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In a shocking news coming out of the Emirates stadium, it was confirmed that Arsenal won't be offering a new deal to Aaron Ramsey, who has been one of their most consistent performers for the last few seasons.
This means that the Welshman is now one of the hottest players out of contract next season and could leave the club for free. It is always painful for the fans to see their best players leave the club, but there's nothing's worse than realizing that the player left the club for free.
Arsenal, like many other Premier League teams have seen their fair share of players leaving the club after the expiration of their contracts. And over the years, it seems as if the Gunners have made it a habit to let some of their first team players leave for free.
Here, we take a look at the list of five Arsenal players that Aaron Ramsey could be joining he if decides to leave his current club next season on a free transfer.
#1 Jack Wilshere
Jack Wilshere, the youngest ever league debutant for the Gunners, found himself out of contract this summer when Arsenal decided it was time to part ways with the talented but injury-prone midfielder.
The Arsenal youth academy product, reportedly rejected a new deal that would've kept him at the Emirates stadium, because he was not being guaranteed first-team football under Unai Emery.
The 26-year-old was a highly rated player and had a promising career ahead of him, but as it is very well known, injuries prevented him from completely living up to his potential.
He was looking fitter than ever when he moved to Bournemouth on loan in the 2016-17 season, making 27 appearances for the Cherries before another injury setback forced him on the sidelines.
He proved his fitness again last season, making 20 appearances for the Gunners, in which he scored his first goal in three years.
But, that wasn't enough to keep him at the club, and he left the club for free to join West Ham this summer, as the incoming manager Emery made it clear that he wasn't part of his plans.
#2 Sol Campbell
Sol Campbell made his professional debut with Tottenham Hotspurs, but it was with their arch-rivals Arsenal, that he would establish himself as one of the best centre-backs of the Premier League of his time.
He was the backbone of the defense of 'The Invincibles' Arsenal team that conquered the league title remaining unbeaten throughout the 2003-04 season.
One interesting fact is that he agreed to move to Highbury on a free transfer from Tottenham, making him one of the most hated Spurs' players ever.
In August 2006, after winning two Premier League titles, two FA Cup trophies and scoring a goal in the Champions League final for the Gunners, he would leave the club on a free transfer, joining Portsmouth on a three-year deal.
The former England captain again joined Arsenal in 2010, but it was clear that his playing days were well past him and he would leave the club again after making just 11 appearances.
#3 Santi Cazorla
Santi Cazorla signed for Arsenal in 2012, following stellar performances in the La Liga with Villareal and Malaga, which saw him start regularly for the Spanish national side too.
The 33-year-old spent six seasons at the Emirates, quickly establishing himself as a fan favorite and a first-team regular under Arsene Wenger.
The playmaker played a crucial role in Gunners' two back-to-back FA Cup triumphs, scoring the winning goal in the 2014 final and claiming the Man of The Mach award the next year.
His flourishing career was brought to a halt when he suffered an injury to his Achilles tendon in 2016. As a result, he would undergo eight operations and at one time was in danger of losing his leg.
Under this scenario, Arsenal decided not to extend his contract. But the Spaniard miraculously recovered from the injury and joined former club Villareal this summer. He is trying to get back on his feet and a wonder goal in Copa del Rey showed why he was so highly rated by Wenger back in the day.
#2 Lukasz Fabianski
The current West Ham #1, Lukasz Fabianski joined Arsenal as a 22-year-old in 2007, after he rose to fame with Polish club Legia Warsaw.
He was always utilized as a second-choice goalkeeper at the Emirates. His compatriot Wojciech Szczęsny established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper under Wenger.
Fabianski's stint in London was riddled with various injury spells, that eventually cost him the #1 spot at Arsenal. Although, he put up some notable performances for the club whenever he was called up in the first team, in 2014 he was let go by the club.
After his contract with Arsenal expired, he joined fellow Premier League club, Swansea City. He quickly became one of their key players, helping the Welsh club retain their first division status for three seasons.
This summer he joined West Ham United, after The Swans were relegated and he is second on the number of saves made charts, with 45 saves in 11 matches.
#1 Robert Pires
Robert Pires is considered as one of the modern-day Premier League legends. He was one of the best players of the French contingent to play for Arsenal in the last decade.
He joined Arsenal in 2000, after an initial struggle with the adjustment to the English football, the Frenchman became one of the key players at Highbury and ended up being the top assist-provider in the 2001-02 season, helping Arsenal secure the league title.
He emerged as a crucial component of 'The Invincibles' squad, scoring 14 goals and assisting 7 more in the 2003-04 season. He had the best spell of his career at Arsenal in the six years he spent with the club.
In 2006, when Wenger kept him out of the squad for crucial fixtures and with little hope of contract extension, the winger decided to leave the club for free to join Villareal in May 2006.
He remains one of the biggest players to have left the Emirates for free. He still had much more to offer, but sadly Arsenal were just not able to see that.
