Arsenal and Aaron Ramsey: The problem with patience

According to Sky Sports, talks are ongoing between Arsenal and Aaron Ramsey regarding a new contract. Patience is required, but there is a problem with waiting.

The future of Aaron Ramsey is yet to be determined. The midfielder has just a year remaining on his contract, is coming off one of the best seasons in his career in which he was named as Arsenal’s Player of the Season, and would certainly be a player of interest for some of the best clubs in the world, clubs that could offer him Champions League, something that won’t be on offer at the Emirates.

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Contract discussions between Ramsey and the club are ongoing, according to Sky Sports, who claim that negotiations have extended throughout the summer and are being pushed forwards by Unai Emery who is a big fan of the Welsh midfielder.

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In these difficult and complicated discussions, patience is absolutely vital. There are many turning wheels that must all fit together with one another and any one of them could scupper the overall progress of the deal. It is important that every minute detail is thrashed out, and that, unfortunately, takes time. But there is a problem with having patience.

With the English clubs voting for the early closure of the summer transfer window, shifting it to before the commencement of the new season, a decision that should have been made many years ago, this summer’s window will end on August 9th, the Thursday before the weekend on which the league season starts. That is now a little over three weeks away. Not a lot of time for teams to get their business done.

And that is where the troubles could come for Arsenal. They are actually running out of time. While it remains to be seen whether Ramsey will accept the terms that are on offer or not — I happen to think that he will and there has been little rumour of potential suitors making an offer which supports such a sentiment –, if he rejects it, then Arsenal will have little time to both sell him for a good price and find a suitable replacement.

Very much akin to the Alexis Sanchez situation last summer in which a £60 million was ultimately rejected because the Gunners did not feel that they could secure the signing of a viable successor in time — the offer did come until transfer deadline day, and while rumours of a £90 million offer for Thomas Lemar surfaced, it was uncertain who the club were readying as their alternative target.

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So yes, Arsenal must be patient as they look to lock Ramsey up for the future. But there is a problem with patience. Plans must put in place in case of the worst scenario, unlike last summer. Let’s hope that the lesson has been learned.