Arsenal will NOT finish in top four and Aaron Ramsey unlikely to sign new deal, insists club legend Nigel Winterburn
The ex-England defender also believes Ramsey will be an attractive option for a host of top clubs across Europe
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ARSENAL legend Nigel Winterburn believes the Gunners will miss out on the top four this season and also lose long-serving midfielder Aaron Ramsey.
If both of those things happened it would be a hammer blow to the club, especially in Unai Emery's first season in charge.
The ex-England defender, who won three league titles and two FA Cups in a long stint with the Gunners, believes it's too big an ask for Emery's side to be challenging Manchester City and Liverpool this season.
, Winterburn said: "I think Arsenal will fall short and will fail to break into the top four this season.
"As Arsenal rebuild and restructure the team, they have to stay around the top four and be in a position to challenge the teams above them, but I think this season has come too soon for the club.
"I don’t see Arsenal being anywhere near Manchester City or Liverpool this season.
"Tottenham and Chelsea are also very strong and have started brightly.
"However, I do think Arsenal and Emery should be looking at the problems at Manchester United and be thinking they can capitalise on Mourinho's struggles."
The ongoing saga regarding Welsh midfielder Ramsey also continues to hang over this club.
Winterburn thinks Ramsey - who has been at the club for over a decade - will look to move on when his current deal runs out, with no shortage of suitors for his signature.
He added: "I think Ramsey isn’t committing to a new Arsenal contract because he wants to see where they finish this season.
"With a new manager coming in, there's a lot of uncertainty around the club and I would probably do the same.
"I think Ramsey loves the club, but he is looking around the dressing room and he isn't convinced this group of players can qualify for major honours in the near future.
"Ramsey will want to find out Emery's plans for him and the signings he is looking to make before he decides if Arsenal can match his ambitions.
"The conundrum for Arsenal is that Ramsey will be looking at the money on the table and thinking it is short of what he should be earning and could be earning elsewhere.
"Ramsey will be looking at what the players around him are being paid and he will want to be on a level playing field with the top performers at the club.
"Ramsey is perfectly entitled to ask for a wage he feels reflects his ability.
"If he is playing well regularly then he deserves to demand a salary on par with Ozil."
On potential interest in Ramsey he said: "With less than a year remaining on his contract, Ramsey is in a very strong negotiating position and is also a very attractive proposition for a lot of big clubs around Europe.
"I’m sure lots of top clubs are monitoring the situation and are ready to poach him.
"I think Manchester United and Chelsea will both battle it out to sign him if they feel he is seriously considering leaving Arsenal.
"I don't think he could get into the Manchester City and Liverpool teams, but it would hurt Arsenal fans to see another of their superstars leave to a Premier League rival.
"I hope Ramsey signs a new contract at Arsenal."
