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Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has admitted that the World Cup might come too soon for him to challenge for England’s number one shirt.
THE LOWDOWN: IMPROVING RAMSDALE
Ramsdale joined Arsenal from Sheffield United last year and many mocked the Gunners for paying such a fee for the young goalkeeper.
Ramsdale was on the bench in his first two league games but replaced Bernd Leno following Arsenal’s 5-0 loss against Man City at the time.
The Englishman became number one from that point and made 39 appearances for Arsenal during his debut season. The 24-year-old proved a lot of his doubters wrong in 2021/22 as he was one of the signings of the season.
His performances last season earned him a call-up to the England national team and he has been a regular face in the set-up since then.
In the current campaign, he has been a regular and has played a part in Arsenal’s rise to the summit of the Premier League log.
THE LATEST: SHORT WINDOW
Aaron Ramsdale believes that the World Cup in Qatar is coming “six months too soon” for him to “really challenge”.
The 24-year-old is expected to be at this winter’s World Cup and compete for a place with Jordan Pickford and Nick Pope.
Pickford is Southgate’s first choice at the moment and the Everton star has done well this term. Meanwhile, Ramsdale is aware that he will likely be a backup to Pickford at this winter’s tournament.
“I think the World Cup personally is six months too soon for me to really challenge,” Ramsdale admitted on the Yours, Mine, Away podcast.
“I’ve said this a few times, it’s not really for people to go: ‘Oh no, you should be number one.’
“I’m being realistic, I’ve played three times for England with a World Cup coming in six weeks. I’m not really going to play.
“But that’s not me throwing the towel in. I’m fighting to be that starting goalkeeper. But if I’m not, I’ll support whoever is the best that I can.”
THE VERDICT: QUITE TRUE
Gareth Southgate is unlikely to change his mind ahead of the World Cup unless there is a significant injury or situation that will rule Jordan Pickford out of contention.
Ramsdale’s time in the national team has been short and understands that quite well. He can only hope for the best in Qatar and see if he will be given a few minutes in some of the games.
