NEW FEARS OVER UNHAPPY RAMBO
Emery faces battle to hang on to midfielder Aaron after dropping him
UNAI EMERY is facing the first major test of his managerial reign over Aaron Ramsey. The Gunners midfielder was left stunned after being dropped from the starting line-up for the defeat at Chelsea. It comes at a time when Ramsey, 27, is involved in contract negotiations, as he is in the final year of his current deal at the Emirates. Arsenal boss Emery is understood to have not been happy with Ramsey’s performance in the opening weekend defeat to Manchester City. That was the reason why Ramsey (left) was omitted against Chelsea, but the midfielder is believed to have gone in to speak to Emery last week on the back of the City defeat. Emery (with Ramsey, left) has made it clear he has not blamed any individuals for the defeats and wanted a better balance in midfield, insisting the team will have to work harder as a unit to improve after their nightmare start. But Rambo’s teammates were still shocked when he was omitted, and effectively made the midfield fall guy, while others kept their places. Granit Xhaka was subbed at half-time, Mesut Ozil was also replaced, and Ramsey did come on as a second-half substitute.
He looked annoyed after the Chelsea game and did not want to talk to the media afterwards.
New Gunners manager Emery said after losing to the Blues he wanted to find the right balance in his line-up and that was the reason he made changes.
But it now remains to be seen whether Ozil (below) will keep his place for the West Ham game on Saturday after the former Germany star was substituted in another disappointing display. Arsenal remain confident Ramsey will sign a new deal, but they do face a major issue because he can leave as a free agent at the end of the season. The Wales star has been one of Arsenal’s most important and influential players in recent seasons, but the two parties are a long way apart on new terms.
There has been interest in him from both Chelsea and Manchester United, as well as from foreign clubs. The player’s advisers have seen Arsenal raise the bar with contracts after putting Ozil on £350,000 a week.
Ramsey knows he would command in excess of £250,000 a week as a free agent, and Arsenal now face a battle to keep him, especially with doubts over his place simmering away in the background.