Arsenal: Aaron Ramsey is Unai Emery’s last unchecked box

Unai Emery has made it clear what he intends to do with his new charge at Arsenal, but his to-do list is still missing one crucial check mark.

This summer has gone surprisingly swimmingly for Arsenal. Granted, we still have two months and some change to go, it’s still remarkable how much they’ve been able to do in so little time and with so little money.

Even looking beyond the signings that they have already made, the transfer talk is always centered on the types of players that we need – which is a good sign and an improvement over the sometimes-random links of summers past.

Internally, everything is clicking nicely as well. At least everything that we need to click. The right guys are getting the right contracts, namely Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who has a bright future ahead of him in the midfield of this very club.

Related Story: Arsenal Complete 2017/18 Player Ratings

Even Granit Xhaka, the understated cornerstone midfielder that so many don’t appreciate, has been extended because Unai Emery sees in him a vital presence.

All this to say that things are going rather nicely at the Emirates. Players are signing on for the long haul with a belief in what Emery is doing and transfer targets like Stephan Lichtsteiner are doing the same, despite the obvious things that the Gunners are lacking.

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

It’s promising, if nothing more. Incredibly promising.

But one thing on this to-do list, I would argue the first thing on that list, is still yet to be checked off – Aaron Ramsey.

The Welshman was dynamic for the Gunners this past year, won player of the year, and produced more goals per minute than anyone else – more than most others in the Premier League as well. He was indispensable, to say the least.

With how many other contracts are being signed – Xhaka, Maitland-Niles – I would hope that it points to Ramsey signing a new deal soon too. He probably does have more to think about, like how much he is actually worth (a lot) and how often he wants to play (a lot).

All in all, though, given what has been said by both parties, this is a deal that can be done, and therefore there will be no excuse for it not being done.

Next: 3 Players Impacted By Lucas Torreira Arrival

Ideally, this should mean that it’s only a matter of time before we can breath easier with everyone locked in that needs to be locked in. It would be nice to get all of the stress out of the way early on.