It’s funny how critical evaluations of certain players seem to turn on a sixpence. Arsenal’s talented midfielder Aaron Ramsey has suffered the wrath of fans at more than one stage during his career. Whether he’s feeling the force of the Welsh fans who expect him to lead their side at just 21-years-old or disappointing Arsenal fans in some way or another he seems to inspire strong feelings. But fan’s response haven’t all been negative – people are always keen to point out that he’s young and will improve, they also note that the process he’s made at this stage in his career has been pretty impressive.
Arsene Wenger had enough faith in his ability to pay £5m for his signature back in 2008, fighting off staunch competition for Manchester United in the process. At the time he was widely considered to be one of world football’s biggest prospects. I think it’s fair to say that over the years circumstances have conspired to decrease his stock.
So what are we to make of Bleacher Report’s claims that he is in danger of losing his first-team place “for good”? Is this harsh or a fair assessment?
The trouble, when it comes to Aaron Ramsey, is that many fans struggle to put his career into perspective. Five years ago he was tipped to make it big in the Premier League – so how come he hasn’t fulfilled this potential yet? The answer’s clear, yet most fans don’t seem to grant his injury problems enough significance in terms of his career trajectory.
Back in 2010 Ramsey had eight months chipped out of his career thanks to a horrific double leg-break that he suffered against Stoke City. Naturally it took a significant portion of time for him to recover and I’d argue that he’s never quite captured his pre-injury from. Whilst he wasn’t exactly a regular back in those days, his performances were dynamic and effective and boded extremely well for his future.
So the perspective that Arsenal fans need: this is Ramsey’s first real full season of Premier League football, he’s just 21-years-old and he still has the potential to go on to be a major player.
Yes he has only managed 4 assists and 2 goals in 21 appearances, but he’s clearly still finding his feet. Stats like this don’t take into account the amount of ground he covers, his energetic approach and his ability to get himself into good positions.
Just take his game at Everton, where he was presented with 3 or 4 decent chances in the space of 15 minutes. Yes he’s lacking in clinicality, but he knows where he needs to be on the football pitch, works hard to get there and keeps Arsenal ticking over.
It’s easy to forget that scoring goals is something that young midfielders often learn last. Jack Wilshere still hasn’t learnt it and it took Cesc Fabregas a few seasons of regular football to establish some confidence in front of goal.
Bleacher Report’s main complaints, that his attempts at ‘intricate trickery’ don’t come off and that he’s a little ‘slow into challenges’ are symptomatic of the fact that he’s still adapting his game and his body to the pace of the Premier League. Quick frankly, after his horror-injury he deserves a season to readjust. His problem, if there is one, is that he’s been forced to pick up too much of the slack at Arsenal too soon thanks to injury troubles throughout the squad.
The fact that Wenger was willing to accommodate Ramsey in Wednesday’s squad against Everton shows that he’s still very much in Arsenal’s first team plans. He’ll get plenty of opportunities and the more game time he gets, the more his confidence will grow.
So let’s not write him off just yet.
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Why do Arsenal fans seem to hate Ramsey as if he’d never shown any quality and never will? Some even seem to suggest selling him and I seriously can’t understand why.
He’s not been magnificent every game but every time I’ve seen him play he’s displayed the qualities of a classic Arsenal player at a time when Wenger’s playing a somewhat different style of play.
You’d think they’d be a little fairer with an up and coming British talent who’s proven he can do it at this level and who’s career only took a dip because of a horrific injury endured whilst playing for their club.
I agree. I find it utterly perplexing how much stick he is getting at the moment. Was Wilshere really THAT much better last season? For the most part Jack put in a good shift in almost every game, and then put in the occasional excellent performance. In short, he never let us down, but even he didn’t make the most of his significant attacking talents when given the chance – I expect him to do that soon, perhaps when played in a more offensive role.
Now I agree with the feeling that Wilshere had a great 1st season last year, and, injuries permitting, there is little doubt he will become an Arsenal great, but has Ramsey REALLY been that much worse in what has been his first real season?
