Henrikh Mkhitaryan has described Aaron Ramsey as a ‘symbol’ for Arsenal as talks continue over a new contract for the Wales midfielder. Ramsey has entered the final 12 months of his contract at the Emirates, but new Gunners boss Unai Emery wants him to remain at the club. Arsenal are on their pre-season tour in Singapore at the moment and Mkhitaryan was quick to praise his team-mate when asked about Ramsey’s future at the club, with Lazio having been linked with the 27-year-old.
“He has been at this club for 10 years already and it seems he has become a symbol for this club,” he said.
“I will be very happy for him if he is going to sign a new contract because he is [part of the] history of Arsenal already and I hope he can become a legend. His work rate is high and everyone appreciates what he does on the pitch and off the pitch because he is a true professional. It is very easy to be next to him on the pitch because he tries to be everywhere to help the team, to score goals, with assists, to tackle and recover balls. That’s why I am going to be very happy if he stays at this club.”
Aaron Ramsey admited he is uncertain about his Arsenal future, with his agent locked in negotiations over a new deal. The Welsh international has entered the final 12 months of his contract at the Emirates, but new boss Unai Emery has made it clear he wants Ramsey to remain at the club.Ramsey, who is reportedly a target for Lazio, remains tight-lipped on his future and is happy to leave his representatives to resolve the situation.
“We’ll see what happens, but my agent and the club are talking,” Ramsey said.”I’m not sure exactly what it hinges on, I’m just leaving it to them to discuss and to figure it out but we are yet to come to an agreement.That’s something that my agent and the club are discussing to try and get something done.”
When asked how long it will take for a resolution, he added: “I’m not sure exactly. It’s taken a bit of time so far so we will have to wait and see.” Ramsey has also offered his support to under-fire team-mate Mesut Ozil, following the negative response he received for retiring from the German national team.”Mesut it is a vital member of the team here and has been great for us over the years so it’s important for us to stand by him,” Ramsey said. “I’m not sure exactly what’s going on, all we know is that we are right behind him, there’s a place for him here and we appreciate everything he gives to this club.”
Lazio are already preparing a replacement for in-demand Real Madrid transfer target Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and could turn to Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsay. Former Brazil and AC Milan midfielder Kaka has confirmed that he is “very interested” in returning to the Serie A giants to take up a non-playing role at the club.
Unai Emery intends to make Aaron Ramsey central to his plans at Arsenal, according to sources. The new Gunners boss – confirmed on Wednesday morning – is understood to have revealed in his interview his hopes for Ramsey, who has just a year left to run on his current contract, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to play important roles.
Ramsey has been in talks with the north London club over a new deal for several months that have yet to result in agreement, and his future at the club following Arsene Wenger’s departure has been widely speculated on.