Arsenal Vs Stoke City: Aaron Ramsey outshines contract rival

Both Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere are competing for the entrenched midfield role at the heart of the Arsenal team. On Sunday, it was Ramsey that outshone his contract rival.

I have, for some time, bandied on about the apparent virtues of playing Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere in the same midfield. Although they are similar players who like to play similar roles, I believe that the balance, energy and blended creativity that the pair bring helps alleviate some of the more troublesome aspects of the Arsenal team.

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And I have been given the joy of watching the duo play alongside one another at the heart of this current Gunners iteration over the past few weeks, particularly in the double-legged AC Milan affair in the Europa League and in the 3-0 win over Stoke City on Sunday afternoon.

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There are a great many parallels between the two players: from the position that they play to the way in which they play it; from the expectations of youth to the disappointments of experience; from possessing vast natural ability to seeing it scuppered by injury and inconsistency. But there is now another mirrored narrative that both players are traversing through: The uncertainty of a future in which a contract is not present.

Wilshere was told last summer that he would not be offered a new deal beyond his current one, which expires this summer. He has now received an offer, one that is seemingly short of his perceived self-worth. It has now been accepted. Club and player are at an impasse and there is a growing suggestion that a summer departure could yet play out.

Ramsey, meanwhile, has one more year to run, but that does not make his standing any less secure. While negotiations have presumably been ongoing, there have been fewer reports of what may come to be. A hunch suggests that the Welshman, who is now 27, may want to try his best years away from the Emirates.

Arsenal, then, are in a state of flux, with neither of their starting central midfielders either committed to the club or locked-down irrespective of it. That is why, I believe, it is important that Ramsey has edged his way ahead of his midfield and contract rival over the past few years. It is an advantage that was evident against Stoke.

While Wilshere was not utterly disparaging, it was Ramsey who was the more effervescent, influencing force. His energy was more impactful, he provided a greater drive and direction to the play, and his runs off the ball at least were sharp and intentional, aiming for the heart of the Stoke defence. That is a pattern that has been present for a growing period now.

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It remains to be seen what happens with these twin midfield pillars. But certainly, if you offered most Arsenal fans one or the other, there are few that would choose Wilshere.