Aaron Ramsey has revealed he thought he had reached an agreement with Arsenal over a new contract only for the club to perform a U-turn but he has promised to make what stands to be his 11th and final season in north London a memorable one.
The 27-year-old, whose deal expires next June, made it clear it was the club’s decision to withdraw the offer of fresh terms rather than his own to walk away from the talks, although he stopped short of giving his feelings on the situation.
Ramsey has started six of the club’s eight Premier League games this season but there have been questions as to whether he is an ideal fit for Unai Emery’s style of play. The midfielder sought a large pay rise and the suspicion has been that Arsenal do not want to push the boat out for him because they have other options in the centre.
“Everything has been going great with the club – we thought we were in a position where we had agreed a deal but that’s no longer the case,” Ramsey said. “So I just have to carry on playing my football and do my best for Arsenal this season and I’ll leave the rest with the club.
“Am I disappointed? That’s a decision they have made and things happen in football and you just have to get on with it. That’s all I am concentrating on and giving my best for Arsenal.”
Arsenal could receive a fee for Ramsey by selling him in January but the Wales international, who played in the 4-1 home defeat by Spain on Thursday, did not sound as though he was planning for a mid-season move.
“Would I stay for the rest of the season? Of course, yeah,” he said. “I am contracted to Arsenal and I am going to do my best to try and achieve something special.”
Emery has said he does not expect the contractual situation of the squad’s longest-serving player to affect Ramsey’s performance levels. Ramsey joined Arsenal from Cardiff in 2008 for £5m and has won three FA Cups, scoring the winning goals in the 2014 and 2017 finals against Hull and Chelsea respectively.