Ramsey´s ‘drive’ to get Arsenal past Ludogorets?

As Arsenal prepare for the fourth Champions League group game away to the Bulgarian champions Ludogorets Razgrad, we look poised on the brink of all but securing a place in the next round and hopefully winning the group to make that knockout stage earlier.

Arsene Wenger does have one or two problems to cope with though, with the Evening Standard reporting that the England forward Theo Walcott is a doubt for the game, even though he was involved in training today after missing the win at Sunderland with a small hamstring issue.

A bigger problem for the boss, however, is the continued absence of Santi Cazorla, who did not train with the squad. The little Spaniard is a key player for the Gunners, especially in games where we expect to face very defensive opponents. After being hammered 6-0 at the Emirates and being locked with Basel on one point in the fight for third place, I think Ludogorets will certainly be that, so any extra attacking threat that Arsenal can get will be welcome.

That is why the return to fitness of Aaron Ramsey could be so important for European hopes. We do have Granit Xhaka, Elneny and Coquelin but from what the boss said about the Welshman on the Arsenal website yesterday it seems clear that he thinks Ramsey offers more going forward.

Wenger said, “He is a player who is box-to-box so overall he pushes the team forward. That is what we want in our side. He can play in holding midfield, he can play if needed on the flanks as well. That’s where he is not happy but he can play there as well.

“He has a tremendous drive, he’s a bit Lampard-ish you know, where he likes to get in the box, likes to shoot from distance and has similar quality.”

The Frenchman also said he was not sure if Ramsey would start as he has to think about the north London derby with Tottenham on Sunday, but that will be a different kind of test. Do you think Rambo will start in Bulgaria and will his drive be a big factor in getting Arsenal the right result?

Bob.

Tags Cazorla Wenger

4 Comments

  1. There are alot of capable hands in Arsenal mildfield that can keep on with the good work of our winning philosophy, Ramsey should be given the chance in other for him to be match fit awaiting the week end match. One thing is sure today ie the three point to make us remain at the top of the group .

  2. Should play Ramsey against Ludogorets-

    It would be a mistake to play him against Spurs without more game time after his injury. And I think we’ll need to be more defensively minded against the spuds than against Ludogorets-

    We mustn’t under-estimate Ludogorets though – it would be understandable, but we must stay focused and professional – and get the job done

  3. I am fine playing Ramsey today but I hope Wenger learned that he must not pair him with Coquelin. If anything, Elneny was absolutely outstanding as a sweep between the CBs and front line. I like he’s not panicking under pressure and he always have an opening even if it is a sideway pass. No, he is not Cazorla who always opens upfront but then again, who from our team is like Santi? Short dribble, twist opening the attack. No one in our team can do that better than Cazorla. All our options are ball hogs, bar Ozil who is very intelligent and realizes he must pass before being brought down. If only Jack would learn something from Ozil.
    So, play Ramsey but by all means don’t pair him up with Le Coq unless you sure it will work this time. Xhaka and Ramsey is also a risky choice, both are basically B2Bs, good shoot and tend to be caught up (in fairness, Xhaka is falling back faster than Ramsey but not by much).

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