Unai Emery appears to have acknowledged that Aaron Ramsey’s days at the Emirates are numbered, with the Arsenal boss refusing to discuss the impasse surrounding his midfielder’s contract negotiations.
It was widely reported last month that the Gunners had withdrawn a new offer to the Welshman, triggering speculation that his ten-year association with the club is coming to an end.
Speaking to the press ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League encounter against Leicester City on Monday, Emery was asked whether Ramsey might leave Arsenal as early as January.
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“For me January is very far [away], I’m thinking about Monday’s match first,” replied the Spaniard. “My focus is on every match… I explain to every player and to you also, I want the mentality for the next match. Individual things are not for me to speak about now.”
Fully focused
Emery dismissed fears that Ramsey’s performance might be less focused as a result of the uncertainty surrounding his future.
“I want his performance like the other players,” the manager said. “For example, in the last match he started on the bench, then he played 25 minutes with this performance.
“On Monday it’s the same if he starts in the first XI or on the bench, to come with the focus for this match to help us. It’s not different for other players.”
Wilshere wants a solution
Ramsey’s former Arsenal teammate Jack Wilshere has urged his old club to make the Welshman a new and improved extension offer. Wilshere spent nine season with Ramsey at the Emirates before signing for West Ham this summer.
Speaking to the Islington Gazette, Wilshere said he was dismayed that Ramsey appears poised to leave north London.
“For me he’s a future Arsenal captain,” said Wilshere. “He’s a great player, if it was me I know I would want to keep him around… they could do with someone like him. We know what he can do for the club.”
Ampomah up for Arsenal
Meanwhile, Waasland-Beveren wonderkid Nana Opoku Ampomah has said that he favours a move to Arsenal above Manchester United or Chelsea, reports Football.London.
The 22-year-old winger, who recently made his international debut for Ghana, has scored five times in nine appearances this season. This form has led to a number of Premier League clubs sending scouts to the Belgian Pro League to run the rule over Ampomah.
Speaking to Ghanaian media about his Premier League options, Ampomah said: “I like Arsenal more because I like their style of playing. It’s one of the teams I really liked growing up as a child so… it will be a dream come true to play for Arsenal.”
