Aaron Ramsdale becomes emotional after Arsenal fans’ heartfelt gesture on his return to Southampton.
Aaron Ramsdale brought to tears by Arsenal fans’ tribute during his return to Southampton
Aaron Ramsdale moved from Arsenal to Southampton in a £25 million summer transfer, but despite the switch, he received a warm reception from Arsenal fans when he returned to the Emirates Stadium.
Ramsdale was visibly emotional after the Arsenal supporters warmly welcomed him back during Southampton’s visit for a Premier League match. He joined Southampton late in the summer transfer window and may not have been sure of the reception he’d receive. However, fans who arrived early for the 3pm kick-off greeted him with cheers during his warm-up, moving the former Arsenal goalkeeper. The crowd chanted his name in the final minutes of added time, and many stayed to give him a standing ovation after Arsenal’s 3-1 victory.
Having made 89 appearances for Arsenal, Ramsdale left because he wanted regular first-team action, after losing his starting role to David Raya. Rather than remain on Arsenal’s bench, he chose to play regularly at Southampton, a struggling Premier League side.
In an interview with Football Focus, Ramsdale said, “If I was sitting on the bench, winning a trophy wouldn’t have meant that much to me. I just wanted to play football. As a kid, I wanted to play, not just sit on the bench. Getting out and playing was my goal, and I’m lucky to be here at Southampton.”
Ramsdale had a strong first half in the match, making key saves, including stopping a low shot from Thomas Partey. Arsenal struggled to break through in the first half, but Bukayo Saka made an impact in the second, assisting Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli before scoring himself.
Ramsdale left Arsenal on good terms, with manager Mikel Arteta giving him his blessing. Ramsdale told talkSPORT that Arteta thanked him for his contributions, acknowledging the role Ramsdale played in helping the team get back into the Champions League and pushing for trophies. Despite leaving, the two remain in contact, and Ramsdale looked forward to his return to the
Emirates.
