Mikel Arteta has urged Aaron Ramsdale to remain patient in his quest to regain his place as Arsenal's starting goalkeeper and not entertain the idea of a January exit.
Ramsdale was dropped in favour of David Raya earlier this season and the England international has managed just two cup appearances since early September, instead being forced to watch on from the sidelines in both the Premier League and Champions League.
Chelsea are among the sides to be keeping track of Ramsdale's situation at Arsenal. The 25-year-old was initially happy to ignore the interest in favour of fighting for his future at the Emirates, and while that stance has not yet changed, Ramsdale may be forced to consider his options if he continues to struggle for minutes in the build-up to Euro 2024 next summer.
Earlier on Friday, England manager Gareth Southgate confessed he could not guarantee a spot in next summer's squad for Ramsdale if he remains on the fringes.
"There is a reality as a keeper, if we get to March and he’s six months without playing regularly, then I’m never going to promise things that I couldn’t guarantee delivering," Southgate said.
In response to Southgate's concern, Arteta warned Ramsdale against rushing a January exit from Arsenal and instead urged the stopper to keep fighting.
"First of all my door is open to speak about any player," he said. "We just want the best for our players and we try to do that, and we know the influence that we can have – sometimes positively, sometimes not so positively, towards them.
"We will always try to do our best to help them, but this is a team sport that needs 24 players that have to fulfil a role. And the role that you have in August, it might be very different to the one you have in March.
"So making early decisions, in my experience, is not something good at all and as well because the team has certain needs that has to be accomplished. And in order to do that you cannot do it with six, ten or 14 players. It is impossible. So you need everyone and Aaron has a really important role in the team.
"I have no messages for any clubs [who are interested in Ramsdale]. I can talk a little bit about my players, how much I like my players, how much I like Aaron and that we want Aaron with us, that’s for sure."
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This article was originally published on 90min as Mikel Arteta sends Aaron Ramsdale warning over January Arsenal exit.