Arsenal custodian Aaron Ramsdale wants to be England’s number 1 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He was a late call up by England manager Gareth Southgate for the European Championships after Dean Henderson’s withdrawal due to injury. Although he is yet to make his senior debut for the Three Lions, he has hopes of overtaking Everton custodian Jordan Pickford to the top spot before the World Cup.
Even after the Euros, the 23-year-old received another call up in the World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Hungary. Southgate was massively impressed by the young custodian during his Sheffield United days. His heroics with the Blades also raised Arsenal’s interest this summer and eventually, Ramsdale landed at the Emirates. But now the young custodian feels that he is capable of earning the top spot for England in the next year’s World Cup.
The youngster was not in a good headspace as Sheffield United was relegated and the England U-21 team suffered an early exit at the U21 Euros. Hence the England callup for the European Championships came as a shock for Ramsdale.
Opening up on his England call up for the European Championships, the 23-year old custodian said, “Me and the Mrs were going to go on holiday and go and chill. The next thing you know, I’m in the squad, I’m fully part of it and it was some of the best weeks of my life!”
Despite not playing Ramsdale had a great experience with the players in the dressing room as England went all the way to the finals. The Three Lions agonisingly lost on penalties against eventual champions Italy.
“I keep saying it was a great lad’s holiday,” he added. “That’s just the team spirit we had, and we were just a few kicks away from achieving something great.
“It’s just added momentum and hunger to do well in the World Cup and hopefully I can be a part of that again and hopefully that’ll be to do with a starting role.”
Ever since the 5-0 thrashing against Manchester City, Ramsdale has replaced Bernd Leno between the sticks for Arsenal. He is also a major part of Arteta’s rebuilding team has been a vital cog in Arsenal’s turnaround from a horrific start to the campaign.
Despite his good run of form in the Premier League, Ramsdale will face stern competition for the top spot at the World Cup. Jordan Pickford has been Southgate’s main man and he has picked the Everton custodian even when the form was not on his side. Apart from Pickford, goalkeepers like Nick Pope who already has seven starts will also be in the mix. Lastly, Sam Johnstone has also started the season well with West Brom and can be a contender for the top spot.
