Former Arsenal manager Unai Emery has revealed that he had no influence on the decision to part ways with midfielder Aaron Ramsey last summer. The Wales international was tipped to sign a new contract with the Gunners during the first half of the previous season but the club made a surprise U-turn to walk away from the deal.
As a result, the midfielder was allowed to enter the final six months of his deal at the turn of the year and he therefore took the option to sign a pre-contract agreement with Juventus. During that time, there was the suggestion that Emery may have contributed to the club’s decision but the Spaniard has now refuted those claims.
He told TuttoJuve: “The decisions were made by the club and Ramsey himself. The player decided to leave and moved to a big team, which inevitably led him to another football. Aaron will be a very important player for Juventus; he has the same ambition. I congratulated him because he chose a team where he can win so much. Juve is a big name in European and world football. After so many years in England, this is a great challenge for him.”
Ramsey made an indifferent start to the campaign with the Bianconeri this term as he struggled with fresh calf problems. However, he has managed to get into contention for regular gametime during the backend of the season and has recently stood out with two goals and one assist from the previous two league games.
That includes a goal and an assist during the 2-0 win over Inter Milan this month which has put Juventus back at the top of the table. Still, the Turin giants are just one point ahead of second-placed Lazio and they have a tough challenge to retain the Scudetto when the league resumes after the suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic.