That’s it? Arsenal’s brief statement on Aaron Ramsey

It’s official now. Aaron Ramsey will be playing in Serie A next season for Juventus. It was announced today on the Turin club’s website that the midfielder signed a pre-contract agreement to join the Italian giants beginning on July 1, 2019. Ramsey has done well for himself as he will earn over £400,000 a week with his new club. As for Arsenal; the club should be embarrassed at how it dealt with this situation.

Ramsey’s 11-year career in North London will come to an end this May. Many fans are still in disbelief at the handling of his contract negotiations by the Arsenal board. Ramsey has given so much to the Gunners throughout his career that it’s sad to see his time with the club end this way.

In announcing his departure, Arsenal released the following statement:

Aaron’s made a fantastic contribution to our club since joining from Cardiff City in 2008. He has always been a consummate professional and will always have a special place in the hearts and memories of Arsenal fans around the world.

We look forward to Aaron helping the team to a strong end to this season before he joins Juventus in the summer.

That’s it. Two sentences to announce the departure of a loyal servant and popular figure among fans. Perhaps I am jumping the gun. Maybe the club is going to have a special sendoff for the Welshman. Whatever happens between now and the end of the season, it’s shocking to see how indifferent the decision makers have been towards the Ramsey situation.

Ramsey’s Arsenal resume includes:

• In 256 appearances he scored 38 goals and provided 46 assists.
• He was named the club’s Player of the Season in 2013-2014 and again for 2017-2018.
• Ramsey scored the winning goal in the 109th minute of the 2014 FA Cup Final against Hull which ended Arsenal’s nine year trophy drought.
• Ramsey again scored the winner for the Gunners in the 2017 FA Cup Final. Arsenal defeated Chelsea 2-1 and picked up its third FA Cup trophy in four years.

The victor of this adventure is Ramsey. He’ll be laughing himself all the way to the bank and enjoying some good cooking at the same time. The losers and villains are the decision makers at Arsenal who allowed a star player’s contract to run down, only to see him leave the club that made him a star for free.