Aaron Ramsdale opens up about the classy message received from Arsenal rival David Raya

Aaron Ramsdale shared that his Arsenal competitor, David Raya, was one of the first to reach out with congratulations upon the news of his transfer to Southampton.

The England international played a key part in helping Arsenal establish themselves as title contenders under Mikel Arteta and looked set to spend the peak years of his career in north London after signing a new long-term contract 18 months ago.

Arteta’s shock decision to recruit Raya and drop Ramsdale at the start of last season ultimately saw the former Bournemouth goalkeeper depart the north London club in the summer.

Southampton are now the beneficiaries of Ramsdale’s obvious talent and the 26-year-old is now looking forward to his first return to Arsenal since his emotional exit.

While the Saints continue to struggle at the bottom of the table, Arsenal are again thriving with Raya a central part in the success they have enjoyed in recent weeks.

Ramsdale insists there was never a problem between the two and revealed he was annoyed their supposed rivalry got built up into something it wasn’t.

‘It used to do my head in coming off the pitch and then my wife would say you were on TV five times today,’ Ramsdale told BBC Sport.

‘Why ever someone would then pan to me after someone makes a save or a goal goes in and it pans to me on the bench. I do think the story was bigger than what it needed to be.

‘I think it put pressure on David at times as well. I did an interview with David Seaman after my new contract. I said I wanted to emulate him an be there for eight to 10 years and a couple of months later I was out of the team.

‘I tried my hardest to dislodge David I do think now the rewards are showing. He’s started the season incredibly well. He was actually the first person to text me from Arsenal after my move here.

‘He was great and he was top. Like I say he’s made some big, big saves this season and kept them in some games. Just desperate he doesn’t have one of those games on Saturday.’