“It wasn’t something that naturally came to me. I was released from Bolton for my height and not being able to kick the ball.”
Arsenal and England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has come a long way since his time at Wanderers as a youngster.
At 24 years of age, he is widely recognised as one of the best shot stoppers in English football and could be closing in on his first Premier League title. The Gunners currently have an eight-point cushion over second-place Manchester City heading into the business end of the season.
Ramsdale has previously spoken about how his Bolton release might just be the best thing that ever happened to him because it give him “the toughness to never say die”.
The goalkeeper has now gone into more detail about his weaknesses as a youngster and how he overcame them to get to where he is today.
“Huge credit to Sheffield United and coaches at youth age with England when I first got into the system,” he told ESPN.
“They just mentioned training with the outfielders or to sharpen up a little bit more than what you would do at the football club.
“I used to go and help coach the younger goalkeepers on Tuesday and Thursday nights for a little bit more money when I was a youth-team player and I'd also join in with the U16s in possession stuff and play as an outfielder.
“That just got me a little bit more comfortable on the ball and being able to play off both feet. It is something which has always been developing."
Ramsdale has been an important figure for Mikel Arteta's side this season and is currently tied with Newcastle’s Nick Pope for the Golden Glove award.
He played down the pressure they are under heading into the final-run in and is determined to live in the moment.
"Some people like the pressure of being Number One and getting chased,” the goalkeeper added.
“For me, I'm going out there with a group of friends with a smile on my face, just going through the motions and playing on autopilot.
"It's just like when you were playing with your mates again. You have a feeling you're going to win but you don't take it for granted.
“Suddenly you can be 2-0 up, 3-0 up and you're on cruise control. It's just a great feeling to be around."
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