Jamie Carragher has praised Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale’s performance against Liverpool in Sunday’s 2-2 draw and says he was completely wrong to criticise the signing.
The 24-year-old may have conceded twice but he played a key role in ensuring the Gunners left Anfield with a point, making a string of fine saves – particularly late on in the second half.
He denied Darwin Nunez when the Uruguayan was clean through one-v-one, produced a magical stop to claw away Mohamed Salah’s curling, deflected effort and did remarkably well to prevent Ibrahima Konate from finding a close-range winner at the death.
When Ramsdale first joined Arsenal, however, the club were criticised for spending so much money – around £24million – on a player who had suffered successive relegations with Bournemouth and Sheffield United.
Carragher was among the many pundits who criticised the deal, though he has now conceded that he was wrong to do so and feels Ramsdale has emerged as a top player and key part of Arsenal’s title push.
‘Listen, we all say different things at different times and you’re proven wrong about managers, players, certain teams,’ said Carragher on Sky Sports.
‘I don’t think I’ve ever been more wrong – or certainly this season proven wrong – [than] by Aaron Ramsdale.
‘I watched him at times obviously with different teams where he goes down, you see lots of goals go in, you think, “Can the keeper do better there?”
‘And then when Arsenal bought him I was scratching my head. I’ll be honest, I could not believe it when they bought him.
‘But how he’s overtaken [Bernd] Leno – he’s had to move on – and his position in the England squad now as well.
‘But the role he has, not just as a goalkeeper, he’s a personality. The crowd feed off him. And at times that can maybe cross a line and he gets involved in things that maybe he shouldn’t.
‘But you see his reaction when Mo Salah misses the penalty, he’s right in his face. He’s fast, he’s confident, he’s cocky.
‘As I’ve said, I can’t believe what I’ve basically seen this season and the role he has played in this Arsenal title charge.’
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