Arsenal’s longest tenured player, midfielder Aaron Ramsey, has now officially played his final game in a Gunners shirt. Arsenal manager Unai Emery confirmed as much when speaking to the media ahead of his side’s UEFA Europa League semifinal first leg at home versus Valencia tomorrow night.
The Welshman, who joined from Cardiff City in 2008, suffered a hamstring injury in the Europa League quarterfinal second leg match at Napoli. Emery confirmed that Ramsey is unavailable for the run in, which includes the two legged Europa League semifinal tie, as well as their final two Premier League fixtures against Brighton & Hove Albion and Burnley FC.
Aaron Ramsey agreed to a deal in the January transfer window, to join Juventus on a free, and with no transfer fee or release clause to pay, the Italian side will pay him quite a handsome salary when he joins the side this summer. He accomplished a lot in north London, and Gooners will no doubt be said to learn that he won’t be suiting up again.
Obviously, the team could really use all hands on deck in their quest for a UEFA Champions League berth, whether it be through the UEL or trying to finish in the Premier League top four, and this news means Emery has one less selection option.
Arsenal FC at Valencia (UEFA Europa League semifinal Leg 1/2) FYIs
Kickoff- Thursday May 2, Emirates Stadium 8pm
Arsenal starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Injury report for both sides: go to this link
Odds via Betfair- Chelsea 19/10, Draw 5/2, Valencia 3/1
Odds to qualify Chelsea 8/11, Valencia 11/10
Prediction- Arsenal 1, Valencia 0
With both English clubs now through to the semi-final round, it seems very likely that one of them will win it all. Maybe we could have a London derby final too!
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets:Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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