There is no doubt that Arsenal are left in a tricky situation after a no score draw with Besiktas in the fiurst leg of the Champions League play-offs. The away goals rule can always come back to haunt you if you don’t get one, but most Arsenal fans will be more concerned about us having to face the second leg without Aaron Ramsey.
It just highlights how much the Welshman has turned his fortunes around at the club, from being seen as a jinx and a sure sign of defeat, to being the player we look to as our talisman and the one to get us out of trouble. But I cannot complain too much about the two yellows, even though the second was a touch soft.
The fact is that we need to beat the Turkish side without him, and with no disrespect, if arsenal cannot do that then we shouldn’t be in the group stages. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain certainly stated his case for a start next week, while Wilshere may do better being a little more withdrawn. Also, the whole team should be up to speed by then. And don’t forget, Gooners, that we should have Ozil, Podolski and Mertesacker available as well, giving the team much more attacking and defensive options.
The European red card also means that Rambo can really go for it against Everton on Saturday and that game could be just as important, if not more, come the end of the season. Don’t panic, Gooners, not yet anyway…