Aaron Ramsey explains why he chose Arsenal over Man United and Liverpool despite Rafa Benitez making a good impression… and reveals another Premier League manager made a pitch to him at his house

Aaron Ramsey has explained that he chose to join Arsenal instead of Manchester United and Liverpool to kick-start his career.

Ramsey, 33, is now back at home club Cardiff City in the Championship but spent most of his career at Arsenal, making 369 appearances for the Gunners in 11 years at the club.

He won three FA Cups at the Emirates, scoring the winner in two finals, and was the studio guest on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football for Nottingham Forest against Crystal Palace.

The midfielder went into detail about his career, focusing on his time at Arsenal, telling how he joined the club as a 17-year-old and how he spoke to a number of other clubs.

However, he would ultimately choose the Gunners and explained why during his appearance on Sky’s show.

Ramsey, now 33, would go on to make more than 300 appearances for Arsenal after joining Arsene Wenger (left)

After talks with Liverpool, Manchester United and Everton, he would sign a contract with the Gunners as a 17-year-old

Ramsey was shown around Manchester United’s training ground, although it was the assistant manager at the time who did this as manager Sir Alex Ferguson was absent.

Although Ramsey could not remember the coach’s name, it appears it was Rene Meulensteen, who was Ferguson’s assistant between 2008 and 2013.

“He (Ferguson) was on the phone a few times,” Ramsey said. ‘But it was the assistant manager at the time.

‘There were some conversations with Rafa (Benitez, Liverpool manager). But they couldn’t really get the compensation. They could do something around £1 million or £2 million, but I think it went towards five and that was the end of it.

‘Rafa was very good and the presentation he gave was great. I also went to David Moyes’ house, he was very accommodating.’

Ramsey went on to work under Arsène Wenger, who helped him win the FA Cup three times before leaving the club in 2018.

The Wales midfielder explained what drew him to the Gunners, where he would continue to excel.

‘Why Arsenal? I felt like he (Wenger) really wanted me,” Ramsey said. ‘He was doing the Euros at the time and they flew me there when he had a few hours free.

“We had lunch… all about him and his vision and his plans. He had a very detailed plan and the number of young players he brought in and brought through appealed to me. For example (Cesc) Fabregas, so I really felt wanted by Arsenal.’

He revealed he had spoken to Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez (pictured) despite Liverpool being unable to pay the required fee

Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United also spoke to Ramsey and showed him around the training ground

Ramsey also spoke about how he was ready to commit to Arsenal before leaving the club in 2018

Ramsey himself would leave Arsenal in 2019 and sign for Juventus before going on to play for Nice and finally Cardiff.

He said he wanted to stay with the Gunners, but ultimately this was not possible.

“It was a very strange time,” he said. ‘I wanted to entrust my future to Arsenal.

‘We’ve just had a change of manager. I said, I’m happy, let’s go, then it all became a bit quiet. I don’t know exactly why. I imagine it was the new manager who wanted to see the team, but other than that I saw nothing.

‘I was Arsenal through and through, but then it became quiet and I had to make a decision and you can start talking to clubs. There have been a few discussions.’