Arsenal have gone from a team full of fragile youngsters with proneness to errors, to a squad brimming with talent, mature heads on young shoulders and a resilient structure – genuine title contenders.
Much is attributed to the signings. Firstly, Flamini’s return has added an extra bite to the Arsenal midfield, and the capture of Mesut Ozil was not only surprising, but a huge sign of intent. A player who many consider the best in his position, his undeniable natural talent has made Arsenal far more quick and decisive in attack.
In addition, Arsenal sit atop the Premier League not only because of the signings, but because they have experienced something this season they have not experienced in recent years – continuity. No big name exits, just the sales of players considered deadwood. Not only have they managed to keep their better players, but as the club have remained patient, the faith is beginning to prove right as previously maligned players are beginning to turn heads. Wojciech Szczesny has started brightly, Kieran Gibbs has become more consistent, Per Mertesacker and Koscielny (two long unrecognised talents) have formed a strong partnership and Olivier Giroud is now a merciless bully who can hold his own against most defenders in a physical battle.
But no one is a greater example than Aaron Ramsey.
When discussing Arsenal’s recent tribulations many pundits use a recycled narrative perpetuated by idiocy and a fear of standing out. Things such as ‘too much emphasis on developing young players’ and a constant cry of defensive issues. Yet all have failed to see that the talent is there – it just needed time to evolve. And it has, with Ramsey at the forefront of Wenger’s plan.
With 13 goals in all competitions this season, it is a huge improvement for a man who previously was shooting like a sniper with a twitch. Now more composed, the Welshman is not only contributing goals but with his overall play; he imposes himself on games and takes control.
It’s a stark contrast from last season. After a career-threatening injury he returned to full fitness, however he struggled with form and the weight of the world soon begun to grow on his shoulders. Stray passes and missed chances were met with a chorus of sighs and groans. A shame, as his performance against Manchester United in his first season back was a sign of how talented he really is.
When looking at players struggling for form, one thing that becomes apparent is a distinct lack of confidence. They don’t approach games with their heads up. They tend to go for the easy ball to avoid failing to execute something special, leading to more sighs, groans and jeers. They play too inhibited and ultimately put too much emphasis on trying to improve and thus do not play their natural game, to the detriment of their performance.
Aaron Ramsey was different. Not once did he hide. He was played out of position, targeted and singled out, forced to play in a bubble created by impatience and apprehension. In a time where many wanted him gone and out of the team the manager stuck with him and this season we are seeing why he did. His starting place was questioned and Arsene Wenger was criticised for continuing with him.
Arsene Wenger is one for faith. He has stuck by Theo Walcott, Laurent Koscielny and Abou Diaby in recent years and Alex Song and Robin van Persie in the past, so to expect him to give up on Ramsey so soon was nonsensical. Both Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson chased Ramsey when he was a youngster at Cardiff, and both of those men cannot be wrong.
With a team full of talent, who would have thought that the man standing out as the most impressive is the one that many had hoped would not have been in the squad at the start of the season?
He had a great pre-season and started well, especially in the Champions League. In Arsenal’s 5-0 aggregate win against Fenerbahce he stole the show, scoring one in the away leg then grabbing a superb double in the second. Since then he hasn’t looked back. Perhaps his greatest moment of the season was opening the scoring against Stoke. He silenced the Stoke crowd and all players rushed to congratulate him. It was great to see and confirmation that he was back.
His role in the midfield is so integral that he is almost certainly the first name on the team-sheet. His unbelievable engine and ability to carry the ball makes him the perfect box-to-box player, but then his ability to pick a pass and find space makes him the ideal attacking-midfielder too. He’s also an impressive tackler, averaging around 4 a game and he can read the game well, which also makes him adept as a deep midfielder. Such is the beauty of Arsenal’s midfield, players can rotate and interchange and Ramsey benefits from that. He is literally everywhere on the pitch, utilising each attribute he has in each position he chooses. He is well on his way to becoming the perfect complete midfielder.
One thing clear at the club is they do not knee-jerk. If they did Wenger would be out of a job and most of their better players this season would’ve been sold. The Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny partnership would probably be Chris Samba and Gary Cahill. Or at least, until they played three games badly and were replaced.
The Arsenal way is to do things properly. They do not spend frivolously. Developing players and teaching them the ethos from young and giving them the platform to grow as a unit, that’s what they do and so far it is working. Aaron Ramsey stands as the best example of believing in talent when nobody else does. It is he who has silenced the fans and changed many opinions.
It’s not form, it’s ability. It’s Aaron Ramsey.
