We were dominant throughout: Aaron Ramsdale on West Bromwich Albion win

Arsenal’s start to the new Premier League season could not have been worse. The London club lost their first two games of the season. They are yet to score a single goal in the league campaign and pressure started to mount on Mikel Arteta and his coaching staff. However, on Wednesday night, the Gunners finally registered their maiden victory of the new season – a 6-0 thumping of West Bromwich Albion in the Carabao Cup. The forward players may well dominate the headlines after the commanding win at West Brom, but there was also a notable debut at the other end of the pitch – goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. He was an assured presence in goal, making three fine saves to preserve a well-earned clean sheet.

Speaking to the club media, he opened up about his debut, saying, “Yeah, [it was] special. I wasn’t expecting the reception I got, so a big thanks to the fans for that. A packed away end on a Wednesday night in the second round of the Carabao Cup shows the passion that the supports have and we put on a good performance for them. As debuts go, it’s one of the better ones.”

“We were dominant throughout. Obviously West Brom had made changes but you’ve still got to beat what’s in front of you and I think we’ve done that brilliantly. We’ve passed the ball, the movement from the front four, the lads who came on and it’s topped off with some special goals. Auba’s taken the matchball home and it’s a good night all round.”

He also had a favourite goal from the night’s incredible display, saying, “sIt’s got to be the hat-trick goal. The hat-trick goal, in off the left. I’m quite glad he’s on my team and not the opposition team anymore!”

Aaron Ramsdale: There’s more to come in possession

Aaron Ramsdale then went on to analyse his own performance during the 6-0 triumph. “Yeah, I did what I needed to do, you know? There’s more to come in possession, but it’s not too much of a change of system from Sheffield United – but it is more ball-related. We were asked to play out at my old club, but here it’s definitely the philosophy, so I can get better on the ball. I’ve had a few days of training with the team and I was happy, made some saves and did what I needed to do. I’m in goal and first of all, you [need to] keep the ball out of the back of the net, and that’s what I’ve done,” he added.

The goalkeeper also revealed about the key messages he received from manager Mikel Arteta ahead of the game. “Just play the game. Play my feelings. It’s me out there on the pitch. Obviously, we can do things on the training ground, but ultimately, it’s what I feel on the pitch, and it’s just adapting to the way we play. I’m delighted for tonight,” he added.

Referring to fans chanting his name, Aaron Ramsdale said, “Yeah, it’s special. I got to celebrate a couple of times with them in the first half, which was nice. They sang my name and it always gives you great confidence, things like that. [To see so many of them] on a Wednesday night is absolutely outstanding – and I can’t wait to see more of them.”