It makes no sense to allow Ramsey to leave

FOOTBALL never fails to surprise me. I have been in the game for 20 years and every season a story will pop up that leaves you thinking: ‘Really?’

It has happened quicker than usual in this campaign. The story that I am struggling to understand is how Arsenal are prepared to let Aaron Ramsey — a midfielder with such ability and someone I hold in the highest regard — run his contract down and walk away for nothing next summer.

Clearly, there are things going on behind the scenes that we do not know about. What I am sure of, though, is Ramsey’s ability and it seems odd that Arsenal, according to reports, are not looking to find a compromise given his influence on the team.

Arsenal gave Mesut Ozil a massive new contract earlier this year. Ozil has tremendous natural talent but I think we can safely say he divides opinion and does not always produce what he should when it matters in big games. But, in Arsenal’s eyes, Ozil had to be kept.

So why don’t they feel the same about Ramsey (below)? He has done as much as any of the playing staff in recent years to help bring the club success, scoring the winning goal in two FA Cup finals (2014 and 2017). For that alone, his place in Arsenal’s history is secured.

Then there is his influence on the team. You can make stats say anything you want but Arsenal’s win percentage over the last 12 months is higher when Ramsey is in the team (60 per cent to 35 per cent) and nobody has bettered his tally of 10 assists. What worries me about this situation is the fact that Ramsey’s departure would lead to more chipping away of Arsenal’s identity. He has been at the Emirates Stadium for 10 years and knows the values of the place; he understands what the fans want.

In this era, players like that are hard to find. And, aside from that, how much longer can Arsenal afford to keep losing those individuals who are at the top end in terms of quality? Off the top of my head, I can name eight departures who weakened Arsenal and strengthened their rivals.

We can start off with Emmanuel Adebayor, Samir Nasri, Kolo Toure and Gael Clichy, who went to Manchester City — the last three were all title winners at the Etihad Stadium. Barcelona took Cesc Fabregas before he returned to Chelsea — he’s won 10 major trophies since being sold in 2011.

Robin van Persie went to Manchester United and inspired their last Premier League success, Liverpool pounced for Alex OxladeChamberlain and he played a pivotal role in them reaching the Champions League final. Earlier this year, Alexis Sanchez followed the Van Persie route to Old Trafford. This should not happen to a club of Arsenal’s stature.

I understand the desire to go in a fresh direction after Arsene Wenger’s reign ended but it appears that the transition is going to be a difficult one and I can’t see how letting someone like Ramsey go will help.

I like Unai Emery and want to see him do well — I wrote earlier this season that he deserves time to get things right and needs to be shown respect as he adjusts to the demands of managing in the Premier League. The task of getting

back into the top four is not going to be easy.

He has got world-class players at his disposal — you saw that last Sunday when, after a tough first 45 minutes, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette put Everton away in the second half — but there have been plenty of examples in games that have shown it will be a slow process.

The chances of getting there more quickly will be boosted by having someone like Ramsey on hand. He scores goals, he’s a great athlete and works hard: the bidding for midfielders who do those things starts at £30million but, as it stands, the majority of Europe’s top clubs will have spotted a bargain.

If Ramsey has an excellent season, he is going to be spoilt for choice. Arsenal, however, will lose a big transfer fee and a key member of their squad. It doesn’t make sense. Sometimes in football, it just doesn’t.