RAMSEY SET FOR EXIT AS YOUNG GUNS EDGE IT
Arsenal
2
Blackpool
1 JUST the width of the woodwork came between Blackpool and penalties as the Seasiders went close to a historic win against 10-man Arsenal.
Matteo Guendouzi’s red card for a second bookable offence came between Paudie O’connor hitting the crossbar and then finding the back of the net.
However, the Leeds on-loan defender was red carded himself six minutes from time for a foul on Pierre- Emerick Aubameyang.
Ultimately, goals by 34-year-old Stephan Lichtsteiner and Emile Smith Rowe, 18, were enough for Unai Emery’s side to edge a match they were expected to win comfortably.
This was a chance for youngsters such as Julio Pleguezuelo, Smith Rowe and Ainsley Maitland-niles to showcase the future of the club.
But that will not include Aaron Ramsey. It emerged ahead of kick-off that the Wales international has been told face-to-face he will not be offered a new deal to replace his current contract which expires in the summer.
Ramsey (inset) complained last Thursday night he had only been informed via his agent, although the invite to a meeting had already been sent by the time the Arsenal hierarchy knew of his beef when it was published on Friday lunchtime. Subsequently, Huss Fahmy and Raul Sanllehi had explained the 27-year-old did not fit in with their long-term vision for the club by the weekend.
Arsenal took the lead when Guendouzi whipped in an angled cross, Lichtsteiner stretched out a leg, and the ball trickled agonisingly past Blackpool keeper Mark Howard.
A quick VAR check backed the assistant ref’s verdict that the Switzerland right-back (celebrating with Shkodran Mustafi, above) had narrowly beaten the offside trap.
The Gunners made it 2-0 five minutes after the break. Smith Rowe made the most of Carl Jenkinson’s cross – which came back off the bar – to beat Howard. Guendouzi saw red in the 56th minute for a second yellow after pulling back Jordan Thompson.
O’connor’s point-blank header from a corner hauled the Seasiders back into contention, but the goalscorer received a straight red card six minutes from time for a foul on Aubameyang.