Thierry Henry and Graeme Souness clash on major Arsenal change amid exit rumours

Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has advised Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to take inspiration from Harry Maguire’s experience after losing his starting position to David Raya this season. 

Arsenal’s decision to bring in Raya from Brentford during the summer transfer window raised eyebrows, with manager Mikel Arteta indicating that he would rotate both goalkeepers throughout the season.

Despite this, Ramsdale has only played twice since Raya’s debut in September, featuring exclusively in the Carabao Cup. 

Speculation about a potential January transfer has arisen, with Chelsea and Bayern Munich reportedly expressing interest in acquiring him from the Emirates Stadium.

Souness, however, encourages Ramsdale to remain with Arsenal and emulate the approach taken by his compatriot Maguire at Manchester United by persevering and competing for his position.

 Writing in his column for the Daily Mail, Souness said: “It is time for Aaron Ramsdale to do his own fighting, rather than his dad doing it for him after his appearance on a podcast this week.

“The Arsenal goalkeeper has to show what he is made of and deal with the situation in which he finds himself. 

“Mikel Arteta fancies David Raya more than he does Ramsdale right now, but that can change. I would ask him to look at the example of Harry Maguire.

“He took all the criticism on the chin, all the disappointment. He dealt with it and finds himself back in the team at Manchester United.

“For Ramsdale, this is a tough mental challenge. He cannot point to anything he’s done wrong on a consistent basis that has cost him his place in the team.

“Sport at the highest level can be cruel and can be seen to be unfair. But there is only one person who can right that perceived injustice—and it’s not Ramsdale’s dad.”

Thierry Henry, a legendary figure at Arsenal, has recently weighed in on the situation, expressing uncertainty about whether Aaron Ramsdale possesses the quality to lead the Gunners to a league title. 

The Frenchman suggested that players should consider departing if they find themselves discontented with the level of competition at a major club.

 “You are at a big club. Competition will happen,” Henry explained on the Rest Is Football Podcast.

“I am not the coach of Arsenal, but Mikel Arteta went to get a guy that he thinks will win him the title. Ramsdale was seen as the guy to get us in the top four again and Bernd Leno went to Fulham.

“That is the story of football. I can understand with the new generation but there is something that will never change at a big club, you have got to compete. If you don’t compete, someone is going to come.

“If you take Phil Foden, he is a very good player but Manchester City keep buying players. You are at a big club and that’s how it is, and if you are not happy at the big club, then you have got to go.”

Nick Ramsdale, the father of Aaron Ramsdale, shared his son’s disappointment at being benched by Mikel Arteta during an appearance on The Highbury Squad podcast. 

The discussion shed light on Aaron’s feelings about the decision made by the Arsenal manager.

Regarding the whole controversy, Ramsdale senior said: “Aaron’s lost that smile to when he was holding onto that ball at this moment in time.

“And it is difficult. It really is difficult to see him there and we all keep saying you need to keep smiling.”

Thierry Henry and Graeme Souness clash on major Arsenal change amid exit rumours