Aaron Ramsey made 371 appearances for Arsenal before moving to Juventus last summer (Getty Images)
According to The Metro, Aaron Ramsey has put his negotiations over a new contract on hold till January and the Welshman wants a significant rise in his wages with his current contract set to expire next summer.
According to the rules, Ramsey will be free to negotiate with other clubs in January as he would have only six months left on his contract by then. The Metro further claims that Arsenal are ready to meet Ramsey’s increased wage demands as Unai Emery is desperate to keep hold of the 27-year-old.
Ramsey has arguably been the most consistent player for Arsenal since joining the Gunners from Cardiff City back in 2008. He served loan spells at Nottingham Forest and his former club Cardiff City, before being selected on a regular basis by Arsene Wenger in the 2011/12 season which proved to be the Welshman’s breakthrough year.
And Arsenal, quite understandably so, must relent to his wage demands. Losing a player of his calibre would be nothing short of a disaster for the club. Ramsey, who currently earns wages in the region of £110,000-a-week, started Arsenal’s first game against Manchester City as the central attacking playmaker with Mesut Ozil given the role of playing down the flanks.
Although the Welshman didn’t have the worst of games, Emery opted for Alex Iwobi in the second game against Chelsea and shifted Ozil to the No.10 position. However, Ramsey proved his worth in his newly-assigned position as the playmaker with an impressive performance in the 3-1 victory over West Ham United.
The fact that Ozil hasn’t found his feet in the three games so far, makes Ramsey all the more important to the club. Ozil hasn’t looked comfortable on the ball, often giving away possession easily. The former German international has struggled with his passing as well and has found it difficult to adapt to Emery’s pressing style of play. Ozil, along with Granit Xhaka, seem like a misfit for Emery’s system.
On the other hand, Ramsey, who was often deployed as a central midfielder in a deeper role in Arsene Wenger’s era, has embraced his opportunity of playing as a No.10. Not only did he look more energetic than Ozil but he also caused all sorts of problems for the opposition with subtle forward runs. He was immaculate with his positioning and his ability to read the game proved to be resourceful for Arsenal in the attacking third. In simple words, he is the sort of playmaker that Emery must want in his team.
Even if Ozil rediscovers his old form, it should not a concern for Ramsey as he is capable of playing in a deeper role as well. If Xhaka’s struggles continue, Emery could consider pushing the Welshman a bit deeper.
A solid tactician and a technician, Ramsey has the ability to read the trajectory of the passes and make crucial interceptions. Matteo Guendouzi has shown a lot of promise in his first three games while Lucas Torreira has dictated the tempo of the midfield in style. But Ozil and Xhaka have emerged as glaring liabilities under Emery’s style of play. In comparison, Ramsey has adapted well to the new set-up.
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Hence, Arsenal should meet his wage demands and do everything to keep him at the Emirates next season.
