Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has withdrawn from the Wales squad ahead of their UEFA Nations League meeting with Home nation rivals, the Republic of Ireland.

Ramsey, 27, will miss the game at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin due to family reasons.

The former Cardiff City star had earlier featured for the team in Thursday’s international friendly game with former world champions Spain.

He captained the Welsh team on Thursday but could not prevent his side from suffering a 4-1 defeat to Luis Enrique and his players.

His withdrawal from the squad was confirmed by the Football Association of Wales (FAW) via a tweet on Monday morning.

He becomes the second high profile player to pull out of the Republic of Ireland game after Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale.

Wales manager Ryan Giggs has promoted Swansea City winger David James from the U21s as a replacement for him.

Aaron Ramsey earlier missed Arsenal’s Europa League away clash at Qarabag to be with his partner who’s pregnant with twins.

Wales manager Ryan Giggs and his players have their work cut out against their rivals.

They would be without their best players, Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, for the game in Dublin.

A win would be enough to take Wales to the top of their group ahead of leaders Denmark.

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Former Arsenal skipper Per Mertesacker has named just two Gunners stars in his all-time best XI.

The 2014 World Cup winner was asked to pick the best XI players he played with during his lengthy and hugely successful career.

Mertesacker, 34, opted for the Arsenal duo of Laurent Koscielny and Mesut Ozil in his lineup.

Current Arsenal captain Koscielny and Mertesacker were the Gunners’ centre-back partnership for several years.

Both players were fundamental to Arsenal’s recent run of three FA Cup titles in four years.

Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker were part of the German squad that won a fourth title at the 2014 World Cup tournament in Brazil.

Mertesacker joined Arsenal from German Bundesliga giants Werder Bremen in 2012 and went on to spend six years before calling time on his football career at the end of last season.

Before announcing his retirement, he was named the Arsenal Academy coach as from the 2018/19 season.

Arsenal have not really missed his influence on the first team as the North Londoners have started the new campaign in fine form with nine wins from the eleven games played this season

Per Mertesacker Best XI: Robert Enke; Clemens Fritz, Philipp Lahm, Laurent Koscielny, Naldo; Hanno Balitsch, Torsten Frings, Diego, Mesut Ozil; Miroslav Klose, Claudio Pizarro.

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Arsenal captain Laurent Koscielny has announced his retirement from international football in a controversial manner.

The 33-year-old confirmed his decision to retire from the French national team on Sunday evening as he criticised manager Didier Deschamps for the way he was treated while recovering from a long injury layoff.

Laurent Koscielny recently returned to light training at Arsenal from the Achilles tendon injury he sustained during the Europa League semi-final second leg clash with Spanish La Liga giants Atletico Madrid in May.

The injury forced him to miss this summer’s FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia.

His French team emerged as champions after a second title triumph via a 4-2 victory over Croatia in their final clash.

Since making his debut in 2011, Laurent Koscielny has featured for France on 51 occasions and also represented Les Blues at three major tournaments namely the 2012 European Championship, 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 European Championship.

His last appearance for France came in March 2018 when the French team defeated Russia 3-1 in an international friendly.

Without Laurent Koscielny in the Arsenal team, retired Czech Republic shot-stopper Petr Cech has captained the team under the new managerial reign of Spanish tactician Unai Emery.

The Gunners are expected to welcome Koscielny back to full training by next month.

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North London giants Arsenal have reportedly been linked with a move for Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek ahead of the upcoming transfer window in January.

England international player Loftus-Cheek has found first team opportunities hard to come by at Stamford Bridge and he’s keen on leaving in search of regular football.

His best run in the first team came while he was at fellow London club Crystal Palace.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek spent the last campaign at Selhurst Park on a season-long loan deal from the Blues and he produced several impressive outings for the Eagles.

His form earned him a spot on the England team for this summer’s FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia.

He was part of the Three Lions squad that finished fourth under manager Gareth Southgate.

Loftus-Cheek wants to retain his place in the England squad and the only way to play club football regularly hence his decision to seek more first team opportunities.

According to the Daily Mail, Crystal Palace are interested in signing him on loan when the January transfer window reopens but the Selhurst Park outfit could face competition from London rivals Arsenal.

He could be a replacement for Arsenal contract rebel Aaron Ramsey who’s reportedly on his way out of the club.

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