Gary Neville admits Arsenal star has ‘stunned’ him and feels he’s nearing massive accolade

Gary Neville has admitted he has been “stunned” by the performances of Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, who he feels is nearing the England no.1 spot.

Four years ago, Ramsdale played all but one game in net for Bournemouth as they were relegated from the Premier League. The following season, he did not miss a game for Sheffield United as they suffered the same fate.

Off the back of successive relegations from the Premier League, his career could have been resigned to ruin. Had nobody taken a punt on him, he might have endured a life of struggling to stay afloat in the top flight year on year.

Arsenal did take a punt, though, snapping him up from the South Yorkshire side for £24million. He quickly became the Gunners’ no.1, taking that spot from Bernd Leno.

Ramsdale has since made his England debut, maintained his role as Arsenal’s first-choice keeper and could win the league in that role this season – quite the turnaround from back-to-back relegations.

He’s been in line for a lot of praise this season, unsurprisingly given he’s kept the third-most clean sheets in the league, with 12.

Recently, that praise was for his role in Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool. We’ve reached crunch time in the title race and each point is important – Ramsdale saved a point as he kept out a late barrage from the Reds.

Following that game, to criticise a signing.

Gary Neville has since piled praise on Ramsdale, too.

“He’s shocked me, him. I thought that was an incredible signing, to lose Leno and to lose [Emiliano] Martinez obviously to Aston Villa,” he said on Sky Sports.

Neville believes if he continues in this form, he might be able to usurp Jordan Pickford of his role as England’s no.1.

“I’m stunned in the way in which [he’s playing], he’s now pushing Jordan Pickford [for the England No.1 spot] I would imagine very close,” he added.

Roy Keane also commended the Arsenal goalkeeper, not only for his performances, but his sense of personality.

“You can talk about technical ability, but it’s how they react particularly to disappointment.

“And as I say, what’s come across – he looks like a really big, important personality in that dressing room and that’s vital.”