Today we have the first in a series of blogs on the rise and rise of Aaron Ramsey, which with a bit of luck will see some new bloggers popping their cherries.
I’m not ashamed to say that I wasn’t always Ramsey’s biggest fan. For a long time I quite simply though he was bad. In fact I was positive that he wasn’t good enough. When we discussed the deadwood that needed unloading, I lumped Ramsey in with Park, Djourou, and dare I say it, the great Lord Bendtner. He was a waste of space in my eyes; someone who would hold onto the ball too long in midfield and couldn’t win it back when he lost it. Don’t even get me started on when he played on the wing. There weren’t and still aren’t many footballers that really get my blood boiling. If Arsene bought them they must have something about them. I supported Arshavin for longer than most and was disappointed when both Eduardo and Vela were sold. All of them had shown flashes of brilliance, but dulled for some reason or another; injury, failure to adapt to the Premier League etc. To this day I still believe Arshavin just got too old and lost his fitness. However, something about Aaron just didn’t click with me. I cut him some slack, as I think we all did, after the terrible challenge from the Orc King that could have cleaved Castle Grayskull itself in two. However, by the 2011/2012 season I was frustrated with his lack of progression and felt he would never achieve the heights we had projected for him.
The paragraph you’ve just read was my opinion for about a year. My friends will never let me forget it.
One very important factor in the rise of Rambo is Arsene Wenger. He had potential when signing from Cardiff sure, but potential doesn’t always make a great player. Jay Emmanuel Thomas had potential too. I always saw Jack Wilshere as more talented, and more likely to make it. But Arsene always knew. Before paying 5 million pounds (for a 17 year old from Cardiff that’s nothing to sneeze at) Wenger reportedly flew him out to Switzerland to discuss his future. The boss was commentating at Euro 2008 at the time. Wenger spent over a month watching the best players in Europe and flew Aaron Ramsey out to convince him to join Arsenal. That shows you the belief Wenger had in him right from the beginning. While Ramsey was recovering from injury in 2010, a career threatening double leg break, Wenger signed him to a new long term contract. When others would have abandoned him, Wenger reassured him that he had a future at the club. The following season Jack would have one of his best performances for the club, in the 2-1 win over Barcelona at the Emirates. Aaron who? But Arsene always knew.
We’ve all heard that quote from Wenger: “Once Aaron Ramsey starts scoring he won’t stop”.
And he didn’t. Right up to the final moment of our last and most important game of the season, Aaron Ramsey didn’t stop scoring. But Ramsey’s rise (I’m enjoying the alliteration here) didn’t start in 2013/2014 season. That was just when he finally reached the top of the mountain. That F.A. Cup final goal sends Aaron Ramsey down in Arsenal history. Aaron Ramsey; Drought-Breaker. But it didn’t start there. In December 2012, Ramsey signed a new contract as part of our so called ‘British core’ along with Jenkinson, the Ox, Wilshere and Gibbs. Another show of faith from the boss. He never looked back. At this point I was still unsure of Ramsey’s future at Arsenal. In my eyes he still held the ball for too long, and tried clever tricks in areas of the pitch where he really shouldn’t have. But I began to see a change. Ramsey became very solid defensively. He didn’t score a mountain of goals in 2012/2013 in fact we only saw 1 premier league goal. What we did see however, was the start of the great Aaron Ramsey Engine. He started 17 of our last 20 matches, having previously started only 12 all season. From January onwards, he was indispensable, next to Arteta in midfield, becoming a true box to box player, running the ball between our defence and attack. This was when Ramsey finally set upon his climb with vigour. More and more I found myself admitting Ramsey had played well, had had a good game, had been man of the match. His rise was gathering pace.
Just before the start of last season we got a glimpse of what Ramsey would do. After a great pre-season, Ramsey topped it off with a lovely run from deep to score against Man City, as well as assisting a great goal from Theo (Oh what could have been). He also scored 3 times against Fenerbahce across two legs. It was something we would get used to. He scored against Fulham, Sunderland, Stoke (delightfully), Swansea and Norwich; 5 goals in the first 7 premier league games. By this point in the season we had already run out of superlatives for him. He didn’t have a part in Arsenal’s goal-of-the-season wonder goal against Norwich, so instead took it upon himself to dribble past the entire Norwich defence and score (leaving half of them on the floor behind him). It was Messi-esque. And yes I just made up that word because there are no words to describe how good Ramsey had become. Clearly my opinion has now completely changed. That’s not me back tracking or denying what I had previously believed. Quite simply I couldn’t be stubborn and ignore what was right in front of me. Despite the signing of Mesut Ozil, Ramsey had become Arsenal’s best player, our talisman, our driving force. I’ve not seen a player play like this in midfield for Arsenal for a long time. Fabregas was great he really was, but Ramsey had resurrected the spirit of Patrick Vieira to play at Arsenal’s heart.
