Aaron Ramsey says he’s ready for next Sunday’s game with Liverpool despite playing only 63 minutes of pre-season football.
The Welsh international started in central midfield against Manchester City in yesterday’s 3-2 win in Gothenburg, his first appearance for the Gunners since his eye-catching performances for Wales at EURO 2016.
The midfielder delivered a composed performance in front of new teammate Granit Xhaka and could have opened the scoring when he headed Alexis’ cross just over in the first half.
Speaking to Arsenal Player after the game, Ramsey also touched on the importance of making the most of the next few days.
“It felt good to come in and play the last game before the start of the season,” said the 25-year-old.
“It’s good fitness for us and I felt good to get back out there again. I feel ready to go for Liverpool.
He continued: “It’s always a tough test against them, especially after going a goal behind as well in a pre-season game, but we did well to come back and win the game.
“This was preparation and a step in the right direction too. We’ll benefit from that. We’ve got one week now to get the last bit out of us before it all kicks off again.”
Having been voted into UEFA’s team of the tournament following Wales’ run to the semi-finals of the European Championships, it’s fair to say that Ramsey is in confident mood. His next challenge is to carry on where he left off in France; a challenge he accepts.
“It was an amazing time for me personally and also Welsh football. It was an amazing achievement by the boys and now hopefully I can carry my form into the new season.”
Go on Rambo. I haven’t picked a single arsenal MF in my dreamteam as I genuinely don’t have a clue who’s gonna start there.
We need a huge season from Aaron due to Arsene totally bottling it once again in the transfer window. Hopefully the number 8 shirt gives him some Ljungberg like powers and he starts banging in the goals again, because other than Giroud and Sanchez, he is the only other player that is going to realistically score goals for us. Hopefully his Euro campaign helps give him the confidence to go on and be a big time player for us… I don’t care how many celebrities have to die.
Go where?
I must admit I’m curious to see who gets the for the midfield spots vs the Mugsmashers.
Might want to err on the side of caution if we play the 2 young CBs.
I think it’ll be Xhaka, Ramsey, Cazorla, Iwobi, Ox, Sanchez. I’d rather see Campbell on that Ox to be honest, but think Wenger will persist. If Giroud is deemed fit enough to play, would be him over Ox I suspect. Can’t see Iwobi being dropped given his performances end of last season and this pre-season.
I think between Ox and Campbell, Campbell is better at defending. As long as we are being cautious.
If we’re playing Holding and Chambers, maybe the logical thing in midfield is to play Coq and Xhaka in front of them to give as much protection as possible. It’s then a case of Ramsey or Santi in the advanced role (in the absence of Ôzil).
There’s always 2 of Elneny, Xhaka and Coq who can all do a job – maybe even the Elneny/Coq combo is a more familiar partnership at this moment in time.
I am praying we sign a CB. A transition from the bottom of the Championship to an opener against Liverpool will prove too much for Holding. Chambers is good enough to start alongside an experienced CB but not enough to be the experienced player himself. Let’s hope Gabriel’s injury turns out to be a blessing in disguise.
As for Rambo, can’t wait to see him play a more central role, grow in confidence and start banging them in like he did in the 13/14 season.
Set up for Wales meant he was a squee peg in a square hole. He played very well against piss poor Russia and Slovakia. Well done. The clamour by some that he can be our number 10 is amusing as yesterday proved, he is not good enough. Good squad player. If everyone is fit Ramsey is on the bench for me. Could make difference coming on with 20 minutes to go.
Belgium game aswell then? not good enough?
play him in the 13/14 season role, and we have a CLASS midfielder.
There is a massive gap between international football and club football. A few decent performances at a piss poor tournament like this year’s Euros have no bearing at all on whether Ramsey is good enough to play for Arsenal. Ramsey’s 2013-14 season (3 years ago at this point) becomes more and more exaggerated with each mention, it’s becoming a bit like Wilshere’s game against Barcelona 5 years ago. If Ramsey is willing to play in a Ray Parlour-like utility midfield role then he has some value. If we’re going to get the version of the last few seasons that seems… Read more »
The Euros might have been poor offensively, but Ramsey definitely a stand out player, and easily delivered better than i.e Bale for his team.
Ramsey’s max level is amazingly high, and i hope he hits his max level again this season.
I said it before and I’ll say it again. You are not good enough commentator and you should consider doing something else. Like ball juggling or being a circus attraction. Ramsey a squad player? People, you are crazy.
I really like Rambo but get the feeling he’d be better in a diamond with Xhaka sitting and Rambo+Elneny box2box.
As a two man with Ozil in front I’m not convinced.
Nice problem to have though
I’m in the same boat as blogs re Ramsey. I think long term thinking is that Xhaka was brought in to allow Rambo more freedom in the middle. His best season was playing with Arteta and Xhaka looks a similar player, calm in possession, can pick a pass, also has a better defensive side to his game. On paper GraniRam looks like a good match.
Gotta be Xhaksey, surely…
Ramhaka sounds good.
Like something from Robot Wars.
Even if we buy an experienced CF today, which i can’t see happening, although i keep hoping, he won’t be ready for Sunday….so we are stuck with these guys for the Liverpool match and based on what i have seen of them in the pre seasons so far, i think they will be ok. They might be inexperienced. but they are not bad defenders We might need to play a strong DM combo like Coq/ Xhaka to sit and protect them more. They are both tough and positionally disciplined, plus Xhaka can play make from deep with his long range… Read more »
Holding and Chambers have experience playing together, which could be valuable. I don’t think either has looked too bad in pre-season but obviously that very very different to a first competitive game against Liverpool, and a first premier league game for Holding. That said – it looks like our best/only real choice unless Kos comes back early. I am not sure what we will go for in midfield – as some have said it may be a good idea to have Xhaka and Coq to provide more cover and Ramsey more advanced? We looked pretty decent with this combination yesterday.… Read more »
Off subject…but
John Terry got a head injury in a friendly yesterday…
And nobody noticed.
Sorry I didn’t hear that…
John Terry has friends?!
I see the possibility of us playing Monreal and chambers at center back with a strong DM of Coq/Xhaka/Elneny
I must contest this, in my opinion: The defenders Holding, the midfielders Coq
I beg to differ. The back line is Bellerin Holding Chambers Nacho.
IMO, Chambers and Holding will be better. Did I just say “better”? Well it has really gotten to this in reality. These guys are good but not ready yet to be thrown into a competitive Emirates environment esp against Liverpool. fingers crossed we succeed. COYG
Elneny is a very brilliant and intelligent player, cannot be left out in the starting line up, esp in the absence of Ozil
3
El Neny + Xhaka should negate the need for Coquelin, who whilst an excellent dribbler and destroyer (and having improved his passing) is not on their level of passing and positioning.
Ramsey can play ahead of them until Ozil is back, then either he or Ozil will have to go out to the wing or sit on the bench. He’s not good enough at CM.
I think Wenger might be tempted to put his Coq in our defensive hole
I think Bauhaus is crap. I can never find anything.