Arsenal: The right man with the same fragility; Frank Lampard and Aaron Ramsey

Frank Lampard has stated that Aaron Ramsey has another level to go, arguing that Arsenal should now build around him. The Chelsea midfielder highlights the right man, but with the same fragility.

Frank Lampard was a brilliant footballer. For both West Ham United and Chelsea, anchoring the heart of both teams, his rounded ability as the central-most midfielder provided balance, authority, structure, and, of course, goals.

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But, perhaps his most valuable, and perhaps most overlooked, trait was his intelligence; the picture of the swivelling head, manically scanning the field for both danger and opportunity was a definition of the awareness and acumen that he possessed on the football field. It is no surprise, then, that as he embarks on his punditry career this season, making an increased number of appearances for the BBC, Sky Sports and BT Sport, he makes some rather insightful comments.

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His latest point of note that relates to Arsenal comes in his London Evening Standard column on Tuesday morning. In it, he talks about Aaron Ramsey, the admiration that he has for him as a player, the importance that he holds to the Gunners, the foundational piece that he provides, and then the vulnerability of his future, all within the context of the double-legged Europa League tie with AC Milan. Here is perhaps, in my opinion, the most significant extract of what he had to say regarding Ramsey, his qualities, and his usage:

"“He [Ramsey] is class when at his best and I do feel there is another level for him to strive for. He showed great quality at the 2016 European Championships. Arsenal need to keep their good British players and build the team around them, with more strength and power as a priority.”"

Lampard certainly points out the right man: Arsenal should be building around Ramsey. But there is also fragility surrounding such a decision. His contract expires at the end of next season, in the summer of 2019, and there has been no news suggesting that one is in the pipeline.

It begs the question, then, why sign a player who might have to be sold this summer if the club wants to recoup some sort of value? It seems a little illogical to build your team around a player who has an uncertain future. Again, then, we come to the same fragility that has continually scupper the progress of this club: Contracts.

While Arsene Wenger may extoll the motivational virtues that a short contract brings, it does not aid the security, the stability, and the planning of the team for the future, both short-term and long-term. It happened with Samir Nasri. It happened with Robin van Persie. It happened with Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez. And now it’s happening with Ramsey.

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The same-old fragility could again come to scupper this club. Ramsey is the right man with the wrong flaw. When will they learn?