Martin Keown terms Arsenal’s decision to let Ramsey leave as ‘sickening’
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has termed the club’s decision to let Aaron Ramsey depart on a free transfer at the end of the season as ‘sickening’.
The Gunners were under pressure to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat to West Ham last week, knowing that a defeat against Chelsea would put them nine points adrift of their London rivals.
However, Unai Emery’s side closed the gap on Chelsea to three points with a 2-0 win at the Emirates on Saturday, keeping themselves in the race for the top four.
First-half goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Laurent Koscielny sealed three points for the hosts but it was Aaron Ramsey who played a pivotal role in the triumph.
And Martin Keown has aimed a dig at his former club for retracting the contract extension that they had put on the table for Ramsey. The club legend also believes that Arsenal are commiting a huge blunder by letting Ramsey depart, a decision that can hamper their progress and development as a unit.
“It’s the saddest thing of all really, how well he executed the plan today but in possession and out of possession,” he told BT Sport.
“He’s obviously doing that to such an extent that [Mesut] Ozil can’t get near the team.
“But Ramsey’s not going to be part of their future and I find that sad.
“I find it a little bit sickening that he’s going to be leaving, they’re trying to make progress and one player who was singly so important won’t be a part of Arsenal’s future.”
Reports claim that Ramsey has already signed a pre-contract agreement with Juventus and the Welshman is set to head for the exit door at Emirates come the end of the season.
“It’s madness and he’s going to Turin and Italy next season,” Keown added.
“It’s not as if he’s going to some Mickey Mouse team, he’s going to one of the best teams in Europe.
“Arsenal have lost him and I don’t know who’s making those decisions.”
