Arsenal and Aaron Ramsey: Here we go again

There are growing reports that Aaron Ramsey is refusing to sign a new contract at Arsenal, with his current deal set to expire in under 18 months. Here we go again.

Insanity, they say, is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Whether that is an accurate definition or not, it is certainly the madness that is applicable to the chaos that reigns at Arsenal football.

Catch the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal podcast right here

The inability to defend. The absence of players in key positions, including a defensive, screening midfielder and a commanding centre-half. The lack of leadership, communication and character. The comfort and acceptance culture that only feeds the slipping into mediocrity. For how many years have we bemoaned these crippling shortcomings?

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 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
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

Well, we are now seeing the fruits of another Arsene Wenger’s somewhat misguided labour: Aaron Ramsey and the growing contract crisis. The Welshman’s current deal expires in the summer of 2019, in a little under 18 months time. If he were not to agree to an extension or be sold before then, then he would only be an Arsenal player until the end of the next season. Not good, clearly.

And there are growing reports that are suggesting that the club is considering the sale of Ramsey this summer such that they are able to scrape back at least a smidge of the value that they believe the player is worth. It must be admitted that these reports stem from The Daily Mail. Not exactly the most reputable of sources. But given the context and precariousness of the situation, even if Arsenal are not considering the possibility of selling Ramsey this summer, perhaps they should be. A decision on his future still needs to be made.

There are three conclusions to this dilemma: Ramsey is sold this summer, with Arsenal hoping to maximise the value that they receive for a player who is clearly integral to the success and the structure of the side; Ramsey’s deal is allowed to run down and he eventually leaves, perhaps in 2019 for nothing; Ramsey agrees to a new deal to extend his stay in North London well beyond the decade mark that he will reach this summer. Only two of them are good for Arsenal.

Moreover, the fact that Ramsey is on a short contract makes it even harder for a fair deal to be completed. Robin van Persie, Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri, Alexis Sanchez. These players were all sold for fees — or players, as it were — far below their true market value. Had Sanchez been tied down for the long term, for instance, he would have garnered much more than a troubled, inconsistent but mildly talented attacker.

Next: Arsenal Vs Brighton: 5 things we learned

And so, the contract controversy that unravels seemingly on an annual basis begins again. Different players. Different script. Even different results. But it’s rarely good for Arsenal. When will they learn?