Keen to stress he’s happy to do whatever job he’s asked to do for the team, Aaron Ramsey has again expressed his desire to play in his natural position in central midfield.
The Welshman has been deployed on the right hand side over the last couple of months as Arsene Wenger found a nice midfield balance with Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin, but he’s aiming to take the Spaniard’s place if that’s what it takes.
“Santi Cazorla is the one in my position,” he said. “He’s the one who plays alongside Francis Coquelin and tries to get forward. I am trying to get that back.
“I’m not hiding away from it, I want to be playing in the middle. I’ve had chats with the manager about it. I showed at Manchester United what I’m capable of doing when I go into the middle of the park.
“But the manager said he wants me do a job out there for the moment and obviously I’ll do that for him. But I prefer to play in the middle.”
He went on to explain why he felt it was the best place for him to make the most telling contribution to the team.
“I like to start from a defensive position and drive the team forward with little one-twos around players,” he said.
“It’s harder to get involved in the game when you’re on the wing, which is why I don’t really enjoy playing there. I’m used to getting the ball a lot more in the middle of the park.
“I like to be involved in everything, in starting attacks. I’m relying on other people to get me into the game. It is a bit frustrating. I am having an impact on the game but I prefer to be much more involved.”
It remains to be seen if he’ll win his place back there for the FA Cup final, but next season it would be remiss of us not to use him where he’s best – because that will mean we’ve got a better option for the right hand side too.
Hardly ‘Fed up’ as reported in some of the media outlets this morning.
Gonna be hard to shift the passiest footballer in the land.
What is our starting XI when everyone is fit? I’d put Giroud up top and Alexis and the Ox either side of him, Ozil in behind them at the tip of the diamond and Ramsey and Coquelin completing the midfield. The problem now is what do you do with Cazorla and Wilshere and Rosicky? I think if we are honest about them they all want to play in the Ramsey/Ozil positions of the team and rightly so because that’s where they are best. I don’t think we’ll ever be able to field a balanced starting XI with all of our… Read more »
To put my neck on the block I drop santi. You have to make big decisions like the dogs did with Mata.
We reached that point a long time ago. Born out of Wenger’s penchant for collecting diminutive Attacking midfielders which then forces them to be square pegs in round holes. It’s one of the causes of one of our longest tactical issues; when we have so many players contesting the middle and all deciding to be playmakers, leaving our play hugly laboured, predictable (it’s what happens when you have 3-4 CAMs all drifting into the middle and trying to make a pass) and narrow. It’s also why Theo tends to be so effective with us, as he seems like the anti-thesis… Read more »
95% agree but not on Wilshere. He drifts in because he’s a midfielder and likes to touch the ball all the time, not because hes coming in on his left foot. If this was the case he would at least have a wide startong position.
That’s tempting but I’ll rather have a traditional #9 through the middle. I’ll go with Coquelin and Ramsey at the base of the midfield with Ozil in front of them. Ox and Alexis on either side of Giroud.
Rotation…
Aaron should learn humility, abnegation, team spirit, unselfishness if he wants to achieve great things. He should learn from Mesut and his role in the Mannschaft during the WC on that matter…
Thank you! The Welsh Jesus nonsense has gone to Ramsey’s head. Here’s a bold idea – drop Aaron Ramsey. He can play in the FA Cup games. What an arrogant cunt. Ramsey needs to cut the crap and get back to basics.
You can’t be serious…?
Unfortunately he is, but then again he’s carried an agenda against Rambo for some time now so don’t take anything from La Defense seriously .
patience rambo! u will soon be playing in the center with either reus or de bruyne on wings.
Very straight forward for me. Drop him or drop Santi. Play Theo wide of front 3. Playing central midfielders on the wing has greatly contributed to not scoring in our last 3 home games. It ain’t rocket science Arsene. Grow a pair of bollox and drop one of em. I am a fan of Arsene before I am tarred as wenger out mob.
Now that Lampard and Gerrard are leaving. I think that rambo and wilshere will take the mantle of best British CM’S. On another note I watch a league of their own on sky last night, and Sczecney was a guest. The montages of some of his best bits still make me think he can be a great goalie. He’s still only 24 guys.
Ospina is waaaaaaaaaaay better than Scz in one-on-ones. We’d have lost the Sunderland game for sure if Scz had been in goal.
Plus, remember Ospina vs Lukaku earlier in the season? Scz would have copped a red card there for sure.
Scz is ok, but David de Gea he ain’t.
I wouldn’t say way better, and tbf Scz didn’t have the settled back 5 ospina had. Sure he’s made mistakes. But what 24 year old keeper hasn’t?? De Gea looked terrible last season lest we forget. Don’t just read the sun and take it for gospel. Make your own mind up. Scz is still a very good keeper.
As depressing as it is, i think we should sell Cazorla this summer and with the money buy a solid CDM who can both play with Coquelin in tough away games and with predominantly ramsey but also wilshere for the rest of season. This is probably schneiderlin but there are a plethora of CDM’s who we could buy this summer). Whilst Cazorla has probably been our third best player this season, he is 30 and ramsey is the future CM of this club. Imagine a midfield of Schneiderlin, Ramsey, Ozil, Alexis and Ox. Think has to be the best in… Read more »
Would it be such an ordeal to have two formations prepared for matches? For now 4-2-3-1 is looking predictable and we’re struggling to break through packed defenses. What about also having a fully prepared and role understanding 4-5-1? That way we could accomodate the holding midfielder and two dovetailing box to box midfielders. while still having a threat from the wings. 4-5-1, currently for me would be: in defence: Ospina, Bellerin, Mert, Kos, Monreal: Midfield: Coquelin holding, Ramsey and Cazorla either side, dovetailing, Sanchez right wing Ozil left wing and Giroud up top. Also lets keep our wingers wide so… Read more »
I’m sorry, but Santi is a better player than you. You will never reach his level.
