You can’t blame Ramsey for considering his future? by Dan Smith
I’m sure we have all read articles to the point of nausea referring to our policy (or lack of) of offering our best players new contracts. Even our PR department have stopped bothering trying to fool themselves that Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil will suddenly change their minds and sign a new deal to stay. Even if you are of the opinion that negotiations should have started a lot sooner, the fact is both have been offered the chance to be the highest earners in our history. While it will hurt when they eventually depart it’s hard not to understand why the German and Chilean would want to leave the Emirates. Not just can they earn more money elsewhere but there are destinations would would make winning titles and competing in Europe a more likely prospect to two men in the prime of their careers.
What might be harder for Arsenal fans to accept however is the news that we are now having trouble getting Danny Welbeck and Aaron Ramsey to commit their futures to the club.
With Welbeck’s finishing ability it would be hard to see any other move for him being anymore then at best a sides way one. Ramsey however might have more options then one thinks. The Welshmen has long divided opinion during his near 10 year tenure. And that’s what might be playing through his mind no matter what the board offer. It may be hard for people to believe but there have been moments in the last decade where such as been his form the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid have shared rumored interest. It’s fair to suggest though since joining us as a teenager, appreciation from his own supporters hasn’t always been there. When we brought him from Cardiff he was very much in the shadow of Jack Wilshere. While both were groomed as the future of our midfield, the Englishmen’s technical flair made his mistakes ignored, while Ramsey (especially his finishing ability) made him a scapegoat.
Both’s progression of course would be handicapped by hellish injuries. This will know doubt be in his consideration when planning his future. Where other managers would have and with some fans encouraging him to, Arsene Wenger kept a reassuring arm round Rambo’s shoulder, even after breaking his leg at Stoke.
What Ramsey lacked in technicality he made up for in work rate and he should be a role model for every youngster wanting to make it as a professional, an example that you can excel at the elite level with his work ethic. Even if he did depart, his place in our history will be a constant. He’s a match winner in 2 of the 3 FA Cups he has won, our only bits of silverware in 11 years. Yet is he has loved like he should be?
Still to this present day, he will be accused of being tactically naive, running forward when he shouldn’t, yet that tactic being ignored when it often works. Ozil’s situation means that in less then a year Ramsey could be playing in the role he does for his national team. He might also base his future on the fact that his contract runs out the same time as his boss.
Unfortunately in what is becoming a theme within the squad, Ramsey might feel he can win more then the odd FA Cup if he moved to a top 4 rival. He may simply feel that given his longevity at one place of work, a new start may freshen him up.
Or does he simply think as recently back as a month ago when we lost 4-0 Liverpool? Does he remember how he seemed to receive most of the critics from that performance at Anfield? How he and Xakha’s partnership were written off. What he had done at Wembley just months previously was forgotten. How having been not appreciated by many for all his efforts he would have every right to go somewhere where he be valued…
Dan