Aaron Ramsey

Arsenal legend-turned-pundit Paul Merson has slammed the Gunners for criminally handling the contract situation of Aaron Ramsey. The Wales international currently has six months remaining on his deal with the Gunners and he has also been told that an extension won’t be happening beyond the summer.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Merson termed the Gunners’ decision as ‘stupid’ and indicated that they should not let a player of Ramsey’s calibre leave the Emirates. He added that the Welshman provides heaps of Premier League experience and replacing him would require more finances while the new recruit will need time to adjust.

He said: ““It's stupidity from Arsenal to allow someone of Ramsey's quality to let their contract run down“. It's yet another player after Alexis Sanchez, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott. Players' contracts come to an end then they “all leave on frees“. In footballing terms, it's criminal. It's like buying an £80m house, waiting for the leasehold to run out and losing the house. Arsenal had a player in Ramsey that was proven. Now they've got to go and get someone that probably hasn't played in the Premier League and will need time to adjust. It's poor.”

Ramsey was once more on the bench for the London derby against West Ham United on Saturday afternoon where the Gunners suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat. The Welshman was lively after being brought onat the hour markbut some poor finishing from the Gunners frontmen meant that they suffered a rare loss at the hands of the Hammers.
Arsenal are currently six points behind Chelsea in the race for the fourth position and they could potentially be leapfrogged by Manchester United for the fifth spot this weekend, should the Red Devils get the better of Tottenham Hotspur on the road. Next up, the Gunners are scheduled to host Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium and the match could make or break their top-four prospects.