Why Aaron Ramsey's contract extension must be Arsenal's top priority

As soon as Aaron Ramsey raised his arm and ran into space, Mesut Ozil spotted the run. A simple lob saw CSKA Moscow goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev charge forward. Ramsey didn't spot him off his line but managed to twist in the air to use the outside of the boot to lob the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper and find the back of the net.

It was beautiful; Wengerball at its finest. Enough to make a half-empty Emirates Stadium crackle with awe and delight. In a season of many wonder goals scored across the world, this was up there with the best.

"It was a great goal. Recently we have seen some great goals in football. It’s a moment in the season where they matter, even a bit more. Aaron was at the end of many things tonight. He scored two and one special one." - Arsene Wenger

Arsenal really haven't had much to celebrate this season. Down and out in the Premier League, knocked out of the FA Cup in their first fixture, runners-up in the League Cup, and out of the top four by miles.

And yet, there are a few positives. Mesut Ozil's contract extension was great business as was bringing in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Alexandre Lacazette seems to be regaining confidence after his return from injury while the Gunners have one foot in the Europa League semi-finals - one step closer to returning to the Champions League.

Amidst all this, Aaron Ramsey seems to be getting back to his very best - arguably the same levels that made him a breakout star back in 2013/14. He nearly got his second hat-trick of the season too, denied only by the woodwork.

Arsenal's midfield has lacked that spark when the Welshman has been sidelined with injury. A player capable of making runs into the box - the ideal goalscoring midfielder - Ramsey is three of goals shy of becoming the club's highest goalscorer ever (Cesc Fabregas: 57, Ramsey: 55).

Ramsey's role complements Ozil's movement perfectly

Until new signing Aubameyang catches up, Ramsey is still the club's second-highest goalscorer with 9 goals so far this season.

What he offers on the pitch cannot be replicated by any other player in the squad. Mkhitaryan could to a certain extent but his injury casts a shadow on how much more he can contribute this season.

Ramsey's combination play with Ozil is something the fans have looked forward to as well. They struck a partnership in the German's first season at the Emirates but changes in the Arsenal formation somehow separated the two with Ozil never playing in his preferred role in the hole.

Aaron Ramsey is as much a key player as Mesut Ozil is for Arsenal

But reverting to a back-four has seen both Ozil and Ramsey come good with a deep understanding developing between the two. There were times in the days of the 3-4-3 formation when one would eventually end up on the heels of the other but the 4-2-3-1 has given them specific roles where they excel.

As always, Ramsey has been given the liberty to bomb forward from his central midfield position and give the Gunners that extra man in the box. What makes him such an asset is his fearlessness and confidence in his abilities.

Ramsey demands the ball and shows his displeasure when he doesn't receive it in the right space. He does not let doubt cloud his decision-making and is confident in pulling off exactly what he wants to do.

Aaron Ramsey grabbed a hat-trick against Everton this season

Ozil's movement from flank to flank gives the side that horizontal movement designed to overthrow any sort of man-marking strategy opponents may employ while simultaneously giving him angles to work with to make the incisive pass.

This vertical-horizontal movement of the two key midfielders is what makes Arsenal tick.

Ramsey must get the nod over Wilshere

Poor Jack Wilshere. The English midfielder has been given umpteen chances to prove his fitness and credentials as the ideal no.10 in Arsenal's midfield but he has had a very underwhelming season and suddenly the Gunners' decision to hand him a relatively low-paying contract with bonuses based on performances seems justified.

Jack Wilshere has struggled for both form and fitness

Wenger has tried his best to shoehorn him into the side on a number of occasions, sometimes even at Ramsey's expense. However, those sparkling performances that defined the early stages of his career are few and far between.

Wilshere can no longer play at the high tempo required for a team like Arsenal and repeatedly loses the ball under pressure. His pace and acceleration on the ball have also reduced, almost as if he is saving himself to last the 90 minutes.

With no end in sight to his injuries and niggles, it may sadly be time to let him go this summer if he refuses to accept Arsenal's terms to extend his contract.

Ramsey has a year left on his contract

It is safe to say that, at 27, Ramsey is now approaching the peak of his career. However, there has been very little movement to get the Welshman to extend his contract at the club.

Aaron Ramsey - a future captain at Arsenal?

Ramsey's current contract expires in the summer of 2019. The club has understandably been busy tying up other players and new signings but it is time to focus on the other key player who might even be handed the captain's armband soon.

"Nothing to comment on at the moment, I think they've been busy to tie up other contracts at the moment." - Ramsey in March 2018

The last thing the club want to do is to allow Ramsey to enter the final year of his contract. It happened with Alexis Sanchez and everyone saw how detrimental it was to the club. All Ramsey needs is his head turned if the north London club do not show him how valuable he is.

Ramsey has been at the club for 10 seasons now. It would be unwise not to reward his loyalty without a bumper contract that puts him among the highest earners. He may not get a contract on the same lines as Ozil but he will put pen to paper as long as he gets his due.

If they do, Arsenal will have their attacking midfield sorted for the next few seasons.