Aaron Ramsey spoke to Sky Sports after the 2-0 win over West Brom this evening. Here’s how the questions and answers went.
How impressed were you with the team?
It was a fantastic performance from us. After all the results, none of them went our way at the weekend, and we had to take advantage of the fact we were at home and we managed to do that.
Were you watching closely as all others won?
Of course, you’re watching hoping one or two of them might drop points but they’ve very strong this season, and it’s going to be a tough year. There’s a lot of quality in all those teams so it was important to get a win tonight.
How tough did West Brom make it?
We know all about their team, they’re well organised, they get plenty of men behind the ball, and it’s just a case of being patient, being alert to the counter attack and trying to break them down. We managed to do that in the end, but we know it’s always going to be tough again them.
Playing in a more advanced role like he does for Wales?
That’s my position for Wales, and I like to try and get inbetween the lines. That’s one of the things the manager asked me to do, to get in there on the half-turn and try and create opportunities. So, I enjoy playing that role, I still have to do a job and try and stop the ball getting between me and the central midfielder but it’s a lot different.
Any view on the West Brom penalty – was your heart in your mouth?
I was up the other end of the pitch, I was trying to get back so I didn’t quite see what happened [grins widely] but I’m sure there was contact for him to go down, but I think someone else had a chance then. The referee played advantage and I’m not sure that was worth it for them in the end but I think if you do play advantage the penalty is over then.
We’ve been critical down the years – what do you think might be different to make a title challenge (Carragher question)?
We wanna make the Emirates a fortress. We’ve had three wins here now and we know how important that’s going to be in the title run. And playing away against the top teams, we’ve seen against Chelsea that we were lot more organised, we perhaps could have nicked it. That’s what we need away from home against the top teams.
What was the difference against Chelsea away (Henry question)?
I just think that we were a lot more organised. The distances between the units were a lot smaller, and it was harder for Chelsea to play between the lines. Against Liverpool our distances were too big, the gaps between midfield and defence were massive for them to gallop into. That was the difference, everybody was fighting hard to help each other, and we were happy with the performance.
Your were fouled by Nyom? Was it a penalty?
Yeah, I took it around him and he pushed me out of the way. I got the other side of him so I think it was a penalty.
What do you think when you hear Carragher and Henry say you can’t be title challengers?
We have a lot of people talking about us but ultimately we have to stick together in the dressing room. We know we have quality, and what we’re capable of producing, but it’s about producing that consistently throughout the season. There’s no doubt this team has got the quality to compete and challenge for the Premier League, but it’s about consistency throughout the season.
A planet of men?
plenty*
Great win, Pulis you wank, shit hat you have also
These ‘experts’ are still writing us off. Good for us.
Better to be the underdog
Yep
We genuinely are the underdog or house cat if we play the way we did at Pool. You just need to look at the quality of the other Squads. In honesty our squad is good to challenge for fourth place. I’m glad though the team seems to be aiming for The title
Whilst I agree that we’re very much the underdog, all the top teams will have poor games. The important thing is that we don’t have any more of them (fingers crossed).
30+ games is a long way to go…
Yes, I mean those ‘experts’ have been right for the past 12 years but what do they know?
So when they start the season saying we’re not strong enough to get into the CL but we manage it, or that we’ll be lucky to get top 4 but we end up a solid 2nd or 3rd, as they have many times in the last 20 odd years, you’re saying they were right and my memory was just an acid fuelled dream… wow.
what? you actually think we have a chance at the title? hahahaha. your name fits your comment.
Good lad, played well.
A few sloppy momenta though. It was him making a careless pass in final 3rd that led to the mustafi penalty incident. Or course again you would say the team behind him was too easy to play through.
pulis wishes he could get a planet of men behind the ball
Is that what he’s calling the shower games these days?
This team is tougher than many give them credit for. West Brom apparently came to play a physical game, but unlike the soft-touch years of Nasri, Fab and others, the boys would not wilt.
My only sore point tonight was Mustafi. Whoever scouted this guy and recommended him for us should have been looking for another job now. Johny Evans would have been better and cheaper last season. We’ve been ripped off big time. This guy’s rush of blood will cost the team dearly some day if not checked.
He is part of the german national squad. For me, that means he has quality.
The trick for his playing career at Arsenal is for Arsene, Bould and co. to do their job and coach that rush of blood you speak of out of his game. If he can get some composure, a top shelf defender he is.
I can’t argue with anything you’ve said; as a fan, I want him to do well.
But that reckless sliding-in doesn’t look like it’s going to go away soon. Is Arsene – or Steve for that matter – talking about it in training?
Carragher and Henry need to shut it. I mean we are still only 6 games in. Granted the league positions are taking shape, the Manchester teams are free scoring and this year’s margins will be again slim, but we are still only 6 points off the top. What we need as Ramsey has mentioned is to find consistency quickly. No sloppy play, take our opportunities more efficiently, we are still squandering too many chances. Its never been the case that we have not had the ability. Its always been a question if we have the appetite to show consistency. NO… Read more »
What’s with the Maitland Niles substitute?
And could we not have kept Lacazette slightly longer to try and get his hattrick?
Personally don’t understand what Keown was going on about Giroud not having the pace to go behind the Brummies defense. Did Lacazette do that? Thought we would have been better off with Giroud starting personally. Get a bit of presence in the box packed with orcs.
Team game, not an individual one so I dont support leaving a player out there for personal glory.
I think Giroud should of come on at the 70th minute mark, the team was getting in good spots but couldnt get a shot away vs 11 in the box, they needed to mix it up a bit. Uptil then though, Lacazette had been tops and justified his place in the starting lineup.
Carragher!
As Barry sets his appearance record, I can’t help but guess you hold the one for most own goals.
Plus you must be carrying Igor Biscan from that Henry goal up to now you cu nt.
Ramsey really wanted to say “commitment”, not consistency.