Aaron Ramsdale produced a spectacular save to deny James Maddison's free-kick as Arsenal beat Leicester City 2-0.
The summer signing pulled out a remarkable diving stop in the first half to maintain the Gunners two-goal advantage - and ensures he's still yet to lose in the Premier League in an Arsenal shirt. Ramsdale's save has widely been hailed as the best of the season so far and came amongst a remarkable display where he pulled out a string of top-class stops.
However, it seems Ramsdale had learnt from experience as he stated after the game that he knew Maddison's approach well from previous encounters and England Under-21 duty. "Madders is a top free kick taker and I’ve come up against him a couple of times in the league and training with the Under-21s so I was worried that he was going to reverse it and come to my side," he said.
"He didn’t have too much pace on it which allowed me to get there but it was just one of them days where it seemed like I was saving everything which was thrown at me and the lads were blocking everything - top day all round." Many had questioned why Arsenal had spent such a fee on 23-year-old Ramsdale in the summer, after two straight relegations from the Premier League with Bournemouth and Sheffield United, but the Englishman is now firmly No 1 at the Gunners, having started the last seven games in the top flight ahead of Bernd Leno.
Arteta admitted he could not believe Ramsdale's save from Maddison, and again explained why the club had invested in him. "My reaction when I saw the ball leaving Maddison's foot was 'goal'. I don't know how it happened, it was incredible, and the timing of it was crucial. We invest money in talent and people we believe can be great for the future of the club. We make that decision based on that. Aaron has had some encouraging performances, today he made some incredible saves. He needs to continue to do that. In football you need to play 50 games for 20 years, and this is only the start."
Ramsdale has conceded only four goals in eight games with Arsenal, keeping five clean sheets, and will surely be competing with Jordan Pickford for the No 1 spot with England in the build-up to next year's World Cup. Arteta said Ramsdale is dreaming big, but again encouraged his 'keeper not to get carried away.
"I think when you dream big, it's always positive. Keep your feet on the earth. He needs to be doing what he's doing every day, training the way he does, work as hard as he does and look after himself, have the mentality he has, and good performances, and the rest will come." Said Arteta. Arsenal's season has drastically improved after losing their first three; they are now unbeaten in nine in all competitions, and have won five of their last seven in the Premier League.
The win saw Arsenal rise to fifth in the table, level on points with West Ham in the hunt for a top-four finish - with their London rivals yet to play this weekend.
Ramsdale hailed the result, which maintained the Gunners' unbeaten streak and continued a remarkable turnaround from a woeful start to the season.