Aaron Ramsey has explained he chose to join Arsenal over Manchester United and Liverpool to kickstart his career.
Ramsey, 33, is now back playing with hometown club Cardiff City in the Championship, but spent the majority of his career with Arsenal, making 369 appearances for the Gunners in 11 years with the club.
He won three FA Cups while at the Emirates, scoring the winner in two finals, and was the studio guest on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football for Nottingham Forest against Crystal Palace.
The midfielder went into detail on his career with a focus on his time at Arsenal, and opened up on joining the club as a 17-year-old and how he spoke to a number of other clubs.
Ultimately, however, he would choose the Gunners, and outlined why during his appearance on Sky’s show.
Aaron Ramsey has explained why he joined Arsenal in 2008 ahead of Liverpool and Manchester United
Ramsey, now 33, would go onto make over 300 appearances at Arsenal after joining Arsene Wenger (left)
After discussions with Liverpool, Manchester United and Everton, he would pen a deal with the Gunners as a 17-year-old
Ramsey was shown around Manchester United’s training ground, though it was the assistant manager at the time who did so due to manager Sir Alex Ferguson being away.
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Though Ramsey couldn’t remember the name of the coach, it appears it was Rene Meulensteen, who was Ferguson’s assistant between 2008 and 2013.
‘He (Ferguson) was on the phone a few times,’ Ramsey said. ‘But it was the assistant manager at the time.
‘There were some discussions with Rafa (Benitez, Liverpool manager). But they couldn’t really get to the fee. They could do something around the £1million or £2m mark but I think it went towards the five and that was the end of that.
‘Rafa was very good and the presentation he gave was superb. I went to David Moyes’ house as well, he was very accommodating.’
Ramsey went onto work under Arsene Wenger, who helped him win the FA Cup on three occasions before leaving the club in 2018.
The Wales midfielder explained what it was that drew him to the Gunners, where he would go on and excel.
‘Why Arsenal? I felt like he (Wenger) really wanted me,’ Ramsey said. ‘He was doing the Euros at the time and they flew me over there when he had a few hours off.
‘We had lunch… everything about him and his vision and his plans. He had a really detailed plan and the amount of young players he brought through and have gone on was appealing to me. For example, (Cesc) Fabregas – so I felt really wanted by Arsenal.’
He revealed he spoke to Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez (pictured), though Liverpool could not reach the fee required
Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United also spoke to Ramsey, showing him around the training ground
Ramsey also spoke on how he was ready to commit to Arsenal before leaving the club in 2018
Ramsey himself would leave Arsenal in 2019, signing for Juventus before going onto play for Nice and finally Cardiff.
He opened up on how he wanted to stay with the Gunners, but that it wasn’t possible in the end.
‘It was a very weird time,’ he said. ‘I wanted to commit my future to Arsenal.
‘We just went through a change in manager. I said I am happy, let’s go, then it all went a bit quiet. I don’t know the ins and outs of why, I imagine it was the new manager wanting to see the squad, but I didn’t see anything beyond that.
‘I was Arsenal through and through, but then it all went quiet and I had to make a decision and you can start talking to clubs. There were a few discussions.’
