Arsenal: 5 internal Aaron Ramsey replacements

Aaron Ramsey will leave Arsenal this summer, and the club must replace him. But he can be replaced from within. Here are five internal solutions.

With Aaron Ramsey leaving Arsenal for Juventus, the club seems determined to find a replacement. However, I believe that this should not be a priority going into the summer window, especially given the club’s apparently restrictive wage budget. In my opinion, the limited funds should be spent in other positions, such as central defense, left-back, and winger. Replacing Ramsey can be done from promoting and adjusting from within the preexisting infrastructure of the squad.

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Here are five players from within who can adopt to and fill the void left by Ramsey.

5. Reiss Nelson

Reiss Nelson impressed many during his loan at Hoffenheim, leaving many to ask why on earth did Arsenal loaned him out in the first place? However, I believe the loan was incredibly intelligent. Nelson seems as sharp as ever and the loan improved his game massively. It appears as if his favored position is actually on the wing, but I have no doubt in my mind that the 19-year-old Englishman could do a job in the middle of the park. Nelson appears to have a bright future with the club. Who is to say it is not in a central attacking position?

4. Emile Smith Rowe

Another youngster who may be a good option for adopting the roll is Emile Smith Rowe. The 18-year-old has been on the scene for a very short amount of time but is already impressing many who have watched him. The young English talent was sent out on an unsuccessful loan in last season’s January transfer window that was unfortunately ruined by injuries.

Smith Rowe only managed three appearances with Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, but they apparently would like him back with an option to buy. That shows how highly they rate the Arsenal youngster. A player as promising as Smith Rowe should be held onto tightly and given a chance to showcase his abilities.

3. Joe Willock

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Joe Willock, a 19-year-old Arsenal youth product, has been touted as the next Aaron Ramsey by many hopeful fans, given his recent, promising appearances for the club. Willock has been in impressive goalscoring form with the under 23’s this season and, as a reward, was promoted to the first team, where he established himself as one of the club’s most exciting prospects.

Deeming a player such as Willock as ‘the next Ramsey’ can create a lot of pressure, especially for a 19-year-old, so fans need to be careful with their expectations somewhat. Meanwhile, the club must give him a chance to prove himself without throwing in the deep end.

2. Alex Iwobi

Alex Iwobi is hands down the most criticized player in the entire squad. At times, he does warrant the criticism he gets, but many times, it is taken too far. Many fail to realize that he does have huge potential and could yet turn into an excellent player.

Iwobi is one of the few players in the squad that will actually take a defender on and try to create something forcefully if the game is not going his way. He has quick feet, smart passing, and excellent creativity and vision.

The Nigerian has stated that his favored position is actually in the middle of the park, so maybe now that this Ramsey conundrum needs solving, he will get his chance to play in his preferred position.

1. Alexandre Lacazette

It is no secret that Alexandre Lacazette is not a genuine number 10 like Ramsey is. However, the Frenchman has shown on numerous occasions that he has an abundance of creativity along with the capability of scoring goals. He managed to bag an impressive eight assists in the Premier League season along with his 13 goals.

Moving Lacazette into the central attacking midfield position would allow his strike partner, Pierre Emerick Aubameyeng, to play in his favored, striker position, rather than on the wing, the pair potentially being able to play in unison without harming either of them.

Ramsey was a massive loss, especially given the fact that he walked away for absolutely nothing. However, the Welshman can be replaced with an abundance of players from within the own squad. Whether or not the club decide to promote youth from within, or adjust certain player position is to be determined, but there are options there.