From what I’ve seen, he rarely let’s the team down in terms of work-rate and overall contribution, but he doesn’t look like a great playmaker at the moment. Does that mean he can’t be a quality midfielder? Not in my book. He has a great engine and pours strength and energy into the midfield and makes our midfield more solid. His failings are common in even the best young players. He needs to add the finishing touches (scoring goals, final pass), but you can’t judge him entirely on those stats or the fact that he tries to over-elaborate at times. He is far from a finished article player, but he does enough to justify his place in the squad, and I think we all know that he will improve.
can’t agree more this is soooo annoying for those who criticize ramsey i bet they r the same who were criticizing walcott 2 months ago and now same are praising him . In Arsene we Trust and did anyone of them notice that ramsey is captain of wales @ 22 years old ? isn’t Bale & Bellamy are from wales as well ? and ramsey their captain ? lol it shows that we have a great player who overcome a horrible fracture and is bouncing back . in addition look at him all he need is confidence to score but he is a horse covering all pitch this is what we call hidden soldier . this is his first season honestly we r lucky to have him our future is bright just look at our players quality and u see 🙂
I haven’t read Bleacher Report’s piece, but I must say that if their contention is that his attempts at intricate trickery don’t come off, then I agree with them. Just look at his “failed heel kick passes to minutes played” ratio. He attempts a heel kick (and fails) at least once per game (even as a sub) – though thankfully not in the Villa game (or did I miss it?).
Having said that, I don’t believe he’s even close to playing himself off the first team. Not even close. He and Walcott both are still very young and I believe will both be highly sought after stars.
Definately playing himself out of first team.he has been given plenty of chances and done nothing with them. I see him behind jack, diaby, arteta song ,rosicky and possibly coquelin and frimpong when it comes to the defensive side of midfield. I just didn’t realise our midfield is this well stoked
I may suppoc yeah,bt cnt help 2 say tat our midfield is so mch stockd,Diaby,Arteta,Song,Jack,Conqueln,Rosicck,Frimpong…ten?
He brings an intent of aiming at goal with a powerful drive something rare in Arsenal midfield. He isn’t a Cesc type but more of a Gerrard or Lampard. I think we have to judge him at the end of next season because he has the ability to be a great player.
He’s a victim of his own failure to learn from the games he has played. Each time, he’s given an opportunity to play, he does the same exact mistakes fans have come to associate with his failings.
This arsenal team isn’t about running and running with no sound effect as he does. We need purposeful running just like you see Arteta in the middle of the park or Rosicky when in possession of the ball or without. Even the technically less gifted Theo…his runs are full of purpose even though his first touch lets him down many times.
He delays passes when the team is on the attack because he wants to pull off certain flicks, or perform ‘Hollywood’ passes. He should model is game around Arteta, or Rosicky. Even Song..a DM has more clever use of the ball in both the middle of the park or in advanced positions.
Wenger likes him, but soon, its Wilshire who’s going to assume the behind the main striker role. He can’t play wide effectively either. The OX, is furiously knocking on Arsene’s door for a starting role (preferably to play in the middle with Jack long term). Diaby is also around the corner. Not to mention Ryo isn’t doing bad at Bolton.
There’s stiff competition for places upfront. He better ups his game now and perform as he still has a chance.
OR else, he will become another Denilson..whom Arsene gave loads of games ahead of Song and he didn’t do himself justice and Song leapfrogged him.
The fact that the chances were falling to him SHOWS that his running has purpose. I agree there is competition, so every player should be looking over their shoulders, including the more experienced players, but that doesn’t mean Ramsey should be singled out.
We’re not saying he isn’t talented. We’re questioning his contribution to the team’s overall attacking play presently. The most I see of him is developing into a Lampard kind of player but with more football skills.
At the moment everyone is hugely impressing, fighting and showing improvement except him. He’s the only player showing almost none exist-ant improvement, but constantly running to no significant purpose and shooting wide at almost every opportunity.
He should fight now or else, with quality players being promised by Arsene and more coming from the treatment table…he’s in trouble. He should do enough to avoid being another Denilson.
ramsey, has been given enough opportunities that make all arsenal fans angry becouse whenever ramsey is in the line up we always struggle to score or we end up losing. but with the form of tomas rosicky, we are beginning to see our lost free flow entertaining football. to be honest whenever i see ramsey in the starting line up and tomas on bench or shifted to the wing, i felt sick.
If someone make a stat regarding win-loss ratio when he was as starter or not, then may see why so many fans don’t like him.
I think most of fans may not want him to leave the club at the moment. We can see he has some talent. But the play maker position in the current Arsenal is so important. The position needs to be able to connect the front pass, make fine pass and able to score while Ramsey is simply no ready, at last at the moment.
People forget that this is his FIRST full season in the Arsenal first team. Give the man a chance for god sake!
