Former Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, now at Southampton, is set to miss several weeks of action after undergoing surgery on his finger.
Southampton manager Russell Martin confirmed the news, delivering a double injury blow for the Saints with defender Jan Bednarek also facing time on the sidelines.
The injury were sustained during the international break, forcing Ramsdale to return early from England duty before featuring in any match, while Bednarek had to be withdrawn at halftime during Poland‘s Nations League defeat to Portugal.
Ramsdale had not missed a minute of Premier League action since his debut for Southampton against Brentford in August.
“They’ll both be out for this weekend and a number of weeks,” said Martin. “Aaron has had an operation on his finger; he’ll hopefully be back before Christmas. Janny B was really worried about his knee, but thankfully it’s not as serious as we feared. He should be back a week or two earlier than Aaron.”
Both players have been crucial in Southampton’s defensive setup this season, and their absence will be a significant blow to a team struggling at the foot of the Premier League.
Southampton have endured a tough start to the campaign, amassing just four points from 10 matches. Ramsdale has conceded 21 goals, managing only a single clean sheet as the Saints sit at the bottom of the table. The former Arsenal goalkeeper, who was once seen as a mainstay for Mikel Arteta‘s side, has faced difficult circumstances since his summer move.
“They’ve been two of our best players all season,” Martin acknowledged. “It will affect the team, but it’s an opportunity for others to step up.” The manager did offer some relief with the return of other squad members, adding: “Ryan Fraser and Kamaldeen are back properly now. Everything else is pretty much the same.”
Reflecting on his departure from Arsenal, Ramsdale made it clear he harbours no resentment. Following his contract extension in 2023, Ramsdale appeared destined for a long spell with the Gunners. However, the arrival of David Raya led to him losing his place, eventually resulting in his transfer to Southampton.
“I’ve been around football long enough to know the manager’s decision is final,” Ramsdale said. “I tried my best to change his mind, but his mind was set, and David had a great season. When someone else is delivering, you just have to take it on the chin.”
Ramsdale expressed his gratitude for his time at Arsenal, appreciating the mutual respect between himself and Arteta. “What he did for me in my time at Arsenal, I can only thank him for, and he thanked me for my contribution as well. There’s no bad blood; you move on, and restart your career again,” Ramsdale added.
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