Arsenal: Aaron Ramsey is a testament to himself

Aaron Ramsey is playing superbly for Arsenal, despite his impending departure in the summer. That is a credit to his character and commitment.

Alexis Sanchez made leaving Arsenal as difficult as possible. He had little interest in the club. He felt nothing for the fans. There was no loyalty shown from him to the organisation that signed him from Barcelona and turned him into a Premier League superstar. This was greed and selfishness personified.

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In the end, he moved to the highest bidder, the United side of Manchester. But his character flaws had already been exposed in his behaviour beforehand. Refusing to play, sulking on the sidelines, his teammates not celebrating with him after a goal against Crystal Palace. There was an Alexis-shaped rift.

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Contrast the turbulence of Sanchez’s extended transfer saga to the decorum and respect of Aaron Ramsey’s final season at the club. Sure, there are grievances over the finances not working out. I am sure Ramsey was the not happiest when Arsenal rescinded their verbally agreed offer in September. But the little drama that there has been is dwarfed by what it could have been.

And all the while, Ramsey has continued to play some of his best football. Especially of late, the Welshman’s energetic, bounding style in the midfield has been essential to the team’s success. After Thursday’s 2-0 win over Napoli, Unai Emery could not contain his pleasure at his midfielder’s performance:

"“Awesome. Awesome. I think he wants to do something important with us, to help us do something because I think he feels a lot for Arsenal.”"

Debates can be held about how good a footballer Ramsey actually is. There can be wild discussions regarding whether he is a legend of the club or not, or if he ever truly fulfilled his potential, or would Manchester United have been a better club for him to join in 2008 when he rejected them to work with Arsene Wenger.

But one thing that cannot be questioned is Ramsey’s character. His commitment and application this season has been impeccable. Not once has he complained. Not once has he not tried his utmost. Not once has he begun to cast his mind forward to what life will be like at Juventus next season. He has been fully focused and committed to a club that couldn’t afford him.

Much lesser men would not have responded how Ramsey has this season. Alexis Sanchez did not respond as Ramsey has. It is a testament to the Welshman that there have been no reported riffs, no leaks of disruptions in training or fights in the dressing room. There has been no suggestion of anything untoward happening. And it would have been very easy for this all to end extremely sourly.

How great a player Ramsey is, I do not know. Whether he is a club legend I also could not say. But I can say that his character is phenomenal, and he has proven as much and more this season.