Aaron Ramsdale admitted he wasn’t expecting the reception he got from Arsenal’s away fans against West Brom on Wednesday night.

25th August 2021 The Hawthorns, West Bromwich, West Midlands, England EFL Cup Football, West Bromwich Albion versus Arsenal Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal celebrates his team& x2019s first goal after 17 minutes 0-1 from Aubameyang Copyright: Graham Wilson
25th August 2021 The Hawthorns, West Bromwich, West Midlands, England EFL Cup Football, West Bromwich Albion versus Arsenal Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal celebrates his team& x2019s first goal after 17 minutes 0-1 from Aubameyang Copyright: Graham Wilson

It’s safe to say that Aaron Ramsdale’s signing hasn’t been greeted with universal approval in the Arsenal fanbase. In fact, it’s been so bad that some ‘fans’ were even abusing the goalkeeper before he pulled on an Arsenal shirt.

Making his debut against West Brom on Wednesday night in the Carabao Cup, Ramsdale was assured and did what was asked of him without fuss or flap.

After the game, Ramsdale was asked about teh reception he got from Arsenal fans.

“Yeah, [it was] special,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting the reception I got, so a big thanks to the fans for that. A packed away end on a Wednesday night in the second round of the Carabao Cup shows the passion that the supports have and we put on a good performance for them. As debuts go, it’s one of the better ones.”

So how did he rate his own performance? “I did what I needed to do, you know? There’s more to come in possession, but it’s not too much of a change of system from Sheffield United – but it is more ball-related. We were asked to play out at my old club, but here it’s definitely the philosophy, so I can get better on the ball. I’ve had a few days of training with the team and I was happy, made some saves and did what I needed to do. I’m in goal and first of all, you [need to] keep the ball out of the back of the net, and that’s what I’ve done.”

Asked about the game, he replied, “We were dominant throughout. Obviously West Brom had made changes but you’ve still got to beat what’s in front of you and I think we’ve done that brilliantly. We’ve passed the ball, the movement from the front four, the lads who came on and it’s topped off with some special goals. Auba’s taken the matchball home and it’s a good night all round.”

Ramsdale finished his debut with a Fotmob rating of 8.2, behind only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (9.7), and Nicolas Pepe (9) and level with Bukayo Saka.

Arsenal will play AFC Wimbledon at the Emirates on or around 22 September.

Carabao Cup 3rd round draw in full:

  • QPR vs Everton
  • Preston vs Cheltenham
  • Manchester United vs West Ham
  • Fulham vs Leeds
  • Brentford vs Oldham
  • Watford vs Stoke
  • Chelsea vs Aston Villa
  • Wigan vs Sunderland
  • Norwich vs Liverpool
  • Burnley vs Rochdale
  • Arsenal vs AFC Wimbledon
  • Sheffield United vs Southampton
  • Man City vs Wycombe
  • Millwall vs Leicester
  • Wolves vs Tottenham
  • Brighton vs Swansea