Something to cheer Aaron Ramsdale up! Arsenal outcast meets 16-year-old sensation Luke Littler ahead of PDC World Darts Championship fourth-round clash

The English goalkeeper was once again a bench-warmer during Arsenal's 2-0 defeat to West Ham at Emirates on Thursday. However, he was all smiles when he met Littler who has made an extraordinary impact in his first appearance at the global event. After defeating Matt Campbell 4-1, Littler has reached the last 16, becoming the youngest player ever to reach this stage in the championship. The young prodigy's journey is reminiscent of a fairy tale, with the possibility of facing darts icon Raymond van Barneveld in the next round.

Along with Ramsdale, Declan Rice also joined in and posed with Littler in the hotel lobby.

He wrote in the caption: "Just about to go to the room and the security says these 2 want a picture crazyyy!!"

@lukethenukelittler

Ramsdale also posted a picture of him and Littler on his Instagram story and wrote: "Met the most famous 16-year-old in the world at the minute! Absolutely flying the boy @lukethenukelittler."

@aaronramsdale Instagram

The 16-year-old's victory over Campbell has secured him a substantial payday of at least £35,000. If he manages to win the next round then he could earn another £50,000 which should be sufficient to celebrate with friends as he contemplates a visit to Alton Towers or Blackpool at the end of the tournament.

Ramsdale would hope that the defeat to West Ham would push Mikel Arteta to shuffle things between the sticks and promote him up the order ahead of David Raya in their next match against Fulham on Sunday.