Key Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey gave the club the best news he could save for an early injury return this week, when he signed a new contract with the Gunners.
The new deal will take him up until 2018 at the club, superb news concerning a player who had netted 13 goals in the first half of the season before his fitness troubles.
Discussing his renewed deal at the club, Ramsey reflected back on the journey which took him to Arsenal in the first place; almost ending up at Manchester United or Everton instead.
He told Arsenal.com: “I had a few tough decisions at that time, I was travelling to a few different clubs at the time.
“When I knew Cardiff were going to sell me, the manager [Arsène Wenger] was doing the Euros at the time so he flew me and my family out and my agent to Switzerland to meet him in person and to have a conversation.
“We had a meal as well together so it was just to show how much he wanted me and what he believed he could help me turn into. That really won it for me and I feel like I’ve made the right decision in coming here.”
It certainly was a real battle for the Welshman’s signature, and David Moyes in two ways missed out on signing him.
The United boss revealed last year how Ramsey went to visit him at Everton, Arsene Wenger swiping his signature away from him, the Scotsman clearly not having the same effect.
He told SkySports last year: “Yes, I was very close to signing Aaron when I was at Everton. I had him and his family in my house but Arsenal beat me to it.”
Moyes could even have had him when he arrived at United this season. The Red Devils made the step of announcing on their official website that they had agreed a fee with Cardiff for his signature, stating: “Manchester United is delighted to announce it has agreed terms with Cardiff City for the transfer of Aaron Ramsey subject to contract terms being agreed and the player passing a medical.”
The difference a fit and firing Ramsey could have made to United’s limp midfield right now is immeasurable, their loss being Arsenal’s gain.
So what was it about Wenger which convinced Ramsey to do a deal, once he met up with him? Ramsey elaborated:
“Arsenal have brought through so many great young players and turned them into world-class players. He gives youngsters opportunities and if he feels that you’re good enough he’ll play you so those factors were massive for me.
“I just felt really wanted by this club.”
Written by Steve Milne