What was Ramsey’s best moment of the 2013/2014 season? The goals against Norwich, Liverpool and Dortmund all stand out in my memory, but surely the F.A. Cup final goal takes the crown. His goals had dried up a little in the final moments of the season but when we were desperate, when we really needed someone to pull us out of a hole, Ramsey was there. I remember sitting right at the top of Wembley stadium and feeling despair when we were 2 nil down. I had been at Birmingham too. Surely this couldn’t happen again. Slowly but surely we clawed our way back. Ramsey didn’t have his best game, far from it, but in typical Ramsey fashion he never gave up. I remember a number of shots from outside the box, going high, going wide but inching closer every time, and I vividly remember turning to my dad saying, “I don’t care if he misses, they should keep giving him the ball. Let him shoot”. It was a massive change from my attitude towards Ramsey 18 months previously, where I would groan whenever he touched the ball.
Shoot he did. And score he did. Aaron Ramsey, after his best ever season, after being the best midfielder in England for 12 months, scored the winning goal to win the F.A. Cup for Arsenal. Drought-Breaker. Ramsey has climbed an Everest of injury, abuse and negativity, lots from his own fans. But he never gave up, and now he’s standing at the highest peak with an F.A. Cup winner’s medal and fistful of names he’s proved wrong, including a certain Dutch ex-captain who wanted him sold. He proved me wrong too. But he wouldn’t gloat because he’s not like that.
Aaron Ramsey has made a humble football fan of me. After his last 18 months I never feel I can write any player off no matter how bad they are. People have consistently written off Jenkinson, but I did the same with Ramsey. People wrote off Giroud, but I did the same with Ramsey. Hell I even don’t feel I can write off Tom Cleverly. Don’t get me wrong, I really think he’s shit. But once upon a time I said this guy wasn’t good enough for Arsenal Football Club and I had to eat my words. His name is Aaron Ramsey; Drought-Breaker.
By Tom Papaloizou @TomPapaloizou
Positively Arsenal 
Everyone is under a table Aman.
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ITS OK PEOPLE..YOU CAN ALL COME OUT NOW!
GAINS & HUNTER HAVE left the premises!
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“Nike to end United deal!”
…tee hee hee
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Will it be Sanchez or Alexis on the shirt?
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For me it will be Bergkamp10 , like it always has been and always will be. Apart from my dalliance with Arshavin 23.
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Last summer there was a strong rumour about Cesar coming as back up keeper. Can’t help but think that an experienced older keeper who will be relatively happy training and sitting on the bench for much of the season is what we need. I think we probably already have the second best keeper in the world, so feel it is cover rather than competition we need. Can’t see many ambitious keepers wanting to come to us with Szczsney blocking the way.
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Sorry George – that wasn’t a rhetorical question. Wanted to know how he likes to be referred to.
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Ah right.
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I quite like ALEXIS but it’s England, I expect it to be SANCHEZ., foreverheady
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With the WC out of the way, the next big tournament is the Euros.
Could we be perfect for Stekelenburg to reboot his career?
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Did any CB/DM impress in Brazil enough to be worthy of the Arse?
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Aman @ 6.52
Not this dude: https://mobile.twitter.com/SportHumour/status/486907042226241536/photo/1
Hehe.
I think it’s fair to say Silva would get into any team, at least the squad! He is a player that young Arsenal CBs say they model their game upon (not David Luiz then….), and he cost PSG a lot less then Luiz!
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I guess Scolari’s name will not be popping up anymore when a club going through a managerial merry-go-round needs a manager. Pep, on the other hand, has turned Kroos and Muller into Xavi and Iniesta.
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lol fins…did that psg expenditure on luiz come out your pocket then? is that why your buddy classifies him and hummels as donkeys and below djourou?
