Aaron Ramsey should be Arsenal's captain says Paul Mariner
That’s the surprise opinion of Gunners legend Paul Merson.
Ramsey is into the final 12 months of his current deal with the north London outfit and was linked with a move to Chelsea towards the end of the recent summer transfer window.
The 27-year-old has been a key member of the Arsenal squad across his 10 years at the club but was benched for their defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
The Daily Mirror have reported that Unai Emery’s team were shocked by his decision not to start Ramsey, who contributed 11 goals and 12 assists in just 32 appearances last term, given his status. He was captain for much of pre-season.
Aaron Ramsey's long-term future at Arsenal is up in the air (Image: GETTY)
Aaron Ramsey was surprisingly benched by Unai Emery at Chelsea (Image: GETTY)
Paul Merson believes Aaron Ramsey needs to sign a new deal at Arsenal (Image: GETTY)
And Merson - who played 423 times for Arsenal and scored 99 goals - has told Ramsey that he should extend his terms at the Emirates Stadium because he might not be as important a player as he is at the Emirates Stadium.
"I am shocked he [Ramsey] is still there [at Arsenal],” Merson said on Sky Sports. "He should just sign now.
“I thought Chelsea might come in for him. It is a massive football club.
"He plays every week for Arsenal. He could go elsewhere and might play 15 games."
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Aaron Ramsey has grown into an increasingly important player for Arsenal (Image: GETTY)
Merson’s claims of being shocked do however seem to contradict what he said about Ramsey just last week.
“Arsenal can’t afford to lose him,” Merson told The Debate on Sky Sports.
“He is their best finisher out of the midfield players they’ve got. He usually gets into double figures. If they get rid of him they have to replace him.”
Unai Emery has consistently spoken about wanting to tie the Wales international down to a new long-term deal with Ramsey free to speak to clubs overseas on January 1 if no extension is agreed before then.
The Spanish boss said recently: “For me it’s very important he stays with us.
Aaron Ramsey has just 11 months remaining of his contract at the club (Image: GETTY)
"His experience here in Arsenal and the Premier League is very important and will give us all the information and performances in his quality.
“Then, the contract is for speaking with the club and the players.”
But according to recent reports, no real progress has been made in talks between Ramsey’s representatives and the club.
Ramsey has been at Arsenal since 2008 when he joined from Cardiff at just 17. He has scored 58 goals in 331 appearances for the club in the decade since then.