In the heat of Singapore, Aaron Ramsey casts his mind back almost six years.
The Arsenal midfielder is reflecting on a now infamous photograph taken in December 2012 — Arsene Wenger stands in a boardroom behind the seated Carl Jenkinson, Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Wenger's idea was clear: to create what he described as a 'British core' and a new dynasty for Arsenal. Yet, as the post-Wenger era begins, Ramsey is last man standing.
Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Gibbs have all moved on while Jenkinson was omitted from the tour of Singapore and will be sold this summer.
Ramsey, now 27 and Arsenal's longest-serving player, says: 'Yes, it's a bit strange. There's a lot of change in football and people have to adapt quickly to the next thing.'
The question for Ramsey now is whether he will be the final face to be crossed off the picture. His contract expires next summer and despite public pleas from new manager Unai Emery for Arsenal to get the deal over the line, several months of negotiations are still to bear fruit.
'We are communicating,' Ramsey says. 'My agent and the club are speaking but are yet to come to an agreement... for football reasons. This is a great club to be at and I'm excited to get going under this manager.
'We're just yet to come to an agreement.' Ramsey earns £110,000 a week and Arsenal's existing five-year offer would net him a substantial increase.
'It's my decision,' he insists. 'Whatever I decide to do, that's on me. Do I feel under pressure? No. The only thing that makes it awkward is you keep asking the questions. It's like having a baby in the car saying 'Are we there yet, are we there yet?'
'Listen, I'm a player who always gives 100 per cent regardless of what's going on. I will give absolutely everything to try to achieve something special this season, regardless. I've still got a year left and I'm looking forward to being in an Arsenal shirt in the new season. We have to come to an agreement with what we want, so maybe something might happen.'
Ramsey has been impressed by Emery's methods and the pair have had several meetings already in pre-season. He makes clear his preferred position.
'In the middle of the park!' he grins. 'I've made it clear many, many times that I don't like playing out wide.'
It is 10 years since he joined Arsenal as a 17-year-old and this is Ramsey's first pre-season under a manager other than Arsene Wenger. The Frenchman spotted his talent, nurtured him back to fitness and form after an horrific leg break and backed him when supporters turned on him.
He says: 'I had a fantastic relationship with Arsene, I'll be forever grateful. I spoke to him after the season but not since. I know he is always at the end of the phone.
'He offered me that help and advice if I ever needed it. He said just pick up the phone if I ever need his help.'
A source reveals that Emery is an admirer. He likes Ramsey's lung-busting runs from midfield, his sharp touch, vision and knack for goalscoring.
Ramsey says: 'It hasn't happened to me at club level before where a new manager has come in. You have to give everything in every session and every game.
'So if he likes what he sees, he likes what he sees. If he doesn't, he doesn't. It will be different but I'm looking forward to it. We've had good meetings. Purely football and the way we want to play. It was really encouraging. It's important for a new manager to make his ideas clear. He's very passionate, tactically we've been doing a lot of work. I'm excited.
'Who knows? You always have to wait and see if these new ideas are going to work out or if it's going to take a bit longer than expected. But all the players are looking forward to this.'
Emery intends to name five captains this season — an approach more common in Spain — and Ramsey is one of the contenders. Would that provide an extra motivation to stay?
He smiles: 'The captaincy is a massive responsibility and it would be an honour to captain this club. The manager is yet to decide so we'll have to wait and see. But if the opportunity is there, I don't think any player would say no. I'm no different.'
Dembimopsz
1
the English boys refused to raise their game; Wilshire took to smoking "shasha" and that dwindled his highly promising career.
Odyssey
1
Well done. You will replace Ings on the bench. What an achievement.
reallythe
0
Anytime a player puts on a Liverpool shirt they're suddenly transformed into one of the best players on earth.
sadistic
0
Neville may have been correct about him last season being lazy, but klopp doesn't suffer lazy players, not one single Liverpool player can be accused of being lazy, not one. Klopp will turn this lad into a proper player.
