Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey forced to clarify 'shambles' jibe after bemoaning loss of 'another of our British boys' Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Aaron Ramsey was forced to explain himself on Thursday night after he appeared to brand Arsenal’s transfer business a ‘shambles’.

The Wales midfielder, on his Instagram account, paid tribute to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after the 24-year-old completed his move from the Emirates Stadium to Liverpool.


But the post was accompanied with the hashtag of #shaaambles — leading to suggestions that it was a deliberate dig at the club’s decision to let the England star leave. 

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey posted this photo of himself and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey posted this photo of himself and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

The England midfielder has completed a £35million move to Premier League rivals Liverpool

The England midfielder has completed a £35million move to Premier League rivals Liverpool

However, Ramsey then denied this on Twitter. ‘Let’s all calm down, “Shaaambles” was a nickname used as a personal joke for the Ox sometimes around the training ground #personaljoke,’ he wrote.

The confusion topped off a chaotic day at the Emirates Stadium as they tried but failed to strengthen their squad. The Gunners agreed a £92million deal to sign Thomas Lemar — only to run out of time to complete the deal.

Monaco accepted the offer, which would have smashed the British record transfer fee, on Thursday afternoon. Lemar was also said to have rejected a move to London because they are not playing in the Champions League.

Arsenal also tried to sign long-term target Julian Draxler from Paris Saint-Germain, but the Germany player wanted to stay in the French capital. Alexis Sanchez would have completed a £60m move to Manchester City if Arsenal had completed a move for either Lemar or Draxler.

Ramsey, currently away on international duty with Wales, was one of a promising British core of players much-heralded by manager Arsene Wenger.

Ramsey and Oxlade-Chamberlain were once among Arsene Wenger's 'British core' of players 

Ramsey and Oxlade-Chamberlain were once among Arsene Wenger's 'British core' of players 

Another of the five, Kieran Gibbs, sealed a £7million switch to West Brom on Wednesday

Another of the five, Kieran Gibbs, sealed a £7million switch to West Brom on Wednesday

Ramsey revealed that 'shaaambles' was actually Oxlade-Chamberlain's nickname at Arsenal

Ramsey revealed that 'shaaambles' was actually Oxlade-Chamberlain's nickname at Arsenal

Two of that quintet have left in the last 24 hours with Kieran Gibbs and Oxlade-Chamberlain being sold on. 

Ramsey is the only one of those five precocious players, famously pictured alongside one another as they all penned new deals in December 2012, who finds himself a first-team regular at the club.

Carl Jenkinson is currently on loan at Birmingham, although he is sidelined having dislocated his shoulder on his Blues debut, while Jack Wilshere was widely expected to be sent out on a temporary deal having spent last season at Bournemouth.

Wojciech Szczesny joined Juventus last month and defender Gabriel was sold earlier in August, with Gibbs leaving for West Brom on Wednesday.

Further deadline-day departures saw Lucas Perez return to Deportivo on a season-long loan, with Joel Campbell set for a similar deal at Real Betis.

Arsenal have yet to add to the free signing of Sead Kolasinac and the club-record purchase of Alexandre Lacazette as the deadline looms.