Published 12:48 IST, November 8th 2019
Arsene Wenger reveals unknown details on Aaron Ramsey's Arsenal exit
Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed details about Aaron Ramsey's Arsenal exit recently. The player moved to Serie A champions Juventus last summer.
Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has stated that Aaron Ramsey had no intention of leaving the North London club for Juventus. Ramsey moved to Juventus on a free transfer in the previous summer after the Gunners did not extend his contract beyond the summer of 2019.
Wenger insists that in the end, he met Ramsey once and understood that Ramsey wanted to stay at Arsenal, but they had an agreement and the club backed out on that, from what he understood. Wenger also states that he tried for a long time to extend his contract but sometimes there is the influence of agents as well.
Wenger managed Ramsey for a decade
The former Arsenal manager-managed Ramsey at the Premier League club for 10 years and was instrumental in signing him from Cardiff City in 2008. The midfielder has frequently maintained that he believed he had reached an agreement with Arsenal over a new contract, only for the club to back out on their commitment. In his last season at the Emirates, Ramsey scored seven goals, while assisting seven throughout the season.
It was announced in February 2019 that Ramsey would join Juventus on a free transfer after a breakdown of a contract extension with the Arsenal management. The former Gunner has played eight matches for the Italian champions so far, also scoring twice, including a tap-in against Lokomotiv Moskow in the Champions League. However, he is still not a guaranteed starter for the Turin side after Maurizio Sarri took charge at Juventus.
Asked whether Juventus is a good fit for Ramsey, Wenger replied bluntly that only if he plays there. He quoted ex-Netherlands player and former Newcastle manager Ruud Gullit that you have to win but, when you’re 27 or 28, that’s your best years as a football player. And if you don’t play from 27-32 that’s difficult to understand. You can be patient at 21-23, you’re in and out. Once you get to the age of 27, a player has to play.
Updated 13:48 IST, November 8th 2019