Is Aaron Ramsey Back To His Best?

 

Arsenal swept aside Turkish giants Galatasaray last night in a first half that was like the Arsenal of old. The football on display was quick, incisive and direct something that Arsenal fans had been craving for sometime now. Former Cardiff midfielder Aaron Ramsey was the pick of the bunch as he scored 2 and assisted Lukas Podolski with Arsenal’s opener after just 3 minutes played.

Arsenal’s first was a move that was started all the way back from Szczesny as he played it to Per Mertesacker combination play between Mathieu Flamini and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain deep in midfield they then worked the ball to Ramsey who took on the hosts defence and slotted through Podolski who fired venomously past a rooted Bolat in the Galatasaray goal.

Just 11 minutes in and it was 2-0 to the visitors, Oxlade-Chamberlain picked the ball up in the centre circle and drilled a delightful pass to Ramsey who ran at the heart of the Galatasaray defence composed himself and slotted the ball passed a once again helpless Bolat and Arsenal were on easy street.

Ramsey’s 2nd and Arsenal third was astonishing. The Turkish side failed to clear a Joel Campbell corner which invitingly dropped at the Welshman’s feet, he caught his volley flush on his left foot drilling a shot to Bolat’s right hand top corner and that was that for the game as a contest.

Ramsey has had an inconsistent start to this season with many expecting so much after such an impressive campaign last season, he has scored 3 goals in 14 Premier league games this season and 2 in 5 champions league games. Ramsey’s form seems to have suffered with Arsene Wenger on numerous occasions asking the 23 year old midfielder to play a more defensive role which has not really suited him. last night’s performance however showed Ramsey’s value going forward as he controlled the midfield before he was substituted at half time.

Last season was Ramsey’s breakthrough season but was once again cut short due to injury, he only managed to play 23 premier league games but picked up 8 assists and chipped in with 10 goals which was unexpected and he also got the winner in the FA Cup fianl against Hull City which ended Arsenal long wait for silverware.

Ramsey was signed back in 2008 from Cardiff City as Arsenal pipped rivals Manchester United to the Welshman’s signature for a fee believed to be £4.8 million which now seems like a real bargain for a player with such ability.

Ramsey is now part of the furniture at the Emirates and now needs to kick on. Arsenal still have big injury concerns in midfield with injuries to Mikel Arteta and Mesut Ozil and the long term injury to Jack Wilshere. There is no one player at the club that has more natural ability than Ramsey and providing he is utilised efficiently by Wenger this could be his time to shine in an Arsenal shirt.