‘Phenomenal’ – Ferdinand heaps praise on Arsenal’s ‘inspired signing’

Rio Ferdinand believes England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has been an “inspired signing” for Arsenal as his form has been “phenomenal” this season.

After having spells at AFC Bournemouth and Sheffield United, the 23-year-old signed for Arsenal during the summer transfer window.

The Gunners splashed out a fee that could rise to £30m to bring in Ramsdale.

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The Londoners were questioned at the time for spending a fee of this magnitude for the goalkeeper.

But Ramsdale has silenced his doubters this term. He has been one of the standout players in the Premier League.

His form for Arsenal led to him making his senior debut for England earlier this month.

Speaking via his Vibe with Five YouTube channel, Ferdinand suggested that Ramsdale’s six clean sheets in ten games is “phenomenal”:

“Ramsdale has been an inspired signing.

“There were a lot of people doubting him. He has had two or three relegations in his career already, in his young career. The saves that he is making on a regular basis, he is actually enabling Arsenal to keep clean sheets.

“Six clean sheets in 10 games is phenomenal.”

Jamie Carragher has admitted that he was “wrong” about Arsenal signing Ramsdale:

“The keeper, I mean if I’ve ever been wrong about a player more than Aaron Ramsdale. I don’t know who it is yet.

“It’s still early days. I remember that last-minute goal vs Crystal Palace and he ran from one end of the other to get involved with the celebrations.”

Carragher believes players like Ramsdale, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe can turn Arsenal into a side to challenge for trophies:

“It reminds me a little of us at Liverpool with Gerard Houllier where he got rid of (Paul) Incey, Phil Babb, (Jason) McAteer, Robbie Fowler – that sort of Roy Evans era,” he added.

“Then it was like me, Danny (Murphy), Stevie Gerrard, Michael Owen, John Arne-Riise, a few foreign players, this young team coming together.

“We never won the league or the Champions League. But we won a few trophies and that’s the team I’m most fond of when I look back at my career because there’s nothing better than playing with your mates.

“I think these (Arsenal) lads over the next two or three years will need more to win the league or Champions League. But could be winning a couple of FA Cups or Carabao Cups.”