Earlier this month, reports emerged claiming that Arsenal will look to offload Aaron Ramsey in the summer and while most fans believe this is ridiculous, there are a few reasons why they might.

Wages

If the reports are true that Ramsey is deliberately running down the final 18 months of this Arsenal contract in order to get a better deal, this is one reason to sell him.

As key as the midfielder is, Arsenal can’t be paying every player whatever amount they demand, especially if they’re injury-prone… although I’ll get more in a bit.

As it stands, the 27-year-old allegedly gets £110k-per-week and while no one would disagree that, when he’s fit and playing his best, he’s worth it, this isn’t the case a lot of the time.

If players like Ramsey and Jack Wilshere are able to demand the same wages as players like Mesut Ozil, what does that say about Arsenal’s wage structure?

It’s not sustainable.

Ozil is a rare case – I’ve not seen one fan genuinely complain about his £300kpw wages – because he makes a massive difference to the team. While the 29-year-old might be ‘ill’ a lot and has the odd game off due to his knee problem flaring up, he isn’t actually sidelined for long.

Why would Arsenal keep Ramsey if he’s demanding massive wages when they could sign another midfielder or recruit someone from within who will do a decent enough job, stay fit and play for half the wages?

Injuries

Like it or not, Ramsey is injury-prone. This season, he’s already been sidelined for 10 matches and Arsene Wenger’s had to ensure he doesn’t go on international duty for Wales’ upcoming friendlies because he needs to have a small procedure.

As much as I love Ramsey and recognise what a key player he can be when fit and playing in the right position, there’s only so much good a key player can do from the stands…

The midfielder’s injury woes aren’t new either. Ever since his Ryan Shawcross broke his leg in 2010, he’s been unable to go a season without succumbing to injury – apart from 2012/13.

This means that Arsenal can’t rely on him and perhaps they see selling him in the summer as the better of two evils. Sell him, get someone else decent in who may not be as brilliant in terms of ability but will be consistent… and present.

Otherwise, they could end up agreeing a huge contract with the Welshman, only for him to pick up another hamstring strain and be ruled out for weeks.

Having a fit Ramsey in the team makes them play completely differently but, when he’s barely in the team, what’s the point?

Dominance

If the reports are true that Ramsey is trying to hold Arsenal to ransom after Ozil did the same in January and essentially got what he wanted, then the club might sell him just to make a statement.

It’s one thing handing Ozil a considerable pay rise but it’s another giving it to an injury-prone player like Ramsey. If the midfielder were to get his way, even more players are going to start demanding higher wages.

No one is bigger than the club and by selling Ramsey after he made demands, it could send a message to the rest of the squad that their belly-aching about not earning enough will fall on deaf ears. See how many of them actually find another club considering the team’s form in the Premier League this season and see how much they earn there.

The last thing Arsenal needs is a load of stroppy players skulking about London Colney because they’re only earning £50k-per-week – how ever would they survive?

Of course, if all this can be prevented by Ramsey and Arsenal coming to a mutual, reasonable deal without all the tabloid drama of the Ozil and Alexis Sanchez fiascos, all the better.