Why Bernd Leno's Arsenal exit may give Aaron Ramsdale reason to worry
- Leno previously axed by Mikel Arteta in similar circumstances to Ramsdale
- The German goalkeeper started three games before losing place at Emirates
- Fulham eventually came calling to sign Leno for £8m on three-year contract
By 90min Staff
The dropping of Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has dominated back page headlines for the past few weeks - and his future may be bleak if his situations turns out to be anything like former teammate Bernd Leno.
Ramsdale replaced Leno as Arsenal's starting goalkeeper at the beginning of the 2021/22 season, with the German cast to one side and restricted to just four Premier League starts.
Once it became clear that Leno would not get his place back under Mikel Arteta, he left the club on a permanent basis to join Fulham, where he penned a three-year deal to succeed Alphonse Areola as the Cottagers' new number one.
Leno had spent three years as Arsenal's starting goalkeeper, making 117 appearances in all competitions, but featured just eight times in his final season in north London.
Ramsdale has not definitively been told he's second choice goalkeeper at Arsenal now, but he has been relegated to bench duty behind David Raya, who joined on loan from Brentford in the summer.
28-year-old Raya has started Arsenal's last eight Premier League games and is also holding court in the Champions League - Ramsdale, meanwhile, has been restricted to appearing in the Carabao Cup; a competition the Gunners crashed out of at the fourth round stage after losing to West Ham United.
Ramsdale's father has criticised the treatment of his son, and Arteta - who has publicly stated that there's no preferred number one - appears to have previous in terms of not communicating with his goalkeepers why they have been replaced.
Speaking to SportBild in 2021 about his demotion, Leno said: "There was no clear reason why I was out, but it had nothing to do with my performance. He is the trainer, he decides. Of course, it’s difficult for me.
"Only if nothing changes in my situation by winter would I have to think about things: what option do I have, how can I continue? I’m concentrating on my work in training; I can’t commit to anything else at the moment."
Ultimately, Leno didn't get his place back in Arsenal's starting lineup and the rest is history. Ramsdale will be hoping he doesn't suffer the same fate, particularly as a place in Gareth Southgate's England squad for 2024 could be on the line.
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