Ian Wright hailed Aaron Ramsdale for ‘saving’ Arsenal at Anfield and says his heroics against Liverpool could be crucial in the Premier League title race.
Ramsdale made a string of important saves to limit the damage for Arsenal, who led by two goals only to be pegged back by Jurgen Klopp’s side.
The Premier League leaders made a superb start to Sunday’s fixture, scoring two goals in the first 28 minutes through Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus.
But Mohamed Salah pulled a goal back for the hosts before the break and Liverpool dominated the second half, with Roberto Firmino’s late header earning a share of the spoils.
It would have been even worse for Arsenal had it not been for an inspired Ramsdale, who denied Salah, Darwin Nunez and Ibrahima Konate to ensure the Gunners avoided defeat.
‘I love Aaron Ramsdale,’ Wright said on BBC’s Match of the Day 2. ‘If Arsenal win the title, it’s because of these saves.
‘We could easily have lost this game with those chances in the second half. If you’re going to win trophies, you need a top goalkeeper and he is a top goalkeeper.
‘He saved us today, he absolutely saved us.’
While Arsenal failed to restore their eight-point lead over title rivals Manchester City, Wright believes the Gunners ‘should be happy’ with a point against Liverpool.
Arsenal’s last league victory at Anfield came in 2012 – when current manager Mikel Arteta was in the centre of midfield.
‘I am delighted with that result,’ Gunners legend Wright added.
‘A lot of teams go to Anfield and struggle. We should be happy with that point, we’ve got to take that and be pretty happy.’
Arteta also hailed Ramsdale after the thrilling draw at Anfield and described his performance as ‘superb’.
A number of pundits questioned Arsenal’s £30m move for Ramsdale in 2021 but the former Sheffield United goalkeeper has exceeded expectations in north London, establishing himself as one of the best shot-stoppers in the Premier League.
‘He was superb again today,’ Arteta said. ‘You need your goalkeeper at Anfield.
‘It’s a shame that we could not get the win after how we started. The big lesson is in the first half that they came here and played with that personality.’
Arsenal, who last won the Premier League in 2004, continue their title challenge against London rivals West Ham next weekend.
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