Aaron Ramsey: Arsenal manager Unai Emery tells Wales midfielder to focus on football
Last updated on .From the section Arsenal
Arsenal manager Unai Emery has told Aaron Ramsey to focus on his football amid ongoing contract talks with the club.
Ramsey's deal ends next summer but Emery has challenged the midfielder to show his "capacity to help the team".
"I only need his focus on training, the matches and on his performance each day," said Emery.
The Welshman, 27, was left out of the starting XI against Chelsea, but could return to face West Ham on Saturday.
Asked whether he felt Ramsey lacked focus, Emery replied: "I don't know, but I am thinking in the present.
"I spoke with him last week but now, today, my focus is on the match and I want the player to be focused only on Saturday."
The Gunners have seen on-pitch matters overshadowed by drawn-out contract negotiations before, with the futures of Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Jack Wilshere having proved a headache to former manager Arsene Wenger.
Sanchez and Wilshere have since moved elsewhere, while 29-year-old German midfielder Mesut Ozil - who announced his retirement from international football after this summer's World Cup - became the highest-paid player in the club's history when he signed fresh terms in January.
BBC Sport understands the north London club have offered Wales international Ramsey a new contract, but reports suggest he is seeking a significant increase in wages on his current deal.
Ramsey joined the Gunners in 2008 in a £4.8m move from hometown club Cardiff City, and the midfielder has scored 36 goals in 234 Premier League appearances.
Former Arsenal defender and BBC pundit Martin Keown has said Arsenal should be "desperate" to keep hold of Ramsey, who has won three FA Cups with the club, scoring two match-winning goals at Wembley.
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On his day an outstanding talent. But this is Arsenals problem. For too long a team stuffed full of talent but which only displays it only half the time. If we're lucky.
Beautiful football and purist ethics get you so far. Grit, determination and x-factor take you the rest of the way.
Sureal.
Why do you need to bring religion into this discussion?
What bearing does his religion have on his ability to kick a ball?
Another player that appears not to give a toss about his team- just his pocket.
He will be a multi millionaire anywhere.
What other job in the real world would double your pay?
Maybe Play Your Cards Right with Bruce Forsyth. Nobody else wants to sign him do they? Tell him to get stuffed and transfer him. Delusional
Very true...how can the rest of the Arsenal squad look up to the highest earner Ozil and think he deserves it.
350 grand a week?
National minimum wage would be about right for him.
He will see out his contract though as there is no club would take him on for thise wages.
Did you just say arsenal look like they are going to do a Leeds?
You know Leeds went down due to financial mismanagement and overspending right?
Not sure how you can compare that to probably the most profitable well run football club in the country possibly excluding Man Utd.
We need to go invest more but won’t be doing a leeds anytime soon