Arsenal are running out of options - they need to bring back Aaron Ramsey
Martin Macdonald
- 22 Jan 2022 14:55 GMT
- 3 min read
Against Liverpool at Anfield in the League Cup this week, Arsenal started the match with just one recognised central midfielder in Albert Sambi Lokonga.
With personnel light in that position, manager Mikel Arteta opted to deploy an attacking formation, basically with five attackers in Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Alexandre Lacazette.
It didn't work, as Liverpool controlled things and eventually won 2-0.
Arsenal initially received a bit of positive news with the return of Thomas Partey off the bench after he had been away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
However, he would get himself sent off after two yellow cards.
TRENDING
That is the second game of this tie that Arsenal have had a central midfielder sent off after Granit Xhaka saw red in the first time.
Whether it be due to injuries, AFCON, or silly red cards, Arteta is constantly having to patch up his central midfield.
Even when fully fit, none of his central midfielders are particularly awe-inspiring.
In the January transfer window Arsenal are desperately seeking to sign a new centre-forward, specifically Dusan Vlahovic of Fiorentina.
But, they should be putting as much, if not more effort, into finding midfield recruits.
Why Arsenal should go for Ramsey
At the moment, Arsenal have Xhaka, Partey, Mohamed Elneny, Lokonga and youngster Charlie Patino who can play central midfield.
One worse that would certainly not be used to describe the majority of those players is reliable, and that is exactly what Aaron Ramsey is.
The Welshman is currently at Juventus, but the Italian giants are keen to get rid of him in order to get his massive wages off their salary bill.
Juve head coach Massimiliano Allegri said in the build-up to a match versus Milan that Ramsey will leave this month, saying:
“Aaron has tested negative for Covid-19 but, as you know, he’s not with the team and is set to leave the club [this month]."
According to reports, he has already rejected Newcastle, Wolves and Burnley, while Crystal Palace have pulled out of the race to sign him.
A return to Arsenal has been mentioned previously and met with scepticism.
But, Ramsey proved at Euro 2020 that he can sill perform to his best, and it isn't an exaggeration to say that he would perhaps be Arsenal's best central midfielder should he make a return.
Yes, Arsenal need more than one signings in central midfield and Ramsey should not be treated as a marquee acquisition.
But, he would be available at a knockdown price, while the club can afford to pay at least a decent amount of his wage demands.
The current crop of midfielders at the club have proved time and time again that they cannot be trusted, especially Xhaka, and new blood is required.
Though, perhaps old blood is an option too.
