Wenger backs his ‘friend’ to get in the box

Arsene Wenger has given his backing to Aaron Ramsey despite the Welshman not playing at his Jesusy best so far this season.

He’s had some odd moments – none more than last weekend when he clobbered a simple pass out for an Aston Villa corner – yet he’s also scored three times this campaign, including a vital late winner against Crystal Palace.

While acknowledging Ramsey hasn’t been quite at his optimal level, the Arsenal manager feels he’ll go back to basics to find his form.

“He is back now,” said Wenger. “He had a little moment when he was not at his best but that can happen. I am fully confident that he is back.

“He always wants to play. He has a terrific engine and on the pitch he never hides, so when he sometimes makes a mistake it is noticeable – but if you look at his overall contribution to the team, it is always fantastic.”

Asked whether Ramsey might be trying a little too hard this year when he’s in and around the box, Wenger admitted that the player may be feeling a weight of expectation after his goal scoring exploits last term.

“Yes sometimes [he may have been trying too hard]. I believe he felt a bit more pressure to score. You always have to come back to basics. What is my job? Midfielder, win the ball and give a good pass.

“After that, with his natural engine, a consequence of that is he will have chances. But if you play like [you believe that you] have to score, every time you want to be in the box you forget a little bit of the basics of the job.

“He is a Lampard type and when you watch the picture again, who is in the box? Oh, my friend Aaron is there – but he has to start from midfield.”

If we weren’t a bit *boilk* at this end we’d have photoshopped Ramsey’s handsome mug on the face of each character from Friends. You’ll just have to imagine for yourselves how good a visual gag that would have been…especially with Arsene in the background as Gunther.