FAREWELL RAMBO
Crying Aaron Ramsey consoled by Petr Cech as pair wave goodbye to Arsenal in final home game
AARON RAMSEY was handed an award by Arsenal on Sunday to commemorate his time at the club - leaving the midfielder in tears.
After 11 years with the Gunners, the Welshman was unable to step onto the pitch to make a farewell Emirates Stadium appearance.
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Suffering from injury, Ramsey has already played his final game for the club and watched from the stands as Arsenal drew 1-1 with Brighton on Sunday.
He instead came out in a post-match ceremony, greeted by a huge cheer from the crowd who had stayed behind.
Arsenal chairman Sir Chips Keswick handed Ramsey a memento to recognise his time at the club, leaving the player welling up.
Another fan favourite departing the Emirates, Petr Cech, consoled Ramsey on the pitch.
It was an emotional scene for Gunners fans, who will have to watch the midfielder start a new chapter at Juventus next season.
Speaking to Sky Sports afterwards, an emotional Ramsey said: "It's been a hell of a journey.
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I'm really excited for the new challenge, but today is all about where I grew up: here.
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"Eleven years of my life and so much has happened in that. When I look back, you can tell by my voice how much it means to me.
"I'm just very thankful for the opportunity to play for this great club and spend so many years [with Arsenal].
"I came here at 17 years old - a boy. I'm really leaving a man, I've got a family.
"So much has happened, so I'm just grateful for the opportunity.
"Obviously, I'm really excited for the new challenge, the new chapter in my life but today is all about where I grew up: here.
"So I just want to take this in today and then let it settle in for a few days before I can really look forward and concentrate on [Juventus]."
In the ceremony, goalkeeper Cech was also recognised ahead of his retirement with Danny Welbeck's departure seemingly confirmed, the striker out of contract in the summer.
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It came after the draw against Brighton all-but ended their hopes of a top-four finish.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored an early penalty but Arsenal couldn't add to their lead and the visitors levelled from the spot through Glenn Murray in the second-half.
With just one game left to play, the Gunners sit three points behind fourth-place Tottenham, eight goals worse off on goal difference.
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