Aaron Ramsdale Will Play Against Brentford But Could It Be His Last EPL Game For Arsenal?

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Aaron Ramsdale will start in Saturday's Premier League game at Brentford. It could be Ramsdale's last EPL match for Arsenal.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Aaron Ramsdale will start in Saturday's Premier League game at Brentford.

Ramsdale featured in all 38 of Arsenal's EPL matches last season and was later voted into the PFA Team of the Year.

However, the arrival of David Raya from Brentford in August has seen Ramsdale's role reduced to that of a back-up goalkeeper.

Aaron Ramsdale will play his first Premier League game in 10 weeks on Saturday :: IMAGO/Sportimage/Darren Staples

Since Raya made his debut for the Gunners on September 17, Ramsdale has not played one minute of Premier League soccer.

Indeed, he is only going to get into Arteta's starting XI on Saturday because Raya is on loan from Brentford and therefore not permitted to play against his parent club.

But Arsenal are expected to agree a deal with Brentford to sign Raya on a permanent basis in January.

🚨 Understand Arsenal have decided to seal David Raya deal in 2024 — it’s all guaranteed as buy option clause will be triggered for £27m.

Raya already signed potential long-term contract as #AFC player for June 2024 — all done. 🔴⚪️

Brentford accepted this structure due to FFP. pic.twitter.com/59eBNip3iK

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 23, 2023

Assuming that deal goes through, Raya should be available to face Brentford when they visit the Emirates Stadium in March.

So if Raya stays fit, Ramsdale may not be needed to play for Arsenal again in the Premier League beyond Saturday.

It is very possible that Saturday's game could prove to be Ramsdale's last ever EPL outing for the Gunners.

He is widely expected to leave the Emirates Stadium in 2024 - either in January or at the end of the season.

This weekend's game against Brentford could be Ramsdale's last in the EPL for Arsenal :: IMAGO/Sportimage/David Klein

Former England and Arsenal keeper David Seaman recently said that Ramsdale is "too good" to be a no.2.

Another ex-England stopper, David James, thinks that Ramsdale should try to get out of Arsenal sooner rather than later if he wants to lock down a place in his country's Euro 2024 squad next summer.

Speaking at a Football Rebooted event this week, James said: "If he has any chance of giving Gareth Southgate a headache over goalkeeping selection, he won't be doing that sat on the bench at Arsenal.

"He might have to have a conversation with Mikel and his agent and see if there's an opportunity for him to play the rest of the season somewhere else."