I believe we are offering Wilshere a pay cut.

[Pokster]

He didn't say he couldn't play - he said he couldn't play in midfield. And given that he is 27 years old and we have yet to see him ever prove that he could play there, it seems a fair view imo.

Surely depends on what your view of a midfield player is It seems he carries out instructions form his manager to a tee, scores plenty of goals and covers the ground better than others in that position. Seems to me that he can play midfield but perhaps the other players around him are the ones that need changing?

[PSRB]

you've got to admire The Arsenal's balls on this one.
Could only be bettered by a 'pay as you play' contract.

I believe it sort of is, if he stays fit then the contract will actually be a considerable improvement on his current one

[redgunamo]

I believe it sort of is, if he stays fit then the contract will actually be a considerable improvement on his current one

Have you bought Theo yet?

[World's End Stella]

Surely depends on what your view of a midfield player is It seems he carries out instructions form his manager to a tee, scores plenty of goals and covers the ground better than others in that position. Seems to me that he can play midfield but perhaps the other players around him are the ones that need changing?

His average over the past 3 seasons in the league is 4 goals and 3.7 assists per season, that is a rather generous definition of 'plenty'. And given that he has shown himself to be an utter liability defensively (I point you to the 4-0 defeat at Liverpool as one of many examples) if he isn't scoring them or creating them, what use is he?

And if by 'covers the ground better than others' you mean he endlessly pushes forward regardless of the situation and is slow to track back, then I agree with you. There are those that would question that this is a good thing, however. Me among them.

[Pokster]

His average over the past 3 seasons in the league is 4 goals and 3.7 assists per season, that is a rather generous definition of 'plenty'. And given that he has shown himself to be an utter liability defensively (I point you to the 4-0 defeat at Liverpool as one of many examples) if he isn't scoring them or creating them, what use is he?

And if by 'covers the ground better than others' you mean he endlessly pushes forward regardless of the situation and is slow to track back, then I agree with you. There are those that would question that this is a good thing, however. Me among them.

How many games has he played over that 3 season stat list? The Liverpool game you mention ( and this point has been poiinted out on TV) was that he was receiving instructions from the bench while the defensive cock up was happening. Not tracking back is certainly a less of a problem with him as it is with GX, who seems to let anyone who wants to run off him do it.
He pushes forward as that is what he has been instructed to do by AW, certainly during the second half of games.

[Peter]

Come now Pedro, a modicum of restraint here please coupled with some sort of knowledge of the game and/or position.

Ramsey is either playing with a) no tactical restriction or instruction or b) playing with no tactical restriction or instruction within a midfield combination which is devoid of order or balance.

To say he simply cannot play is a nonsense.

He is playing with the same tactical restriction or instruction as anyone else. That is not entirely relevant anyway. He refuses to play in midfield, or at least in either of the deeper central roles, because he does not want the ball from the back four and hates receiving it under pressure.

Once Ozil leaves Ramsey may well be fine in a role further forward. THat really doesnt help us with the two deeper roles which are clearly the problem, and where Jack is clearly the best option.

I hope that clarifies the situation as I see it. Happy to provide further information but I shall not be trading any mudslinging of the 'who knows best' variety.

[Peter]

His average over the past 3 seasons in the league is 4 goals and 3.7 assists per season, that is a rather generous definition of 'plenty'. And given that he has shown himself to be an utter liability defensively (I point you to the 4-0 defeat at Liverpool as one of many examples) if he isn't scoring them or creating them, what use is he?

And if by 'covers the ground better than others' you mean he endlessly pushes forward regardless of the situation and is slow to track back, then I agree with you. There are those that would question that this is a good thing, however. Me among them.

He covers plenty of ground, just not the ground he is supposed to be actually covering.

Not entirely his fault, he is just not suited to that role.

[Pokster]

His average over the past 3 seasons in the league is 4 goals and 3.7 assists per season, that is a rather generous definition of 'plenty'. And given that he has shown himself to be an utter liability defensively (I point you to the 4-0 defeat at Liverpool as one of many examples) if he isn't scoring them or creating them, what use is he?

And if by 'covers the ground better than others' you mean he endlessly pushes forward regardless of the situation and is slow to track back, then I agree with you. There are those that would question that this is a good thing, however. Me among them.

scores a goal every 7 PL games, gets a goal or assist on average every 3 and a bit games... seems that those are not bad stats for a midfield player

[redgunamo]

He covers plenty of ground, just not the ground he is supposed to be actually covering.

Not entirely his fault, he is just not suited to that role.

It's easy to work hard at things you're not actually supposed to be doing?

[Ash]

It's easy to work hard at things you're not actually supposed to be doing?

Definitely.

Much easier than working hard at things you are supposed to be doing.