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Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has urged Aaron Ramsdale to leave Arsenal before the transfer deadline.
Ramsdale has not started a Premier League match for Arsenal since March 9, playing back-up to Mikel Arteta signing David Raya.
The 26-year-old became Arsenal’s most expensive goalkeeper when he completed a £30m move from Sheffield United in 2021.
Ramsdale initially impressed at the Emirates Stadium, playing every league match as they challenged for the Premier League title in 2022-23.
But the England international has seen his game-time drastically cut since Raya’s arrival from Brentford and could leave Arsenal before the summer transfer window closes next week.
Premier League clubs Wolves and Southampton are interested in signing Ramsdale and ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Martinez believes he should look to move on.
Martinez left Arsenal in the pursuit of regular football back in 2020 and has found a home at Aston Villa, helping Unai Emery’s side qualify for the Champions League last season.
‘It’s a different position to me as Aaron signed for big money,’ Martinez told the Daily Telegraph. ‘He was the No 1 for Arsenal. I never had a chance like that.
‘When you play every game in the Premier League and, then you drop to the bench with the quality that Aaron has, I think he should find a place to play where he feels loved.
‘He is a player that England needs in their goalkeeping area. He has a great future.’
Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has also urged Ramsdale to secure a late summer move and says he must ‘very unhappy’ with his current situation.
Martinez will come up against his former club on Saturday evening when Aston Villa play host to Arsenal.
Villa, managed by ex-Arsenal boss Unai Emery, did the double over Arsenal last season, with the second defeat during the run-in dealing a huge blow to the Gunners’ title hopes.
Despite Aston Villa thriving under Emery and finishing fourth last season, Martinez has dismissed the suggestion the Midlands club could challenge the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City for the Premier League title this season.
‘Nah,’ the Argentine World Cup winner said. ‘You can see that we sold two or three good players that we had, which Unai didn’t want to do.
‘I know with PSR [profitability and sustainability rules], they can’t really sign as much as the owner wants. It’s going to be a little bit harder than everyone thinks, so it is a work in progress.
‘We want to go on a cup run, maybe even win the Carabao Cup or the FA Cup. But there is no way we can challenge for the title.’
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