Should we set Rambo A Monday Deadline? by Dan Smith
This time last year Arsene Wenger stated that players running out their contracts would become the norm. We will find out in the next week if that was a lie or it’s something our club now accepts. If they truly believe that is the direction of the game then Aaron Ramsey will stay regardless if he signs a new deal or not. We made the same noises 12 months ago, insisting we’d rather lose Sanchez for nothing then give him to a rival.
Stan Kroenke of course did not become a billionaire by letting assets lose value so at the last moment was willing to do business with Man City. This contradicted our entire transfer policy and backfired, leaving it so late there was no time to find a replacement. I don’t write this with too much confidence but you like to think our board learn from their mistakes.
This time it’s Chelsea who are looking to take advantage of our failure to tie our star names to long term agreements. Like last summer, 30 million might not be worth the PR disaster of one of our best players joining a rival. However the last campaign was evidence that it’s not healthy to build a side based on an individual who won’t be there in a year’s time. Forcing someone to stay or sending them to Stamford Bridge is not the choice any gooner wants to make. I would suggest the preference is for the midfielder to extend his stay in North London. But the reality is the Welshmen’s had a long time now to review the offer on the table and both parties are leaving this to the last minute to negotiate. To be a big club you act like one. We need to show a ruthless streak and take some control.
Surely there is a contingency plan if he doesn’t sign?
Behind closed door someone in power must know if a compromise is likely or not? I would give the midfielder and agent your best final offer. I would set Monday as a deadline for a final answer. That then gives us three days to bring in a marquee replacement. A shortlist should already be drawn up as a precautionary measure.
So I suggest it’s a big weekend coming up. If Rambo still can’t make up his mind by then they we should do it for him.
Dan Smith