Aaron Ramsdale left Arsenal in the summer
Aaron Ramsdale left Arsenal in the summer
David Seaman said that he encouraged Aaron Ramsdale to "have a belter" in a match against Arsenal earlier this season.
The 61-year-old former England goalkeeper has developed a close bond with Ramsdale over time, particularly since the 26-year-old shot-stopper was a regular at the Emirates from 2021 to 2024. Seaman is even rumoured to have given Ramsdale some informal training sessions at London Colney after he first arrived in North London.
Ramsdale made 89 appearances for the Gunners following his transfer from Sheffield United, which cost up to £24million. However, his stint with Mikel Arteta's side ended this summer when he transferred to Southampton, with new signing David Raya becoming the Spanish manager's preferred choice.
Despite Ramsdale's departure from Arsenal, it seems Seaman has kept in touch, revealing that he sent the keeper a supportive message before Southampton clashed with the Gunners in the Premier League in October. On the Seaman Says podcast via Betway, Seaman explained: "I texted him before the game.
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"I said, 'brilliant interview on Sky', because I watched that one, and I said 'play your game and have a belter'. I really wanted him to have a belter because no matter what the score was, I wanted him to play well," reports Football London.
Arsenal emerged victorious with a 3-1 win, and Seaman expressed his admiration for Ramsdale's standout showing despite the score. He added: "With the second goal, when the cross came in, there were two of them going for it so he had to make sure that the first one didn't head it first, and then he had to adjust to the other one.
"It's so close to him by that time, you're hoping it hits you because you haven't got time to react. It was a good finish. The only thing that people might question is that it was his near post, but he had no time to react at all because it was so close. But he made saves as well. I was happy for him, but he's let three in."
Seaman offered advice to Ramsdale in October ( Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
During the encounter, Cameron Archer tipped the scales in favour of the Saints, placing them ahead with an impressive goal from the left-hand side 55 minutes into the game. The lead was short-lived, though, as Kai Havertz swiftly equalised for Arsenal just three minutes later, breaking through and unleashing a powerful shot past Ramsdale, who was hindered by limited visibility.
Gabriel Martinelli nudged Arsenal in front shortly after the hour mark, converting Bukayo Saka's cross towards the back post with 68 minutes on the clock. And it was Saka himself who put the final stamp on the game, clinching Arsenal's win two minutes before the end of normal time.
Leandro Trossard made a relatively unchallenged run through the centre of the pitch on the counter-attack until he neared the edge of Southampton's area. It was then that Joe Aribo managed to momentarily dispossess Arsenal in a desperate attempt. However, the ball eventually rolled towards Saka's feet, who seized the opportunity and struck it first time to bring the score to 3-1.
Ramsdale will now have to bide his time until May to hopefully settle scores with his former team, as Arsenal and Southampton are not scheduled to face each other in the league until the season's final match on May 25.