Arsenal have announced that number one goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has signed a new long-term contract with the club.
The 25-year-old's £24.3m move to the Emirates Stadium in 2021 attracted plenty of criticism at the time, but he has since established himself as one of Mikel Arteta's most reliable performers.
Ramsdale has 28 clean sheets to boast from 76 matches in an Arsenal shirt, recording 13 shut-outs in 36 Premier League games during the Gunners' title charge this term.
Only David de Gea (16) and Alisson Becker (14) have kept more Premier League clean sheets this season, and he has earned plaudits for his distribution and athleticism during his time in North London.
Ramsdale was already under contract with Arsenal until 2025, but he is now understood to have signed a one-year extension to 2026, with the option of a further 12 months.
Signing on the dotted line ✍️ pic.twitter.com/f2sxKrRC8s
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 18, 2023
"We're all so happy that Aaron has signed a new contract. The way Aaron has developed over the past two years has been exceptional, with his performances, contribution and overall adaptation to the club," Arteta told arsenal.com.
"It's great that we're continuing to build our future with our biggest talents in our young squad. We're all looking forward to enjoying many more years of Aaron the player and the person at the football club."
Sporting director Edu added: "It's great that we've agreed and completed a new contract with Aaron. We have enjoyed so many positive moments from Aaron's performances in his two years with us, and are looking forward to many more.
"We must also remember that Aaron is still very young, so there is still a lot more to come from him, as we continue to build with our young foundations."
Ramsdale becomes the third senior Arsenal player to sign a new contract this season, following in the footsteps of Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli.
© Reuters
Having successfully tied their number one down to a new deal, the Gunners are expected to turn their attention to renewals for attacker Bukayo Saka and centre-back William Saliba.
Saka is already believed to be on the verge of signing his new long-term contract until 2028, having apparently reached an agreement to continue all the way back in February.
The England international's announcement should arrive in the coming weeks, and there is confidence that a compromise can be reached with Saliba's camp, but negotiations are not as advanced.
Club captain Martin Odegaard is also thought to be in line for improved terms on the back of another stellar campaign for the Gunners, who sit second in the Premier League table ahead of Saturday's trip to Nottingham Forest.
Ben Knapton
