Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale reveals he watched England at 2018 World Cup from Linekers Bar in Ayia Napa as he eyes No1 spot

ARSENAL and England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale revealed he watched England’s World Cup 2018 knockout clash with Colombia from Linekers bar in Ayia Napa.

The shot-stopper, 24, is in Gareth Southgate‘s Three Lions squad for Qatar.

PARamsdale is in Qatar with England for the World Cup[/caption]

Times Newspapers LtdHowever, for the Russia 2018 edition of the tournament, Ramsdale watched England from Linekers in Ayia Napa[/caption]

He’s experiencing a World Cup first hand, but over four years ago he was in a different setting: Party destination Ayia Napa.

And Ramsdale has revealed he remembered watching England’s dramatic penalty shootout win over Colombia from Linekers bar, which is owned by Three Lions legend Gary Linker’s brother Wayne.

He said in a press conference: “Oh God! I was watching the first game in Ayia Napa… that was an eventual night.

“The Colombia game was the night before pre-season.

“There was a lot of cheering in the front room and I still get goosebumps. A real special night.”

England will contest Group B alongside Wales, USA and Iran, with all three inside Fifa’s top 20.

Southgate’s men are heading into the tournament in a shocking run of form.

England haven’t won since the 3-0 win over Ivory Coast in March.

Most read in Football

RON HIS WAY?

Ronaldo on brink at Utd as they prepare legal action to rip up £16m contract

ROO HITS BACK

Rooney breaks silence after Ronaldo brands ex-Man Utd team-mate a ‘rat’

DEAR OH BEER

Qatar BANS booze from World Cup stadiums in huge U-turn but sells £7 Bud Zero

COMING HO-HO-HOME

Watch Xmas revamp of Three Lions ahead of England’s Qatar World Cup bid

WORLD CUP FIXED

Platini admits France 98 draw was rigged so hosts faced Brazil in final

WIZARD OF OZ

Ronaldo offered shock Man Utd transfer exit by Australian football chief

PLAY OUR DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP FANTASY FOOTBALL GAME TO WIN A SHARE OF £50k

However, Ramsdale says England’s woes are being used as motivation.

He said: “No confidence has been affected. If anything, it’s given us more motivation.

“We’ve got added motivation to turn our form around and put those results behind us.

“We’re going in full of confidence knowing what we can do.”

Ramsdale is now an established England squad member but wants to stake a claim to the No1 shirt, which currently belongs to Jordan Pickford.

He said: “Squad numbers are squad numbers. Jordan’s done extremely well for England and he’s playing well for Everton. 

“You need all three of us to train properly to get the No1 to his best.

“It will be difficult for two of us to flick the switch, although Nick and I have done it before.

“Whoever gets that first game will get the full support of the group.”

England scored just four goals in six Nations League fixtures in June and September.

All four goals came against Germany and the Three Lions registered no wins, resulting in relegation from the competition’s top group.

Ramsdale says others need to chip in with goals and not rely on near-record goal-scorer and captain Harry Kane.

The keeper added: “Of course we need Harry (Kane) to be scoring but we need others to chip in too.

“Marcus Rashford has come in and been a breath of fresh air, so training is intense.”

Read More on The Sun

ALL CHANGE

McDonald’s is making a major change to menus for the World Cup

MAKING A MARK

I’m known as ‘the girl with hip dips’ – people troll me but I love my body

England’s first group game is on Monday 21 against Iran and a date with USA follows on the Friday.

A group finale against Wales will then take place on November 29.

World Cup news LIVE: All the latest from Qatar
England vs Iran – all you need to know for Three Lions’ opener
USA vs Wales – all the TV and live stream info for Dragons’ first World Cup match in 64 years