Aaron Ramsdale has endured a tricky start to life with Southampton while David Raya has flourished with Arsenal(Image: Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images)

Arsenal vindicated in £25m transfer decision as Southampton give Edu January boost

Despite some initial debate, Arsenal have been vindicated in the decision to sell Aaron Ramsdale in £25m deal ahead of his return to the Emirates Stadium

05 Oct 2024, 06:00 by Tom Canton · football.london

Arsenal enjoyed a busy transfer deadline day, although the hectic nature of the 24 hours might not have been enjoyable for the likes of sporting director Edu Gaspar. Plenty of business both with incomings and outgoings was completed and the club made a significant amount of money through sales.

Among the many that left, Aaron Ramsdale was sold to Southampton for £18million with add-ons potentially seeing the fee rise to as much as £25million with only a small amount reliant on the Saints staying up. The keeper now returns to make his first appearance at the Emirates Stadium since his move to the south coast.

Just over a year ago this entire scenario was perhaps unthinkable. Ramsdale finished the season having helped his side qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in many years but was immediately relegated to the bench after the arrival of David Raya.

One season of being the number two was enough and he and Arsenal worked together come the window’s conclusion to find a way to make an exit happen. The amount the Gunners got was a point of debate considering Ramsdale’s former role and subsequent promotion to the England squad but with the season having allowed time to see both Raya and Ramsdale’s trajectories diverge there is a sense of vindication about the deal.

Another season behind Raya would not have done anything to the former Sheffield United man’s price tag, nothing that would have benefited it at least. A loan might have been argued to improve it but that too, if it didn’t go well, could have been a question mark as to what the Gunners might have got in the summer of 2025.

Neto was signed from Bournemouth on deadline day on loan until the end of the season. A Premier League proven stopper who will not need to play too many games during the season, touch wood, and should he be forced to can offer a solid level of quality to Arteta.

Next summer, Arsenal then have a whole summer to assess options to sign a backup. Joan Garcia was certainly a key target but were unwilling to match Espanyol’s price expectations but could return again come the season’s conclusion.

After Raya won the spot in the PFA Premier League team of the year, the accolade Ramsdale got the year before, it looked only more like justification of the decision but also support to the idea that the defence in front of the Arsenal keeper, whoever they were, had a big advantage. That was until the start of this season when saves against Wolves, Aston Villa, Atalanta and Manchester City created a season’s worth of highlights in just four games.

The fact Raya cost just around £30million including the loan fee looks a bargain when compared to deals for Andre Onana, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Robert Sanchez. The comparative quality is night and day and the Gunners have benefitted both in the present and are sure to in the future with the low money spent on players a potential boost to hopes of January reinforcement considering the financial freedom the club is sure to have.

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