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And hopefully moving on, I hope that the Argies manage to barge their way past the diving, cheating, evil Dutch players who are tainted by unfortunate association with the evil, diving, cheating Mancs.
But I expect that the Netherlands will win this game.
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yes gains..mueller was waiting for pep to show him how to play….before pep he was at a level below henderson …
mueller has always played on the sides mate while iniesta is an 8 …but best not to wake you up …continue ……
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Hunter, Gains is trying to move on. I suggest you let him.
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oh what ? let him that easy of the hook? maybe he shouldnt take cheap shots on matters he is wrong and pretend the authority on football..but ………………………………………………………………………………. since its you asking…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
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Thank you.
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Gains
Intriguingly someone told me last night that it was the Bayern Munchen clique in ze German camp that had insisted on Lahm playing in midfield, and eventually the manager changed his mind. Not sure how big a factor Khedira’s fitness was in that, must have been a consideration. Very impressive game from the fitter Khedira last night, especially in the first half hour. I hope AW was watching! *coughs*.
I wrote here at the time that I thought young Pep was very lucky to get away with not starting Muller in the first CL game, using it as an example to show how low the Groaners had gone over the years, because we all know that everyone including the great managers make mistakes! Apart form Hunter : ). But for the odd missed penalty and that injury to Gibbs (was Hodgson watching this game, I don’t think so! At least I hope not…) he would have paid the price.
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Hunter;
You know that ignoring people you dont agree with, thing?
How is that working out for you mate?
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If everyone would stop winding each other up we might get some proper footy talk going on.
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Tom
That was a very enjoyable piece. It is also refreshing when someone is candid about how their views change. I look forward to the sequel.
Now for the game. I think it is The Netherlands tonight….
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Can we stop all this arguing now – it’s going to get messi in a minute.
I’ll get my coat…..
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I want Messi in the final
It is how football should be
Individual genius v the perfectly tuned machine
The drama of the Universe
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Hate both teams, so don’t really care which bunch of cheats dive their way to the final
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When did I say Pep taught Kroos and Muller how to play?
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No worries, George. We’re having our annual airing of grievances.
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Gains. Ignore it.
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They look evenly matched to me.
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Fin, I’m glad the Bayern clique was overruled. However, I think they played Lahm there while Khedira gained back his fitness.
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“he’s got heart and cojones that your gay-boy djourou will never possess”
Call yourself an Arsenal supporter? until very recently, that ‘gay boy’ was an Arsenal player. Alongside your fervent support of the racist biter, I have to question the roots of your championing of non-AFC players over those wearing the shirt.
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I want Messi in the final
Me too!
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Gains,
Those were my thoughts too, fitness is more important then almost any other consideration.
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This is shit, both side are crap
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Mon dieu hard hard relentless football – watch either side when they lose the ball
Bloody hell – watch learn apply
Anyone made a mistake yet? Even a little one !
Love it
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Oh crap I fell asleep…..did I miss much in the first half?
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My word how big is van Gaal’s forehead?
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Pass, Djourou is still an Arsenal player.
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It’s cagey, George.
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Argentina getting hold of the game
Or just wishful
Thinking
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This ref is beginning to worry me.
He seems to like Holland’s studs in style.
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Gains, I’m confused about Djourou – Arsenal.com kept reporting on him during the WC to suggest he was still an AFC player, but I thought he had been confirmed as transferred to Hamburg?
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Pass
I was sure he was sold to Hamburg as they had the option at the end of the season.
As Gains (and I, cough) noted he had Messi in his pocket during the WC.
He dererse more respect than many Gooners have been prepared to give him.
He played in the defence when the team was imploding around him, often out of position too. He would still make a decent 4th choice CB and his club loyalty can’t be questioned.
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Messi doing a Jack Wilshere impression here. Heavy traffic.
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Another CB better than Sideshow Bob? Ron Vlaar.
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I agree DC, he doesn’t deserve to be castigated in that way, especially by people who ‘claim’ to be AFC supporters! I still remember before his dislocated shoulder injury how well he was playing for the team and how concerned people were about his absence.
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Gawd this is tight
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Gains,
I dint dislike sideshow bob, he would be an ok-ish midfielder, he has just been overhyped way way beyond his abilities. He has a decent striking foot though.
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Passeral,
Our fan base have the memory of goldfish.
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