Arsenal: Alexis Sanchez, Aaron Ramsey Rift Makes Total Sense

Arsenal hasn’t had any internal drama lately, but with the developing rift between Aaron Ramsey and Alexis Sanchez, we have some. The feud makes perfect sense though.

One of the things that Arsene Wenger takes pride in with his Arsenal club is composing a team that is not only full of talented players, but of players who fit together and mesh very well. There has been very little internal drama at the club and certainly not enough to drive a wedge in between two different camps.

Related: 10 Things We Learned About Arsenal In 2016

The developing rift between Aaron Ramsey and Alexis Sanchez is one that could drive that wedge that we have avoided for so long.

According to numerous sources, from video evidence to commentators, the two just don’t gel on the pitch. Alexis was visibly frustrated, tossing his gloves after the Bournemouth match, which was an encore to the visible spats he had with the Welshman when the two were sharing the same pitch.

Of all the spats that were going to develop, this is absolutely the one that makes the most sense, and the one that could drive a massive wedge into the club.

Just think about it. Ramsey and Alexis both love the spotlight, they love having the ball and, quite honestly, they both work hard enough on both ends of the ball to deserve it.

But the simple truth is that the two are on completely different ends of their stardom. Aaron Ramsey was the centerpiece of the 2013/14 Arsenal and he carried on fairly well in the following season. It stalled after that though, and he has since become a peripheral character in the Gunner’s scheme.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park

And… unfortunately he didn’t get the memo.

As a self-proclaimed Ramsey apologist, even I am getting sick of him perpetually having his arms to the sky when he doesn’t get the ball. While he had earned the right to dictate the game years ago, the team has changed and his refusal to accept hit new role and fight for a bigger role is truly becoming a burden now.

Alexis does the same thing. Arms to the sky, asking for the ball. But guess what? He has earned it. He deserves to get the ball whenever he wants it because he is the catalyst of the team.

Here we have Alexis, the true ringleader of the circus, and Ramsey, the former ringleader, and the latter is still clinging to his role while denying the former his rightful place in the role.

Next: Arsenal's 30 Greatest Players Ever

This is not your tabloid drama. This is a real problem and it is only going to get worse if performances like Bournemouth keep happening.