Ramsey returns!
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed that whilst there are a few injury scares for the Gunner’s upcoming match against Sunderland, there is some good news in the form of Aaron Ramsey’s return. Ramsey has been ruled out with a hamstring injury since the opening weekend of the 2016-17 Premier League season, but after a 13 match absence, the Welshman is ready for his return to the side.
The midfielder was on fire for Wales during the summer’s European Championship. Ramsey helped his national side reach the semi finals of the tournament and was one of the most impressive players to grace the pitches in France. Many had hoped he was going to carry on such form for Arsenal this season, with memories of his fantastic 2013-14 season still firmly in the mind. He started the season with the Gunners straight from the off, despite having a shortened summer break. Wearing a new number of his back, Ramsey lined up with the rest of the team, slightly weakened with absentees, for what was going to be a tough opening fixture against Liverpool. Ramsey was positioned in a central attacking midfield role and there was a clearly a lot of pressure on the Welshman to provide for the Gunners, with main man Mesut Ozil not present for the game. Unfortunately it soon became clear that he had been rushed back far too early, was not at match fitness and in typical Arsenal style he picked up an injury that subsequently ruled him out for a matter of months.
Let’s not forget that the Premier League season kicks off in Mid-August, meaning that he’s already missed two months of the season. Luckily for Arsenal, midfield is the area in which we have the most depth of talent. As a result, his absence hasn’t been really missed, however now with Cazorla lacking in fitness and Xhaka banned, Ramsey’s return to the Arsenal side this weekend could be vital.
Ramsey’s comeback to form isn’t going to be instantaneous, in fact he seems to perform on a completely different scale at Arsenal than he does for his national side. If he was to replicate the form he showed a few seasons back, then he could be one of the most important players in the Arsenal side. However instead he has looked like a passenger at times and as a result, his place in the starting eleven is now under threat with so many class midfielders in our squad.
Wenger will no doubt be cautious with Ramsey’s return to the side, especially as it was an injury that took various setbacks along the way. However I expect Ramsey to play a large part of the game, with Xhaka absence and Santi’s injury in midfield.
By AH