Ramsey is gonna be a world beater! Yups, we got arteta, jack, rosicky….But Ramsey is Ramsey…He will never be like them…He got his own quality..just like others…
Arteta with his composure and shooting ability
Rosicky with his mobile quick minded 1-2 pass
Jack with his low gravity dribble & the accuracy to distribute
Ramsey with his positioning where to shoot..His shooting ability is completely gonna be better..He is definitely very important for US.
Szczesny, Gibbs, kyle Bartley, Frimpong, coquelin, Jack, Ramsey, Walcott, Wellington, Campbell, AOC, Ryo, All will be our core for the future!
Play maker role’s too important for d young man! I’ve always prefered rosisky there even since d time of fab4! When ros7 is there, there’s this flow in d game i luv to watch. He connects well wit d attack and assist excellently defensively. He does d barca style of markin. Markin immediately d ball is lost. In ma opinion, ros7 is d only player in d squad who can beat his marker hands down without stress and believ it or not dat distabilizes d defensive tactics of any team. Rambo can really learn from ros7 if he doesn’t see him as a competition but a mentor. I truly don’t need a lampard or gerald in arsenal. I’m sure d boss doesn’t either!
A player in his first full season deserves more support 4rm his own fans. Ramsey is Ramsey and not Cesc or Jack.
I hope this does not become a Ramsey witchhunt, as more vent their frustration?
I think Arsene has created a certain amount of this, sometimes out of necessity I agree. But whatever way you look at our current form of the last couple of months has come about from having a proper back four, a fit RVP, and above all … QUICK PASSING. It is that where, as Bennie has said above, that Ramsey has yet to improve upon. When every point is vital, I do not believe we can afford to have somebody ‘who keeps the midfield ticking over’… they need urgency and forward movement, both in thought and deed.
The problem now is, within the midfield regulars there is very little Ramsey can add over the others, and whilst I know everybody has got high expectations when Wilshere returns, personally I doubt we will see the ‘old JW’ until next season, Even now Ramsey will have to compete with the likes of Coquelin and AOC just to get on the bench?
Yes, he is young enough to develop his talent if he is not put into a mold he is not suited for … He is not a Cesc Fabregas, or Patrick Vierra, or even a combination of the two, Alex Song. Whether he has a role in the way Arsenal play, as opposed to the way the Welsh international side do, I have my doubts, for much of the reasons given by Bennie above. Perhaps a loan spell where he can find out more what suits him might be an idea next season, especially if the rumour mill is to be believed, and additions come in?
Rosicky and Arteta are on the way out. The CM future is Ramsey, the Ox and Jack with the prospect of 25+ goals per season coming from that area. Get used to the idea and stop worrying!
Ramsey is a magnificent very talented player but his is carrying a weight on his shoulders way above him, how to people expect someone who is yet to play a whole full season to fill the boots of cesc who started to flourish and show his abilities on his fifth season and after he played 3 full seasons with arsenal. Fans should be more realistic about this point, I am sure that ramsey will make us forget cesc fabregas but guys give the boy a break.
good article. people also forget that we’ve had a difficult season and this in its entirety cannot be laid at Ramsey’s door. the problems at the back, the lack of interest early on from Rosicky, Arsharvin and Walcott were contributors to our 9 losses.
rosicky had an awful second half against villa. people have already forgotten that, but not Ramsey’s digressions.
All u “so called fans” that say Aaron aint good enough for arsenal dont know what ur on about he’s 1 of our best players: hes very good at passing gets into the wright areas and has a good football brain. Hes obviously not as good as cesc4 but he can become One of arsenals best cm’s in recant years so stop giving him stick and support our players.
I would be very pleased if I am playing against Arsenal with Ramilson on the team sheet, as he would slow down the attack and allow us time to reorganise. I had labelled Denilson as the worst ever Wenger’s player and I got blast by that. Ramilson. I named him that, and I would never get it back. Sure Ramilson is young, Denilson was at his age too, did he ever improve?
I fear he is doing a Denilson, arrested development.
yes aaron fault when we ere loosing,nothing to do we were without fullback.or our late buy,
no let blame on a young player who just comeback from a very serious injury who could have end his carreer before it even start.
we send away fan favorite bashing boy denilson,eboue ,bendy so our fan have to find another one .
our so call fan are discusting .as worst as the tabloid in this country.one day our player are godlike the next you are a useless bastard .
why need rival fan when we have ours.