Arsenal: Andre Gomes is a bankrupt man’s Aaron Ramsey

Arsenal are walking a tightrope with Aaron Ramsey just in time for Andre Gomes to emerge. This is nowhere close to an equal reaction.

When I heard of Andre Gomes being linked to Arsenal, I was pretty stoked. Not because I thought that much of Gomes, but because of the potential there, and the depth it would provide. He’s young, he can provide another option, and the upside is better than, say, Ever Banega.

But then the theory got out there that Gomes is only an option for the Gunners if they part ways with Aaron Ramsey, and, needless to say, that is where I draw the line. No, that is so far past the line that would have to be drawn that you couldn’t even see the line anymore.

Gomes isn’t a poor man’s Aaron Ramsey, he is a bankrupt man’s Aaron Ramsey. And yes, it’s possible to overcome bankruptcy, so there is always that teeny-tiny chance that Gomes can live up to Ramsey’s standard, but let’s be real – that isn’t happening.

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Ramsey has, at his absolute worst, contributed to five goals. That was in his limited 2016/17 season where he played just 1200 minutes, scoring one goal and five assists.

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Even going back to 2011/12, before he became Super Rambo, the Welshman still accounted for two goals and four assists. The best year that Andre Gomes has ever had was three goals and three assists, playing 2300 minutes for Valencia.

Now you could say ‘well, that isn’t Gomes’ game’ and that’s fine. But in every other facet of this beautiful game, Gomes is worse than Ramsey. Defensively, Ramsey is better. Ball control, Ramsey is better.

The only category that Gomes has the upper hand in is age. And, well, it’s only by three years. If you want to believe that Gomes can make up the ground that Ramsey has put between them in three short years, then you’re crazy.

There is no comparison here. There is no “tit-for-tat” here. If you replace Ramsey with Gomes, you are taking a massive, massive step backwards. You are depleting the team of their best player, one of their top goal contributors, and you are replacing him with a rotational option – someone that can do some little things, but never match the heroics that Ramsey consistently shows.

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This isn’t a good idea, but we all know that. Now we just have to hope that this ill-fated swap doesn’t happen.