David Seaman believes Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has what it takes to turn out to be Gareth Southgate’s first-choice goalkeeper for England.
Arsenal sit 5 factors clear on the prime of the Premier League and their thrilling attacking gamers have drawn loads of plaudits for what has seen an unlikely title tilt turn out to be a season during which Mikel Arteta’s aspect are actually favourites to elevate the trophy.
However Ramsdale has additionally shone, retaining 11 clear sheets as an ever-present in a marketing campaign which is shaping as much as be remembered as the primary time Arsenal received the league in 19 years.
Seaman received three league titles throughout a trophy-laden 13-year stint with the Gunners and now works part-time as a goalkeeping coach below Arteta’s regime.
“Folks overlook he’s solely 24,” Seaman advised the PA information company.
“So that’s superb for me as a result of I didn’t be part of Arsenal till I used to be 26 – what he’s doing now at 24 is simply phenomenal.
“There’s an indication exterior the dressing room, written on the wall: ‘That is our time’ and that’s precisely what it’s. It’s their time proper now. By no means thoughts what’s gone on earlier than, they’ve acquired an opportunity of creating it their time.
“The mentality is correct on the membership now – I feel that’s why you see all that pleasure, particularly after the last-minute objective to beat Bournemouth on Saturday.
“Everyone went loopy as a result of they know what it means. As a result of there are a lot of that haven’t been there earlier than they’re so enthusiastic about it, however it’s about retaining that calmness as effectively.”
The three-2 victory over the Cherries, having been two objectives behind, was an exciting afternoon on the Emirates Stadium.
Reiss Nelson got here off the bench to attain a nice stoppage-time winner, however Ramsdale additionally performed his half as he saved the hosts within the sport with two nice stops.
“He’s making huge saves on a regular basis,” Seaman, who can even be goalkeeper coach for the England workforce on this yr’s Soccer Help, added.
“There was one on Saturday at 1-0 that was world class. It wasn’t like a flying save or something like that however it was a very technical piece of goalkeeping, which he did brilliantly, and he’s been doing that every one season.
“There’s a confidence constructing in him and it’s a calm confidence, as a result of as a goalkeeper, you possibly can’t be like flying right here, there and in every single place and ranting and raving – though Peter Schmeichel made a great profession doing that!
“In my profession I used to be completely the alternative, I used to be laid again and I wasn’t a shouter on a regular basis, so there’s other ways and I feel Aaron – he’s acquired a great combine and it’s his personal combine as effectively.”
Seaman collected 75 England caps having made his worldwide debut in 1988 – however Ramsdale is having to be affected person in his try to determine himself as Gareth Southgate’s primary.
Having made his bow within the 10-0 thrashing of San Marino in October 2021, Ramsdale has solely been capped twice extra – together with a 4-0 defeat to Hungary in a Nations League conflict at Molineux.
“Does he deserve extra caps? Positively,” mentioned Seaman.
“He solely has three and he must construct on that as a result of he has to have the ability to really feel snug enjoying at that degree.
“Jordan Pickford has been good in an England shirt, you possibly can’t doubt that. I wouldn’t think about Gareth is considering having one other primary in the mean time.
“I think about that Aaron will probably be primary at some stage and eventually will get that chance.
“It’s completely different ranges. When he was at Sheffield United and Bournemouth lots of people mentioned that was a adverse as a result of he’d been relegated twice and I used to be like: ‘No, that is enjoying below stress, like large stress, the stress of getting relegated’.
“He’s acquired a unique stress now however he’s a large character, particularly within the dressing room and on the pitch, he’s nonetheless making these huge saves and his focus ranges are immaculate.”
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