Runningman
0
It's a big difference when you look up and see Keita feeding you the ball instead of Charlie Adam
lopegood
0
Well he has said he will be a hit .....will look like a clown if he doesn't
reasonon
0
on loan to Wigan next season
Rojetked
0
But you can't win any trophies though.... You'll fit right in lad!
teardrop
0
Those legs ffs!!
fcb522
0
Had a great world cup, very impressive for Switzerland.
completely
0
Yep he can score goals at least five goals a season.. But am sure klopp will get the best out of him, Liverpool signed so many quality players that can improve each other in games
Robersonsol
0
Watch this space, money well spent, Klopp will turn this boy into a super star
izzues
0
He'll do just fine. Ignore the haters.
Mudineao
0
The promise of champions league and a better squad hopefully brings out the best in him.
benladan
0
Always remember as well as a team can bring the best out of a player. A player can also bring the worst out of a team. If he goes walkies during a game and can't be bothered to work hard that then makes it extra hard for the other lads and they have to work harder this then causes trouble because why should they work so hard and he does nothing. Rooney was top scorer at Everton last season. But they told him he could go. Because they had such a bad season with him. After SAF retired everything when pair shaped at United and he was constantly like a bear with a sore head and his play went awful. And so did the team They got rid of him to Everton United improved somewhat and seemed a better atmosphere amongst the players then all the trouble for Everton.so be warned
Sangder
0
Hard to work hard playing for Stoke
Lovelahm
0
The problem with him is not his football, its his attitude. I never really wanted to see him in Reds shirt but I believe in Klopp. When he was at Stoke, we all saw how often he went missing when he was needed and to me, it says a lot about his attitude as opposed to his footballing skill. So the lad better fix up, as a squad player, dont be moaning about how much game time you think that you should be getting. Any slacking, the Kop will let you know in no uncertain terms.
completely
0
I think he will do good. But his a backup and will remain so
estimated
0
I think he will do good. But his a backup and will remain so
Balancea
0
shaquiri is a good player.
Vopadlos
0
what about welbeck is he not a British?
Poscimstz
0
arsenal transfers player s
oisjing
0
Now with West Brom with the Stoke badge. Good research skills
Harvedlan
0
Arsenal certainly wish to keep Ramsey, particularly under Emery. However Arsenal can no longer overpay. If the deal is around £150K a week then it will happen. There is no way, Arsenal can have another Sanchez and Ozil situation, running down the contract and holding the club to ransom.
Ballballman
0
Have to say I feel sorry for Wenger looking at him in that photo, looks like he truly believed he was onto a winner.
Tatejuan
1
Ramsey should stay he has energy and play's good football, since his injury woes are behind him let him sign and stay, but should not be asking for too much money..
Tommylus
0
Get rid off Ramsey too if he doesn't extend his contract within 10days. No player should hold the club to ransom again.
combination
0
Why is there stokes crest next to west brom for. Good journalism DM
surrounded
0
Ramsey has been best of the lot.
Elsa98
1
The last stand..
Yorokiri
0
biscuit bone Ramsey is now a man how time fly's
wiuklostz
0
British footballers, if they haven't by now, need to get with football authentically!! They need to recognise that: Football Is Continuity!!! Therefore without end!! Meaning for measurement purposes, Football is Global, and to claim a space in a team proving itself a top performing team, then it's clear what every aspiring potential performer is required to do!! And to do that one must know, understand, and be able to apply, 'How!!!' Football Lives!!! @FeedersFDP
wiuklostz
0
This Title, and possibly the article too if it follows suit, is laughable for what it implies!! Football Is No Respecter of Persons!!! Is Ramsey @Arsenal because he is British, or because of his talent, his identifiable football ability? To suggest that Unai Emery should perform his role in service of Britain without football is detrimental to Arsenal FC, and every other so termed professional football club in Britain! It would ultimately mean that these clubs call themselves football clubs, but they truly are not! And if they are not, then what are they? Apart from selling a lie. Football Reveals By Its Nature!!! Football Cannot Lie!!! Football Lives!!! @FeedersFDP
mutallibs
0
Wellbeck?????
Anooor
2
Emery must give him the Captain Brassard
Mustaphe045
2
Big Respect