The Arsenal and Wales midfield star has returned from his hamstring injury just in time to be available for the first north London derby of the current season, although it remains to be seen whether Arsene Wenger puts him straight into the starting line up for the visit of Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday, as the midweek Champions League clash with Ludogorets was his first start since the opening day of the season.
If the Welshman does start, there may well be a few of the Spurs players with an axe to grind against him after Ramsey’s comments in The Guardian newspaper ahead of the big derby match. The 25-year old did not play in central midfield on Tuesday but he did perform well on the right and his assist for Giroud helped the Gunners to keep up the momentum and confidence that Ramsey reckons gives us a big advantage over our local rivals.
He said, “This team has been together for a while now, with a couple more additions [over the summer].
“We’ve brought in some quality and, while it takes a bit of time sometimes for players to adapt, the new players have settled in really well. and hit the ground running. We know what we’re all about. We’ve been on a good run for a long time: at the back end of last season we finished really strongly, and we’ve carried that on this season.
“The team is full of confidence at the moment, and it was important to keep the momentum going against Ludogorets. We’ve been on a great run lately so, to keep that ticking over, it puts us in a good position going into the derby game. Tottenham have been a tough challenge in the last couple of seasons, they’re unbeaten in the league so far this season, but we know what to expect. It’s up to us to break them down. We’re at home and we’re full of confidence we can come away with a win.”
Just to give the game an extra edge, as if it needs it, Ramsey spoke about the 21 years that Arsenal have finished above the spuds in the league, alluding to the fact that they blew it big time last season.
He went on, “Of course it mattered.
“It’s been many years [21] since they finished above us, so we didn’t want that to happen last season. It was important to finish above them and hopefully we can keep that going this season as well. You’d have to ask them if they think we have a mental hold over them, though.”
Nice one Rambo. The Welshman is clearly desperate to be a part of another triumph over Tottenham as well, making sure that Wenger knows he is fit and raring to go.
He declared, “It was great for me to play [against Ludogorets]. I’ve been out for a couple of months and it was great to be back out there starting again, and to get 70-odd minutes. That will put me in good shape going into the weekend, and hopefully I can stay fit now. Of course I’m fit to start – I’m ready now.”
Do you think he will start?
Bob.
With Santi out I wouldn’t mind Ramsey through the middle if Theo’s back. His last goal V spurs was Genius.
Josh you mean Ramsey as a DM next to Coq or Xhaka? I don’t think he is disciplined enough IMO.
If Santi doesn’t play I would hope we see Coq and Xhaka as DM pairing.
i honestly do not want ramsey and giroud near the starting XI
ramsey brings so much reluctance and less passion to our game….hes too selfish…over does things…I would exchange him for silva any day….the trouble with ramsey is that his national team coach who makes him feel like hes in the level of the likes of iniesta and messi.,….blufffff
When he plays for wales he looks a better player than for arsenal so perhaps the wales coach has the right idea.
I think that is because at Arsenal he is behind Ozil in the pecking order. At Wales he more or less has the freedom Ozil has for us. There is no competition between Ramsey and Ozil, not in the same league. This means Wenger often plays him out of position on the wing where he sucks. Not his fault but a fact.