.
However, in the current season, Ramsdale lost his starting role to Raya, despite initially starting in Arsenal’s first five games and winning the Community Shield. Raya, who arrived at the North London club on loan from Brentford, has managed to maintain four clean sheets in six appearances for Arteta’s side and seems to have become the new first-choice goalkeeper ahead of Ramsdale.
Thierry Henry believes that Ramsdale faces a decision of competing with Raya for the number one position or seeking opportunities at another club in the upcoming transfer window, similar to what Leno did by moving to Fulham. Henry acknowledged that at a big club, competition is a fundamental aspect that players must accept, and if they are dissatisfied, they may need to explore other options. He drew parallels with how Manchester City continuously acquires players, and even a talented player like Phil Foden needs to embrace the reality of competition within a big club.