Aaron Ramsdale returns to Arsenal with no bad blood as goalkeeper bids to haunt Mikel Arteta with Southampton

Aaron Ramsdale did not know it at the time, but it turns out the first seeds for his summer move to Southampton were planted all the way back in May.

The goalkeeper was at Wembley to cheer on his good friend David Brooks, who was playing for Southampton in the Championship Play-Off Final.

It is a tradition among Ramsdale and his friends that whenever anyone makes it to Wembley, they all go and support them in fancy dress.

In the past they have gone as Teletubbies and wrestlers, but this year the theme was Harry Porter, with Ramsdale dressed as Hagrid. Every time the player in action has won the match - and so there is no chance of the tradition ending anytime soon.

After Southampton beat Leeds to secure promotion to the Premier League, Brooks invited Ramsdale to the club’s after party.

It was there he met Saints boss Russell Martin for the first time and Brooks playfully suggested Southampton should sign Ramsdale.

Three months later, Ramsdale was a Southampton player after joining them as part of deal that could eventually be worth £25million.

“To be honest, if you’d have asked me at the end of May if I’d have been sat here having a conversation as a Southampton player, I’d have said you’re probably crazy,” said Ramsdale after completing his move away from Arsenal on deadline day last month.

Ramsdale returns to Emirates Stadium on Saturday for the first time since he left Arsenal.

The club had been adamant all summer that if they were to let him go then it would be on a permanent transfer and not a loan.

Chelsea and Newcastle were viewed as possible destinations early on in the window, but ended up pursuing other targets.

Both Ajax and Wolves were keen to take Ramsdale on loan, but Arsenal held their nerve and eventually Southampton came to the table.

It was a brave call from Ramsdale to join a club who are fighting for relegation, however it was born out of a desire to play.

Last season at Arsenal was tough for the 26-year-old, who lost his place in the team to David Raya.

Ramsdale has never really spent time on the bench during his career, often choosing to go out on loan as a youngster so he could play.

It made the past 12 months especially hard for him as he played just 11 games for Arsenal and, try as he might, Mikel Arteta’s mind was set that Raya was his new No1.

Despite that, there is no bad blood between Arteta and Ramsdale, with the pair even speaking since the goalkeeper left the club.

From Arteta’s side, he is thankful for Ramsdale’s role in turning Arsenal into title challengers during the early part of his tenure.

There is also an appreciation from those at Arsenal that Ramsdale did not become a disruptive figure after losing his place to Raya.

Ramsdale views Southampton as a chance to reset and get his love for playing football back.

Despite having just one training session after joining on deadline day, Ramsdale made his debut 24 hours later at Brentford and was thrown in at the deep end.

Martin’s style of football is a good fit for Ramsdale, with the Saints boss viewing his goalkeepers as a key part of the build-up. He often watches clips back with them after training and talks through their work on the ball.

Ramsdale became a target for Southampton because of his ability in possession, but also his character.

He is courageous on the ball, as he showed during his time at Arsenal, and that is something Martin loves.

Ramsdale also has the necessary fight needed for a relegation battle and there is also a personal hunger inside him, too.

He maintains the aspiration to play for England and Lee Carsley spoke to him after missing out on the squad for the September games.

The message was simple: ‘Get back playing and force your way into the squad’.

Ramsdale was left out again by Carsley on Thursday, but he will back himself to do just that.