Arsene Wenger says Aaron Ramsey is in a strong position in the current contract stand-off between player and club, a position Wenger thinks the midfielder will use to his advantage.

For those somehow still unaware, Ramsey’s current contract with Arsenal expires at the end of the season. Arsenal were in talks with the midfielder over a new deal, and reportedly even came close to agreeing one, but now it seems like negotiations have soured.

Speaking at Per Mertesacker’s farewell game over the weekend, Wenger gave his thoughts on the subject to the media.

“We tried that before (giving Ramsey a new deal) and it still can happen,” the former Arsenal boss explained. “I don’t really know what’s happening at Arsenal. Sure, Aaron Ramsey is in a strong position now and he will use this position.

“But I don’t know how far Arsenal will go in terms of giving him a huge contract. These things were once my responsibility, but not anymore. I’m happy about that.”

The sense you get from the comments is that it was definitely Ramsey and his agent who were stalling on a contract before Wenger left. If the midfielder were desperate to agree to an extension and Arsenal were hesitant, you wouldn’t describe the 27-year-old’s position as particularly strong.

Of course, that might all have changed now. It’s been months since Wenger worked for the club and contract talks can sometimes turn on their heads in days.

It does make you slightly less sympathetic to Ramsey though, as it validates the media theory that Arsenal only started to pull out of negotiations because they’re growing sick of being messed around by the player and his agent. Let’s hope it’s all resolved soon, one way or another.