Transfer Story:
Arsenal have already been hit by the departure of players like Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain, but more importantly Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud in the last six months. However, as the club prepares itself for a proper revamp in the summer, they might see another key player depart.
Aaron Ramsey’s contract issue doesn’t look like solving anytime soon and reports are now linking the Welshman to a move away to London rivals Chelsea. Ramsey’s contractual negotiations have been going on but the player and the club have failed to reach an agreement as of yet.
Ramsey: Integral to Arsenal
It is likely that the Arsenal fan-base would be uneasy over this particular rumour citing the importance of Aaron Ramsey to the Arsenal squad in recent years. Ever since Santi Cazorla started picking up his constant injuries, Ramsey developed himself to become one of the most crucial members of Arsene Wenger’s side.
Normally a central midfielder by trait, Ramsey can adjust to any of the midfield roles. The Welshman creates a host of chances going forward as his passing range coupled with a keen eye for goal makes him a treat to watch when he is on song.
The downside of Ramsey:
Despite his obvious strengths going forward, Aaron Ramsey becomes a liability whenever he is tactically burdened. Often in the presence of Mesut Ozil, Wenger has required Ramsey to buckle down his attacking instinct so that the team does not leave a lot of space behind.
However, the midfielder fails to oblige by committing too much and then leaving his defenders to do a lot of work. As a box-to-box player, all that is expected of him is to combine his amazing attacking skills with some defensive discipline too. Alas, Ramsey hardly does that.
Right man for Chelsea:
Much like Arsenal, Chelsea too have struggled to make much of an impact this season. They have easily been beaten and overrun in the midfield and have looked disjointed more of then than not, relying on Hazard and Willian to get them over the line. Now, there might be a positive advantage of Ramsey joining Chelsea.
At Stamford Bridge, he would have an excellent defensive midfield partner in N’golo Kante. This way, Ramsey will be completely relieved of his defensive duties and can solely concentrate on his attacking aspect and try and realise his full potential.
The Welshman has been consistent with his attacking contributions and has already notched up six goals and six assists in 19 league appearances this season. At Arsenal, he hardly had any player to break attacks and hence Ramsey was criticized for something that he wasn’t equipped to do.
However, is the sale of Aaron Ramsey to local-rivals Chelsea something that the fans would approve of?
Stats Courtesy: Whoscored
