Mikel Arteta insists Aaron Ramsdale remains a part of his plans at Arsenal despite the goalkeeper’s lack of football this season.
Ramsdale has lost his place in the Arsenal side to summer signing David Raya and has not featured in the Premier League since the 3-1 win over Manchester United on September 3.
The 25-year-old has been unable to break back into the team despite an unconvincing start for Raya in north London, leading to speculation he could depart in the January transfer window.
Chelsea are among the clubs who have been linked with a potential move for Ramsdale, who could seek a first-choice role to keep alive his ambitions of representing England at Euro 2024.
“Well, first of all my door is open to speak about any player,” Arteta said at his press conference ahead of this weekend’s fixture with Burnley.
“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, 10 or 14 players. It is impossible. So you need everyone and Aaron has a really important role in the team.”
Asked if he had a ‘hands off’ message for rival clubs, Arteta added: “I have no messages for any clubs. 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.”
