Reports claim Arsenal have currently started a negotiating process with Aaron Ramsey and Danny Welbeck to extend their contracts. Their current ones are set to end in another 18 months and a repeat of the Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil saga would not sit well with the Arsenal faithful.
Both Ramsey and Welbeck have been integral parts of Arsenal’s current campaign. Arsene Wenger has mostly deployed Ramsey in the defensive midfield position alongside Granit Xhaka in the Premier League which saw him grab 3 goals and 8 assists. He has been impressive in the new 3-4-3 setup to provide a good balance from the midfield position with his impressive backdoor runs and creativity in formulating Arsenal attacks. Fans are starting to see the Welshman slowly return to his former self, which saw him win the Arsenal player of the season 4 years back before a series of injuries robbed him of consistent game time.
Danny Welbeck started the season strong after the loss of Oxlade Chamberlain to Liverpool and took up the wing position alongside Alexandre Lacazette. Unfortunately, he faced another period on the sidelines after picking up a groin injury in the 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge. He is slowly finding his way back into the first squad and featured in the 6-0 win against BATE Borisov on Thursday.
The 27-year-old arrived at the North London club in the summer of 2014 for a fee of £16 million and since has faced his share of time off the pitch with constant injuries. The manager clearly has faith in his talents, a good sign towards the path of resurrection.
Sanchez and Ozil both have their foot at the exit door with multiple clubs interested in them. Arsenal might look to cash in on the two players early in January instead of letting them walk for free at the end of the season. If that situation does occur, the club will have a huge gap to fill in the attacking setup to face the second half of the season.
Santi Cazorla’s recent injury developments come as a heartbreak to the Gunners with him undergoing yet another surgery this week. His uncertain return date along with the loss of Sanchez and Ozil will heavily compound Arsenal’s problems in the creative department. Ramsey’s contract extension will come as some sort of positive reassurance for the club with Jack Wilshere eager to find his way back into the first team.
Players like Welbeck, Ramsey, Theo Walcott and Wilshere will be heavily relied upon to take up major roles for the club.
With multiple targets already in Arsenal’s books as possible replacements, Wenger is still hopeful about re-signing the two stars at the end of the season.
