EPL: Arsenal Pip Manchester United to Sign Aaron Ramsey

As I had reported yesterday, many tabloids did seem to have information that Aaron Ramsey had chosen Arsenal over Manchester United and Everton. Now, the news has been made somewhat official.

Ramsey, a seventeen-year old midfielder who is said to be very talented, has decided to link up with Arsenal after being impressed with his meeting with Arsene Wenger. He was flown out with his family to Switzerland to meet the Arsenal manager on Saturday.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson must have thought that he had the signing in the bag, after his club announced last week that Ramsey had all but sealed the deal to the Theatre of Dreams.

Ferguson didn't accompany the seventeen-year old to show him the high-tech Carrington training facilities—that duty was handed over to Gary Neville. That seems to be the error that Ferguson committed when it came to this deal.

Anyway, at the end of the day, the nitty-gritty doesn't form a large part of the decision that a player makes.

While the signing is fantastic news for Arsenal fans, I'm not too sure if we need yet another up-and-coming player in our squad.

The deal is said to be a five-million pound, straight cash deal. Cardiff City have been informed of Ramsey's decision and they have released a statement saying:

"Cardiff City were informed on Friday morning that Aaron Ramsey's preferred destination this summer is the Emirates Stadium with Arsenal.

"We will now continue the dialogue with the Gunners with a view to Aaron's move being completed.

"The move, unlike other options, does not include a loan back period at Ninian Park for the 2008/09 season.

"We would like to wish Aaron every success in the top flight."

So, with the first signing out of the way, we have already beaten our rivals Manchester United once in the off season.

Let's hope that it is a trend that will continue on the football pitch in the coming season.