‘REASON BEHIND OUR SUCCESS ‘: Aaron Ramsdale reveals the driving force behind Arsenal’s success and opens up on the title race
Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has spoken about the success of this season so far and the driving forces behind the squad.
The England international has been a key part to Arsenal’s impressive form this season, keeping 11 clean sheets so far, just one less than Newcastle’s Nick Pope, who is currently leading the race for the golden glove.
The shot-stopper signed in the summer of 2021 from Sheffield United and quickly integrated into the side, pushing Bernd Leno out of the picture.
It was a cruel end to Ramsdale’s first season, missing out on top four to Tottenham after a flurry of poor results in the final few games.
Arsenal’s number one opened up to the media about the end of last season and how it’s motivated the team to push on this year:
“What’s driving us on is the scars of last year — no one has forgotten about what happened. That’s obviously a big driving force in this team. It hurt a lot — especially as it was to the other lot down the road, which made it even worse for our fans and for us.”
The Gunners this year look like a completely different side with a new infused mentality to win without limit to success.
The introduction of players such as Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jorginho has boosted Arsenal not just on the field but in the dressing room with their extensive list of honours.
Ramsdale pinpointed the success of the new recruits as a positive force for the squad:
“We have experienced players who have been there and done it at multiple different Premier Leagues, Carabao Cups, FA Cups, European Championships. We’ve been there and done it — some of the players, and others are 20, 21, 22 playing the best football of their career and carrying this football team forward.”
Following the phenomenal 4-0 win against Everton on Wednesday night, Arsenal went five points clear of City with 13 games to go as the race is truly on for the title.
Naturally, Ramsdale was quizzed on what’s its like at the top and the pressures that come with performing every week with the end in sight.
“It’s an enjoyment and because not a lot of us have been here before, we don’t really know how to handle it, we’re just going in and playing the games as if we were 10th, 12th, whatever.
We’re going out to play with our group of team-mates and try and win as many games as possible. And when you play here at this stadium, or even away, the fans…honestly it’s so much easier to play when things are going well, and we’re relishing it.”
Relishing it is an understatement, and it’s leaving us dreaming of our great club going all the way this season with an utterly admirable set of players.
