Aaron Ramsdale has stated that he would accept the Arsenal armband if asked, but that the final choice would be made by manager Mikel Arteta.
Since his summer arrival to the Emirates, the former Bournemouth and Sheffield United goalkeeper has excelled, guiding the Gunners into a strong position in the Champions League qualifying battle with a succession of outstanding performances.
Arsenal’s long-term captaincy is in doubt. Former captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang moved for Barcelona in January, and Alexandre Lacazette has taken over as interim captain. However, his contract with the club expires in the summer, and there is no certainty he will return to north London next season.
Ramsdale is a member of Arsenal‘s young core and claims he would not pass down the chance to lead the Gunners if Arteta offered.
“Listen, I’d take the responsibility but that’s down to the manager,” he told FourFourTwo.
“We’ve got a lot of strong characters, though, and a lot of people who I think would be good captains.
“Just to be told ‘you’re in a leadership role’ – I’d relish whatever. You never turn down a captaincy and I think I’d excel if I was given the armband, but that’s down to the boss.”
Ramsdale has 12 Premier League clean sheets to his name this season, with only Brazilian goalkeepers Alisson and Ederson – who both have 16 – surpassing him.
Arsenal sit fourth in the English Premier League, three points ahead of Tottenham and with a game in hand on their north London rivals.
