Arsenal reluctant to let goalkeeper leave in January

Arsenal will be looking to return to winning ways when they host Sheffield United on Saturday afternoon.

The Gunners were victorious in the Champions League earlier in the week, beating Sevilla 2-1, but last weekend Mikel Arteta’s side rescued a point against Chelsea after going 2-0 down.

Goals from Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard saw the Gunners draw 2-2 against their London rivals at Stamford Bridge.

The draw sees them sit third in the Premier League table with 21 points from nine games, behind Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.

In recent weeks, there has been significant discussion around the goalkeeping position at The Emirates, with new signing David Raya having seemingly replaced Aaron Ramsdale as first choice.

Ramsdale had therefore been linked with a move away from the club, but it appears that Arsenal will stand firm.

Ramsdale has featured in four of Arsenal’s nine Premier League games so far this season

According to Football Insider, Arsenal are unwilling to let Ramsdale leave the club during the upcoming January transfer window.

The report claims the club will not sanction a move, even if the player wants to leave the Emirates for regular playing time.

Ramsdale, 25, joined the North Londoners in 2021 from Sheffield United after an impressive season with the Blades.

Arsenal paid an initial £24m for him with a potential of an extra £6m in add-ons.

The 25-year-old has played regularly for the Gunners for around two seasons, but the arrival of Raya from Brentford this summer has seen the ‘keeper lose his starting spot.

Arteta is unwilling to let the England international leave this winter as he believes that having two first-team quality goalkeepers battling each other for one spot helps create healthy competition within the team.

The goalkeeper signed a contract extension in May and is tied to the club until 2026.