Arsenal: Aaron Ramsey the second most important thing this summer

Arsenal have a lot to do this summer, but objective No. 2 on their vast list should be keeping and prolonging the stay of Aaron Ramsey, no question about it.

There’s quite a list of things for Arsenal to see to this summer. I don’t think that we even really fully grasp all that has to be done. There are a lot of pieces in place, particularly the brain trust that Ivan Gazidis has built, but the most questions come on the pitch and, well, next to it.

Priority No. 1 is obvious – get a new boss who is in tune with what this club is all about, who can inspire the troops, bring major silverware to the Emirates (as soon as possible) and also stay true to the values of the club. No big deal. Should be easy, right?

Objective No. 2 isn’t to sign a defender, or to buy a defensive midfielder, or any other such external nonsense. All of that can wait and, honestly, a lot of it isn’t as clear-cut as people think – the defense for instance, needs help, but in what way do we pursue that help?

Regardless, that still falls to No. 3 or 4 on the list of priorities. No. 2 on the list is Aaron Ramsey. The Welshman was a part of more goals than any other player on this Arsenal team, save Alexandre Lacazette, despite not even reaching 2000 Premier League minutes. His 11 total goals were second on the team, his nine assists were second on the team (tied for first in Premier League) and yet again, we see what Ramsey can do.

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Which is, essentially, anything you damn well ask of him to do.

He is a one of a kind player and you simply aren’t going to find ‘another Aaron Ramsey’ on the transfer market. You lose him and you lose a major piece of what makes this attack tick. You lose a weapon that can strike at any time, from any place.

Ramsey only has one year left on his contract, and given that it will be a new boss in charge, I reckon that he will either sign a new deal or be sold this summer. The latter cannot be allowed to happen. Far too much of what has made the Gunners tick these past few years has been thanks to him.

No matter what capacity he is used, as his minutes are often limited, he is always one of the top producers on the team. His engine never stops and he is only now entering his prime years, which could mean even more numbers than we are currently seeing.

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He cannot be allowed to walk. Building a midfield around Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey is a sure-fire foundation. Building it around Xhaka alone has a lot more uncertainty in who comes in Ramsey’s stead.

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