Will Ramsey’s return bring about a change in Arsenal’s fortunes? by SE
Aaron Ramsey returned to action for Arsenal during the 2-2 home draw against Hull City last weekend. The Welshman came on as a 62nd minute sub for Mathieu Flamini, as the North Londoners went in search of an equalizer. Ramsey completed 82% of his attempted passes and created two chances in the 28-minute period he was out on the pitch, but did very little to pose a goal threat to Steve Bruce’s side. Going forward, and having made himself a vital cog in the Arsenal machine, will Ramsey’s return bring about a change in Arsenal’s fortunes?
Ramsey’s performances this season, prior to injuring his hamstring in the first North London derby of this season, have been decent; but, given Ramsey’s rise in stature and the expectations he has to live up to, as a result of his good performances in the last couple of campaigns, he wouldn’t be satisfied with his displays — which included 2 goals and 1 assist — during the early phase of the ongoing season.
Ramsey will surely be crucial to Arsenal’s objectives this season, as he gives the Gunners that extra impetus from the middle of the park. Far too many times, the role of a playmaker is overhyped to such an extent that the significance of a good box-to-box midfielder becomes undermined and disparaged.
Ozil’s absence, though will not affect Arsenal by much given the German’s underwhelming performances prior to his injury, will make Ramsey’s role in the side that much more important. The North Londoners have missed Ozil’s creativity this season and, exclusive of the former Los Blancos playmaker, the Gunners do not have other personnel in the same playmaking mould as the German. Wilshere can drive forward, and give Arsenal a goal scoring threat but, if you’re expecting the Englishman to keep Arsenal ticking in the middle and final third of the pitch, I am afraid that the 22-year old has done very little to promise that much, at this stage of his career. It is precisely due to that reason why Ramsey’s return comes at the right time for Arsenal, thereby minimizing the pressure on Sanchez to do it all for the Gunners.
Final Thought
Arsenal’s defense, midfield and attack have all failed to impress this season, that Ramsey’s return, alone, cannot make a significant difference to the Gunners’ rectifying their early season failures. But the Welshman’s return to action will give Arsenal better creativity, impetus from the midfield, and will minimize the pressure on Sanchez to pilot a struggling Arsenal side.