Aaron Ramsdale: Southampton goalkeeper left Arsenal for more game time
Southampton and England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has said he left Arsenal because he did not “want to win trophies if I was sitting on the bench”.
He joined Southampton from title-challengers Arsenal this summer in a £25m move on a four-year contract.
Last season David Raya replaced 26-year-old Ramsdale as the Gunners’ number one.
The former Bournemouth and Sheffield United keeper made just six Premier League appearances that season, but has started Southampton’s past four top-flight matches.
“If I was sitting on the bench, it [winning a trophy] wouldn’t have meant that much to me,” Ramsdale told BBC One’s Football Focus when asked about his move.
“I just wanted to play football. As a kid I wanted to play football to play, not to just sit on a bench.
“Getting out and playing was my aim so I’m lucky I found myself here at Southampton.”
Southampton, in 19th, travel to third-placed Arsenal in their next match on Saturday, 5 October (15:00 BST).
