Arsenal boss Unai Emery has welcomed Aaron Ramsey's disgruntled reaction to being subbed off against Watford yesterday.
Ramsey was a focal point in the Gunners’ 2-0 win at the Emirates yesterday following the news that the club have withdrawn their contract offer to the Welshman.
The 27-year-old, who looks set to leave the club in the near future, wasn’t seen shaking his head after being hauled off early against the Hornets.
Emery said: “I want competitive spirit. When the players want to play every moment to help the team, I want this character.”
Ramsey was replaced by Alex Iwobi on the hour mark and the Nigerian proved to be key to Arsenal securing their late victory.
On Iwobi, Emery added: “He works well every day. Three weeks ago, he was injured for a couple of weeks. I’m very happy with his mentality.
“He has the quality to play right or left, to [go past players] on the pitch. Also, I want him to stay nearer to the box to score or find assists for team-mates. I think that’s the way for him and for other players.”
Meanwhile, Manchester United reportedly had a £50m bid rejected by Arsenal for Ramsey in the summer.
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The ex-Cardiff man will be able to leave the club on a free at the end of the season as his current deal will expire.
In a long contract saga, Arsenal have decided to call off talks after Ramsey demanded pay parity with Mesut Ozil.
Mirror journalist John Cross told beIN Sports: "Arsenal did turn down a bid as high as £50m from Man United for Aaron last summer.
"Aaron decided to move forward with Arsenal and met with Emery who told him he is one of five players he cannot do without.
"At the start of the season, Unai wasn’t happy with Aaron’s performance in one of the games & decided to drop him the next match.
"Ramsey was upset by that. However, club and player were very very close to sign a new deal a couple of weeks ago. In a remarkable turn of events, Arsenal withdrew their offer. It is done now.
"Ramsey will leave for free in the summer. There are two factors behind this: One, wage bill is hitting sky-high and really hamstringing the club. And two, Emery realised he doesn’t fit his system."
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And finally, Arsenal boss Unai Emery does not know when Petr Cech will be back from his injury but estimated that he will return in two to three weeks time.
The former Chelsea stopper has been Emery’s first choice this season so far, despite the club forking out £20m for Bernd Leno from Bayer Leverkusen.
The 36-year-old suffered a hamstring injury against Watford yesterday which saw Leno come on for his first Premier League appearance.
Emery said of Cech: “I don’t know now, tomorrow I know more. Maybe it’s two or three weeks, it’s muscular [hamstring].”