MY ACCOUNT
Aaron Ramsdale has warned Arsenal not to take relegation-threatened Leeds lightly on Saturday after drawing experience from his own previous battles against the drop.
The Gunners head into Saturday’s home clash with an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League, while Javi Gracia’s Whites are just two points above the bottom three in 14th.
Ramsdale, 24, was involved in his fair share of survival scraps during his time at both Bournemouth and Sheffield United, having suffered consecutive drops in 2020 and 2021.
And he remembers enjoying games against the bigger sides more compared to tense battles with fellow teams fighting for their lives.
Ramsdale told Arsenal.com: “There was more freedom when I was down at the bottom playing against the bigger teams.
“I wouldn’t say it was a free hit but when you’re playing against someone who’s in and around you, it’s a big pressure game and teams are nervous and don’t want to make a mistake.
“But then they could come here to the Emirates and say, ‘We’re going to have a good go and see what happens.
“They could get to 0-0 after 60 minutes and then just sit in and defend for their lives. So the free hit phrase is not one I like using.
“You saw what Bournemouth did, and I don’t think we took that for granted. I just think you can be bottom of the table and you can score goals against anyone or beat anyone in this league.
“We’ve seen that with big teams dropping points.”
The Elland Road club have bolstered their survival hopes with seven points in their last four games, including a 4-2 win over Wolves last time out.
Ramsdale added: “They had a great win before the international break against Wolves so it will be another tough test.
“And hopefully it’s one we can come through like we have done at the Emirates more times than not this season.
“Hopefully it will be another good day for us.”
