Unai Emery backs Aaron Ramsey to stay at Arsenal and push for captaincy

The Gunners want to tie the 27-year-old down to a new long-term deal as head coach Emery views him as an important part of his plans going forward

Unai Emery believes Aaron Ramsey will stay at Arsenal and has the credentials to captain the club.

Ramsey is currently in talks with Arsenal over a new contract as he has just one year to run on his present deal.

The Gunners want to tie the 27-year-old down to a new long-term deal as head coach Emery views him as an important part of his plans going forward.

The transfer window for Premier League clubs is due to shut on 9 August and, at this moment in time, Emery believes Ramsey is set to stay at Arsenal.

“Football changes every day. I think about the match today first, then training tomorrow, the match on Saturday to continue our preparation,” said Emery.

“For me, I want him to stay with us, to work with us, to give the team the big performances with his quality. I think he is going to stay here with us.

“I think Aaron is an important player for us. The contract is one thing for the club and the player.”

Ramsey captained Arsenal in Singapore on Thursday as they went down 3-1 on penalties to Atletico Madrid after being tied 1-1 after 90 minutes.

It is the second time the Wales international has skippered the side in pre-season after also wearing the armband for a half against Borehamwood.

This is the second time Ramsey has skippered the side this pre-season (Getty Images for ICC)

Emery’s current plan is to have five captains in his Arsenal squad, with the players ranked from one to five in regards to who is the first-choice skipper.

And Ramsey has now been singled out as a contender by Emery, who is still yet to make an official announcement on who will replace retired captain Per Mertesacker.

“I said to you I want five captains in the team,” said Emery. “Then the numbers we are going to give to them, the first, the second, third, four and five.

“This is not yet official, this decision. But Aaron has the condition to be one of the captains.”

As well as the future of Aaron Ramsey, a decision over whether chief executive Ivan Gazidis will stay is also a pressing matter for Arsenal.

Arsenal coach Unai Emery wants five captains in his squad (REUTERS)

The 53-year-old is being heavily linked with a similar role at AC Milan, who are now in the hands of US hedge fund Elliot Management.

Arsenal released a statement from chairman Sir Chips Keswick on Wednesday saying Gazidis has always been fully committed to the club, however, reports in Italy have not died down.

Emery, for his part, has admitted he is uncertain what Gazidis will do as the pair are only ever in discussions about improving Arsenal.

“Ivan when I arrived, the first meeting was with him. He’s a very good person, a very good professional. He has lots of experience in the football world,” said Emery.

“Every day we are doing meetings together, speaking about the Arsenal project, speaking about how we can improve, how we can work together and move forward as a club.

“I don’t know what he is going to do because I only speak with him on the Arsenal project.”