11 April 2023 , 07:50
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Aaron Ramsdale has revealed his goalkeeping inspiration as a youngster was Bolton legend Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Premier League stalwart Jaaskelainen spent 15 years with Bolton and made more than just a lasting impression on Arsenal star Ramsdale.
Ramsdale was in the youth system at the North West club during the height of Jaaskelainen's career and he became a big influence in the 24-year-old's development.
Through their connection as family friends, Ramsdale was able to pick the Finnish veteran's brains about the art of goalkeeping in England's top flight.
Ramsdale was released aged 15 after being told he was "too small and couldn't kick", but gained valuable knowledge from Jaaskelainen which he used to bounce back from his setback.
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"As I was going through the Bolton system, Jaaskelainen was a big part of my career. He was my early inspiration," he told the Arsenal website.
"Being able to watch him every other weekend at the home games was obviously huge for me, and then becoming close family friends with him and being able to speak to him about football and play in the garden with him and his son William, who's the same age as me.
"I'm still very close with them, but for me at that age to be around a Premier League player was huge. Also his coach at Bolton, Fred Barber, was the one who trained me at Stoke.
"He's still coaching at Crewe after being at Bolton for years and has a goalkeeping school in Stoke, which is where I went before moving to Bolton.
Jaaskelainen made over 500 appearances during his 15 years at Bolton (STUART ROBINSON)"So we had a connection with the Jaaskelainens through different people, and he was definitely an inspiration for me."
Ramsdale suffered three relegations in four years in his early days as a professional but has now emerged as one of the best Premier League performers.
He is on course for the Golden Glove with 12 clean sheets and made decisive saves to claim a valuable point against Liverpool at Anfield in the title race.
But his key principles for his profession that were influenced by Jaaskelainen have always remained the same.
Ramsdale saved Arsenal from a dramatic defeat at Anfield (PA)"Things like my set position," Ramsdale said, when asked which of Jaaskelainen's traits he emulates in his own game.
"Obviously, getting coached by the same coach that Jussi worked with in Fred (Barber), he stuck to his principles and taught all of the people who went to the goalkeeping school the same way.
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"So you are given the basis, but then you see someone in the Premier League doing it week in, week out and you know it's working."