Although Arsenal Football Club has made no official announcement, Cardiff chairman Peter Risdale has acknowledged that 17-year-old midfielder Aaron Ramsey is leaving the Bluebirds for the North London club.

Quoting Risdale on the Cardiff FC website: "Aaron did me the courtesy of ringing me to let me know his position. It’s a £5m deal - and on a straight cash basis it was the best option on the table." Risdale did express the club's preference that Ramsey move to Manchester Utd, who offered the player continue his education at Cardiff on loan for a further season, however, it appears that Arsene Wenger has won the chase.

Ramsey arrives well recommended - a template Wenger player, he currently plies his trade in central midfield where he possesses extraordinary positional sense, movement and passing range for someone of such tender years. Ramsey can also play wide right.

Am I excited about Ramsey? He's 17, so no - not really. I'll be excited when Arsene Wenger buys a top class centre back though. Arsenal already have the firepower to win every major competition, but not the composure to keep a clean sheet when they really need to - Ramsey won't change that, and neither would Ronaldo, Kaka or Messi. However, it's a long summer, and I remain optimistic that Wenger will make the right buys over the next 2 months.

In other news, Arsenal has confirmed that long-standing physio Gary Lewin will be departing the club this summer to take a full-time role coaching the England team. Lewin is undoubtedly the most highly-rated physio in England and it will be sad to see him go as he was part of the furniture having worked at the club for virtually his entire adult life.