Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is under no illusions that his place in Gareth Southgate's England setup could come under threat if he fails to win back his place in the Gunners starting lineup.
The former Sheffield United and Bournemouth man joined Arsenal in the summer of 2021 after the club were consigned to a season without European football for the first time in 25 years.
Ramsdale's signing was criticised given his previous relegations, but the 25-year-old has excelled for Mikel Arteta's side over the past couple of years, during which Arsenal have been transformed into a title-challenging team.
Ramsdale kept 14 clean sheets in the 2022-23 Premier League season as Arsenal sealed a return to the Champions League, but despite his exploits, Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu added David Raya to their goalkeeping department on loan from Brentford.
Following the Spaniard's arrival, Ramsdale initially held his spot in the XI, but he has now been demoted to Arsenal's second-choice goalkeeper, only playing in one of the club's last seven matches in all tournaments.
© Reuters
The 25-year-old made a number of crucial saves in a 1-0 EFL Cup win over Brentford on September 27, but Raya has started each of Arsenal's last four Premier League games and both of their Champions League matches so far.
Ramsdale was still called up for England's October internationals, but Crystal Palace's Sam Johnstone was given the nod in last week's friendly against Australia before Jordan Pickford made an expected return for their Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy.
The Arsenal man has repeatedly tried and failed to oust Pickford as England's number one, only playing in three competitive fixtures for the Three Lions and winning his fourth cap in last month's friendly success over Scotland.
Manchester United's Harry Maguire and Manchester City's Kalvin Phillips are other examples of England players lacking minutes at club level, but Southgate selected the pair from the first whistle against Italy regardless, and Ramsdale has admitted that he must repay the England coach in a similar vein if he is awarded any opportunities in the future.
When asked by the Evening Standard if his playing situation was concerning, Ramsdale replied: "Yeah, of course. It is the first time I have found myself in this situation. The [England] manager is brilliant, he trusts the players he's worked with before.
© Reuters
"Kalvin [Phillips] and Harry [Maguire] haven't played the most amount of minutes, but when they step up for England and are given the opportunity, they perform. So, if that's the case for myself, and I do get shown that trust to play another game if I haven't played for my club, then I will have to repay him.
"But, of course, I want to get back into my club team and be able to give [Southgate] a headache, rather than just have Jordan as the No1 and me fall by the wayside."
England confirmed top spot in Euro 2024 qualifying Group C by sinking Italy 3-1 on Tuesday, meaning that Southgate's team only have pride on the line when they meet Malta and North Macedonia next month.
As a result, Ramsdale could benefit from some expected rotation, but winning his place back in the Arsenal XI is his current priority, adding: "They are two [England] games which I could target, but first and foremost I've got to give [Southgate] a decision and be available to be picked, and that is by getting back into my club team. If that's not the case, then we'll see in three or four weeks' time."
Raya is expected to be given the nod when Arsenal return to Premier League action against Chelsea on Saturday at Stamford Bridge, where a win would take the Gunners top of the table for at least 48 hours before Tottenham Hotspur face Fulham on Monday.
