Gareth Southgate has praised Aaron Ramsdale’s latest performance as the Arsenal goalkeeper pushes to become England’s number one.

After a strong display for England keeping a clean sheet against Italy, Aaron Ramsdale drew praise from his international manager Gareth Southgate.

“Today Aaron Ramsdale did very well and made a couple of important saves, his composure with the ball is what we hoped,” Southgate said.

Ramsdale is making a push to become England’s first-choice goalkeeper before the World Cup later this year, and he told talkSPORT that he thinks he’s now pushing Jordan Pickford for the spot.

“By no means I am second choice,” Ramsdale said. “I am pushing me, I am pushing him [Pickford].

“If I can put performances in like that a little bit more when I get the chance, I think I will be pushing him all the way.

“The challenge is amazing and trying to put in performances like that whenever I play will only push Jordan. I was happy with a few saves and the clean sheet.”

Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has also weighed in to suggest Ramsdale should probably be ahead of Pickford at this stage, despite the latter’s solid international performances.

“I think he is (England’s number one),” Wilshere argued. “And that’s harsh, because Pickford hasn’t done anything wrong in an England shirt.

“But if you’re picking it on the season they’ve had, I’d go Ramsdale.”

Ramsdale certainly had a strong season overall, with goalkeeper analyst John Harrison recently reporting that the 24-year-old was worth around seven more goals to Arsenal than the average Premier League goalkeeper.

It will certainly be interesting to see whether or not Pickford reclaims his starting position in the side against Hungary on Tuesday.

Ramsdale didn’t do anything to deserve being dropped in his match against Italy, but leaving Pickford out would send a message that his place is under threat.