Opinion: Aaron Ramsey remains crucial to Arsenal’s plans

Premier League club Arsenal are planning to hold negotiations with midfielder Aaron Ramsey this summer as they seek to extend his stay beyond the summer of 2019. The Welshman has always possessed the potential to make tireless runs into the box, but it is his overall play in midfield which often lets him down.

Ever since being Shawcrossed in 2010, Ramsey has had his persistent calf problems, and whether it is related to the double leg fracture, only doctors will know. Despite this, an in-form Ramsey on his day, could torment any defence with his forward runs as displayed in the FA Cup final over Chelsea last month, where he bagged the winner.

Ramsey for Wales and Ramsey for Arsenal has always been a different proposition, but the 26-year-old showed some of his best form during the 2013-14 season where he bagged 16 goals across all competitions – though he was out with a thigh injury for three months.

The former Cardiff City graduate got some stick from a section of the fans for his poor man marking during the 3-1 defeat to West Bromwich Albion last season. But this appeared to have rejuvenated the Welshman after he was offered a free role in a new look 3-4-2-1 formation. Ramsey therein put up a series of impressive performances barring the Spurs’ defeat and he managed to amass two goals and two assists in the final five games of the campaign.

With two years left on his contract, Arsenal remain determined to keep hold of their attacker, who was once linked with Barcelona. The Welshman is a world-beater on his day, and Arsene Wenger would be craving for some consistency as the club head into the 2017/18 season. Ramsey appears to have formed an excellent bond alongside Granit Xhaka at the heart of the midfield, and the pair could stick with each other for a while, so long as the club make a bright start next term.

Image – Getty