Arsenal: Andre Gomes can try to replace Aaron Ramsey

Arsenal are reportedly intensifying their pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes. It only makes sense if he is a replacement for Aaron Ramsey. I’m not sure, however, if he’s the right one.

In the remaining weeks of the transfer window prior to the commencement of the new season, there is no more pressing issue this summer for Arsenal to resolve than the future of last year’s Player of the Season and all-around influencer, Aaron Ramsey.

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The Welshman has just a year to run on his current contract and, while talks have been ongoing for some time, extending from the back end of last season right to the present day, there has been seemingly little progress in the negotiations of a new one.

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Ultimately, a decision must soon be made. If Ramsey rejects the Gunners’ best offer, then he must be sold. And if he is sold, then he must also be replaced, a task that is becoming increasingly harder with every passing day as the August 9th transfer deadline looms large.

And there has been little talk of possible Ramsey replacements. In fact, there’s been little talk of a Ramsey exit altogether, which is somewhat odd considering the position that he and the club are currently in.

That said, Arsenal have been linked to midfield recruitments throughout the summer, even signing one in Lucas Torreira from Sampdoria. Some of these rumours haven’t really made sense with Ramsey still present, but if his exit is factored into the equation, suddenly it all comes together quite nicely.

One such name is Barcelona’s Andre Gomes, for whom talks have intensified over the weekend according to some media reports. Gomes has been tentatively linked with a transfer to the Emirates throughout the summer, though nothing concrete has ever really emerged, and Barcelona are reportedly wanting to sell the fringe midfielder to raise funds for other investments.

The problem with the Arsenal links, though, was that he didn’t really fit. Mohamed Elneny, Granit Xhaka, Alex Iwobi, Mesut Ozil, and of course Ramsey, all offer players hugely adept with the ball at their feet, playing passes through the phases in possession of the ball, and either setting a metronomic tempo of play from a deeper position or opening up defences and creating chances in the final third. Why would Gomes be needed?

But that whole scenario is completely tipped on its head if Ramsey departs. Ramsey is the fulcrum of the team, the beating heart of the midfield, the individual who Unai Emery reportedly wants to build everything around. If he were to leave, then a viable and adept replacement must be found, and given the relative youthful weakness in the squad, they would have to come from an external source. Perhaps Gomes could be that man.

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Is he proficient enough to replace the boundless energy, the surging runs, the goal contributions, and the all-around influence on games that Ramsey provides? I don’t really know. But if Emery believes that he can, it would explain many of the mysteries surrounding the reported summer-long chase. If it comes to it, maybe Gomes is the man to try and replace Ramsey.