Aaron Ramsdale says he wants to become an Arsenal legend after a turbulent period in his career before moving to the Premier League leaders.
The goalkeeper, 24, had changed clubs six times when he landed in north London two years ago and has produced a number of memorables performances having finally been able to settle down with one team.
With the potential for a first major career title on the horizon, Ramsdale has revealed his desire to stick around at Arsenal for decades to come.
“It was a difficult period moving club to club, even before that going on loan,” he told BBC London.
“I never imagined leaving Bournemouth or Sheffield United after a year but this is a place I can see myself at for 10, 12, 15 years.
“That’s the aim, that’s the goal: to stay at the top for that amount of time. Hopefully I’ll never have to leave and I’ll become a hero and legend at this football club.
“From the first phone call from the first day [Mikel Arteta] said be yourself, that I don’t need to shy away from speaking up. So the first day I came in I knew a couple of boys and I was able to come in joke straight away and people could see my character. That definitely allowed me to express myself on the pitch from the first game.”
Ramsdale was named the Goalkeeper of the Year at Monday night’s London Football Awards and spoke of his pride at winning his first individual honour at such an event.
“Honoured and a bit overwhelmed really, it’s my first award which takes away the football club,” he said.
“And obviously London being as big as it is and the amount of teams in it, to win it is a huge honour.”
