If Arsenal sell Illan Meslier, there is one obvious goalkeeper solution fans would love
Arsenal’s goalkeeper situation has been a strange one this summer.
Signing Illan Meslier in the first place raised eyebrows, given that they already have Kepa Arrizabalaga as their second choice goalkeeper.
Meslier’s performances in pre-season, however, have quietly built a case for him to be a more dependable number two than Kepa.
Peculiarly, Meslier could now leave the club already, with Marseille targeting him in the final days of the window.
If he does leave, and the club still want to loan out Tommy Setford to aid his development as was originally intended, they may dip back into the goalkeeper market.
We can’t help but turn to one obvious solution in that case.
Arsenal should consider bringing Aaron Ramsdale back
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is in a strange situation right now at Southampton.
The England international is clearly good enough to be playing regularly in the Premier League, but the Championship side want to sell him to clear his £120,000-a-week wages off the books.
Southampton signed Ramsdale from Arsenal in 2024 for £18million when they were still in the Premier League.
Now, he is available, he is proven, and Arsenal fans are still really fond of him.
Ramsdale was named in the PFA Team of the Year in 2022-23, the season before David Raya arrived.
He is an established Premier League goalkeeper who knows Arsenal’s system, the squad, and the club’s culture.
There would be zero adjustment period as he would slot straight back in as Raya’s deputy.
Arteta’s choice to upgrade to Raya was received with mixed response from the Arsenal fanbase at the time. It didn’t feel an area of weakness.
However, it’s fair to say that has since been vindicated, and then some. Raya has gone on to become one of the best goalkeepers in the world, winning three consecutive Premier League Golden Glove awards.
Ramsdale, however, is stuck and unwanted in the Championship after Newcastle opted not to make his loan move last summer permanent.
Arsenal may even be able to get him back on a cut-price deal. His value may have dropped significantly but he is certainly better and more dependable than Meslier and Kepa.
Would Aaron Ramsdale want to return to Arsenal?
The obvious question mark, however, would be whether Ramsdale would be willing to come back and accept a backup role.
That was the reason he left Arsenal in the first place — to go to a club where he would be the number one.
His pride, understandably, may have taken a hit from the way his exit was handled, but he would have to return as Raya’s understudy.
If no suitable number-one opportunity materialises before the deadline, then maybe it is something he would be up for.
A Premier League winner’s medal was agonisingly close in 2022-23 and 2023-24. If Ramsdale can set his pride aside for one season, he could be able to finally win one.
Admittedly, it is quite a left-field idea. But it is also an obvious one. And Arsenal fans would love it.
