Mikel Arteta insists he wants Aaron Ramsdale to stay at Arsenal, but admitted he can't rule out the goalkeeper leaving amid his links to Newcastle.
Aaron Ramsdale has lost his position as the Gunners’ first-choice goalkeeper, with David Raya preferred after his arrival on loan from Brentford.
Since September 3, Ramsdale has made just three appearances – two of which came in the Carabao Cup, with his one Premier League game in that time coming with Raya ineligible in Arsenal‘s 1-0 win against the Bees.
With his place at Euro 2024 in the balance as he continues to warm the bench at the Emirates Stadium, Ramsdale’s future is seemingly up in the air.
Arteta recently urged Ramsdale to be patient over any decision, saying the situation could look very different in March.
A shoulder injury to England colleague Nick Pope, however, could see Newcastle in the market for another goalkeeper in January.
Asked if he would be open to selling Ramsdale to Newcastle, Arteta replied: “I want Aaron with us.”
“I am very happy to have two very, very good goalkeepers and Aaron is staying with us.”
“We want to be better, so we want to add to what we already have. That’s the intention that we have.”
But, when pushed on whether he would categorically rule out a January switch for Ramsdale, the Spaniard added:
“I won’t do that to any player. Any player.”
“I cannot tell you that any Arsenal player is not going to leave in January. Or he is to stay here for the next three years.”
“I won’t say that no player is going to go to Newcastle. Or no member of the staff either. I won’t say it. If you say yes or no, I won’t say it.”
“I cannot guarantee that nobody is going to be leaving in January. For Newcastle or any other club. So it is a no.”
