Wayne Rooney has heaped praise on Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, saying he is a ‘big fan’ of the 24-year-old and comparing him to Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel. When Arsenal spent £30m to sign Ramsdale from Sheffield United in 2021, eyebrows were raised as he had been relegated from the Premier League twice. However, Mikel Arteta put his faith in Ramsdale at the start of last season and the goalkeeper quickly began to prove his doubters wrong, impressing with his shot-saving and ball-playing abilities. Ramsdale has been one of Arsenal’s key players this term, helping the Gunners mount a surprising Premier League title challenge and move four points clear of defending champions Manchester City.
Schmeichel is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the history of the Premier League, having won five league titles, three FA Cups and the Champions League during his spell at Old Trafford. Rooney said: ‘I’m a big fan of Aaron Ramsdale. Despite his slip-up against Southampton, he has made a number of fantastic saves and played with huge presence. Normally, with goalkeepers, you want them to have character and presence but you want them to have calmness as well. If you’re going to be as vocal and extrovert as Ramsdale, you have to back it up with your performances, because otherwise it all looks a bit cocky. Well, he does and he reminds me of Peter Schmeichel. Obviously, Ramsdale has to keep improving to get near Schmeichel’s levels but the whole package makes him the closest thing I’ve seen for a long time to the Great Dane.’
Ramsdale and Arsenal will be desperate to boost their fading Premier League title hopes on Wednesday when they face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Pep Guardiola’s side, who have two games in hand, beat Sheffield United 3-0 on Sunday to reach the FA Cup final as they chase a historic treble.