Aaron Ramsey should have never been allowed to leave Arsenal, according to Vic Akers.

The former Arsenal Women's manager and men's team kit man said Ramsey's departure was a mistake by the club and that the Welshman should have been given a new contract.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Tribal Football, Akers said: "For me Ramsey should have never been able to leave and he was truly at the heart of the club.

"For me it's daft that they let him go."

Ramsey joined Arsenal from Cardiff City in 2008 and went on to make 369 appearances, scoring 69 goals.

Notably, he scored the winning goal in two FA Cup finals and long played a key role for Arsenal before joining Juventus last summer.

Another player Akers regretted Arsenal losing was Jack Wilshere, who left for West Ham United in the summer of 2018.

"I also remember Wilshere coming through but sadly his career has been impacted by injury," he said.

"They have chosen to go with youth but Ramsey is exactly the type of player that could have been an ideal captain for this squad. It is difficult to lose some of the best players to other clubs and I think it could have been avoided.

"I am hopeful for the current young crop of players and I just hope they learn to accept what is but before them. I think Mikel (Arteta) will get hold of the young players and teach them about hard work and if they don't buy in they won't be at Arsenal. I really hope the club gets its values back."

Akers founded the Arsenal Women's team in 1987 and served as their head coach until 2009.

He also served as the men's team kit man until 2018, before leaving to become the assistant manager at National League side Boreham Wood.