He didn’t write the article, and I doubt he’s reading the comments.
he is a different player. both are different but class.
In fairness to Wenger he’s got no Wellbeck, no Gnabry, no Ox and up until now a not very match sharp theo so he’s pretty starved of choice on the right. Having said that, I can’t see why he couldn’t have rested Alexis and/or Ozil against Sunderland to graben it up and ‘free up’ some creative space. And yes I know they’re our ‘super-quality’ stars but why can’t they ever be rested from time to time? Also dropping Coquelin left us wide open on the few breaks they had it was painful to watch as you knew what was happening.… Read more »
Ramsey playing in the middle is unlikely to happen due to Ozil’s inability to play any other position apart from that and this affects Rosicky and Santi as well. The only way we can balance our midfield is by using three defenders. If we can get Koscielny,Gibbs and Gabriel to test as three defenders this pre season then it can be an experiment worth a try.
A midfield with the spine Coquelin with Ozil and Cazorla upfront, Chamberlain and Alexis torching the wings and a hard-working striker like Welbeck or Lacazette at the top.
Why is it that when Wilshire plays the midfield players are shuffled around to accommodate him and the team loose their edge? Both Wilshire and Ramsey drift into midfield when on the wing and the team loose the width, especially when countering parked buses. We need the Ox, come back next season strong and injury free and have the season of your life to date.
Personally from what i have seen this season especially with when players are injured and when they return, my favourite line up and most effective in my opinion is….. Giroud Sanchez Santi Ox Ramsey Coquelin The team just seemed more balanced in attack and defence with that midfield line up. Ozil has gotten better but everything clicked with Santi in that role- goal threat from outside and inside the box, defenders have to be on their guard not knowing which foot to defend and if they step up he is the assist king for us. Pressure from all fronts with… Read more »
Both Jack and Aaron suffer because they are patently one footed. Jack often escapes because of his acceleration but Aaron is often turned and dispossessed. Hard to pick them over Santiago at the moment.
I think as long as he is fit Wenger sees Ozil as undroppable. which would be fair enough, if he’d be prepared to drop one of Ramsey or Cazorla, two if you include Wilshire.
Actually ‘drop’ is the wrong word.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with ‘resting’ players. Rotation is good.
I just wonder what the point is in saying anything.
He’s spoken to the manager and the mighty Gooners know his best position.
So when a player is asked the question they should just stick to the staple answer of “I’ll do a job wherever I’m needed”.
As soon as you reiterate your desire to play in a position, the dicks in the media report you as fed up.
I wonder what happens if, say, we buy someone like Vidal or Schneiderlin. They aren’t out and out DM, more like box-to-box midfielders. Now that would be a selection headache.
According to a certain tabloid, Barcelona want Ramsey and are prepared to pay 50 million quid for him. Sounds like a great piece of business to me. Spend that money on a top striker and we could really be in business next season.
And then Santi gets injured or loses form and we’re counting on Jack to stay healthy and disciplined staying back.
Not for me, thanks.
Erm, why not just buy the striker without Barca’s money and keep Ramsey??
I have a dream… That one day we will see a balanced Arsenal starting 11. Central Midfielders, in central midfield. Right-footed wingers on the right wing and don’t always feel the need to drift inwards to get involved in build up play. Left wingers on the left wing who stretch and widen our play, and who’s only plan of attack is to cut in from the left. Fullbacks who s concerned with defensive as well as attack. Attacking midfielders who sometimes feel the need to take a shot when the opportunity is there, rather than go for the nth over-elaborate… Read more »
Btw, this is not a slight on any of our players guys, more on Wenger’s interest to always put square pegs in round holes
Ramsey and Jack perform a similar function in central midfield but with different expression Where Ramsey has the vision and passing edge, Jack is better running with the ball/low CG. Out wide our options are Walcott, Alexis, Ox then maybe Gnabry, Akpom or Campbell should he do a Coquelin (and there is of course also Santi) Should Walcott leave, we can benefit from another wide player but maybe someone who can perform the Quasi-striker role. A Lacazette or maybe Dybala. We have a very deep squad currently with balanced capabilities in promise and experience : CF – Giroud Welbeck RW… Read more »
Shut the fuck up and play where you’re put.
How many times is he gonna come out and tell us this? I used to be a huge Ramsey fan, and still think he is/will be a great player, but he’s testing my patience. He goes goal-hunting too much, and needs to focus on finishing this season wherever he’s asked to play, not re-informing us every week how much he wants to play center midfield. If Theo came out this much with his desire to play CF, he’d be crucified here…
Just a couple of points… – What if we are dropping both Cazorla and Coquelin ? There were a quite strong midfield with very similar charasteristics like Wilshere/Ramsey (remember Scholes and Keane?) If they would be able to stick to there positions and learn disciplined defending… and we’d put Özil before them – that would be a massive midfield (with energy, creativity and pace) – A couple of months ago Wenger said that it is quite ideal if we have 2 players (fighting for the place) in every position – Özil vs. Santi, Ramsey vs. Wilshere, Coq vs. the Javi… Read more »