Aaron Ramsdale said Bukayo Saka is stronger for his Euro 2020 heartache and he handled the fallout “impeccably” for both Arsenal and England.
The 21-year-old was one of three players — along with Manchester United duo Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho — to suffer online racist abuse after missing penalties as England lost the final in a shootout to Italy at Wembley last summer.
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Saka had never previously taken a spot-kick but is now Arsenal’s designated taker, scoring all four penalties since, including in big matches against Chelsea, United and Liverpool.
Arsenal narrowly missed out on a top-four finish last season but Saka has been a key player this term as Mikel Arteta’s side headed into the domestic break five points clear at the top of the Premier League.
And asked by ESPN how Saka had dealt with the last 18 months, Ramsdale said: “[I’m] trying to find the right words… impeccably, probably.
“The kid’s a lovely boy, he has time for everyone, works super hard throughout every week. Very, very rarely misses a training session and used all that motivation of criticism but also more so the love that everyone gave him, gave him an extra boost.
“Don’t forget he had the pressure of the whole football club on him last year — him and Emile Smith Rowe were our main guys — and he has dealt with that, he’s dealt with everything else. He is thriving and I can’t wait to see him thrive over here.”
