Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey will take the vacated No.8 jersey at the club next season, left behind by former captain Mikel Arteta.
The Spaniard will leave the club this summer ahead of starting his coaching career, therefore leaving the No.8 shirt available.
As confirmed on Arsenal’s official Twitter account, Ramsey has taken up the mantle of following in the footsteps of some club greats as he looks to step up and become an even more important part of Arsene Wenger’s side next season.
Following on from Alexis Sanchez’s decision to swap the No.17 shirt for for the No.7 shirt vacated by Tomas Rosicky, who also leaves the club this summer, it is a month of change at the Emirates with the club’s supporters hoping that their players can deliver next season.
They’ve been handed a boost with the arrival of Granit Xhaka already this summer, but much more activity in the summer transfer market will be expected.
As for Ramsey, his more immediate focus will be on Euro 2016 where he will hope to lead Wales out of the group stage at least, while he’ll be desperate to play a more influential role for the Gunners next season.
The 25-year-old managed just six goals and five assists in 40 appearances in all competitions this past season, as he failed to reach double-figures in scoring for the first time in three years.
In turn, armed with the No.8 jersey, Wenger will now be hoping that he can continue to mature and improve for what will be a crucial campaign for the Premier League giants as a whole.
We’ve got a new No 8… pic.twitter.com/OlWees7T5P
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) May 26, 2016