Arsène Wenger refused to call upon Aaron Ramsey in the closing stages of the season with ‘growing pains’ cited as the reason behind his omission from the squad. Yet with the campaign now over, Wales boss John Toshack does not have the luxury to leave out the 18-year-old – leading to his second consecutive start against Azerbaijan this afternoon.
Welsh pundits were lauding the midfielder after his display against Estonia, but with several players including Gareth Bale ruled out through injury, an even greater responsibility was put on the starlets young shoulders in the World Cup Qualifying Group 4 encounter.
Hennessey
Eardley – Williams – Morgan – Nyatanga – Gunter
Edwards – Ramsey – Ledley (c)
Chruch – Earnshaw
Starting as the central player in a 3 man midfield, BBC Wales were describing Aaron as The Dragons’ ‘star player’. It was clear that Azerbaijan thought the same as they crunched into the Arsenal man with just 55 seconds on the clock. It was a late and clearly intentional challenge but nothing was given.
The heavy winds in Baku were clearly effecting both sides passing, but through Ramsey Wales kept the ball well in the opening stages. However, it didn’t last for long, and as the hosts began to step things up, it was key the visitors defended well. The lively Fabio Ramin twice made dangerous runs towards the box but on both occasions Ramsey was on hand to tackle and clear the danger.
His defensive work was one of the notable plus points on the half hour mark, yet he soon showed his quality with a brilliant cross field pass which opened Azerbaijan up. Earnshaw won a corner from the pass, and Joe Ledley almost curled home from the resulting delivery. A tidy one-two between Aaron and Chris Gunter looked to open space down the left but another foul brought the move to a premature conclusion.
As half time approached ‘Rambo’ saw less and less of the ball, but Wales managed to find a break through. Dave Edwards turned home Earnshaw’s spilled cross and things were looking more than bright for Toshack’s side.
The second half was key for the young outfit. It was about keeping the ball well and not conceding. Aaron was particularly bright in the way he always tried to pick an ‘Arsenal style’ pass through the backline, that added to the aggression and tenacity he showed when trying to win back possession.
On 53 minutes Ramsey had the chance to test out his free-kick ability – which was not up to scratch. From 25 yards out he tried to curl an effort over the wall but got too under the ball and only succeeded in hitting the 3 man shield in front. It would be the final opportunity of the game that Wales would have to extend their lead.
Azerbaijan rallied shortly after and put all hands on deck to force an equaliser. Ramsey had to learn to protect his back four – a task he seemed uncertain of at first but quickly grew into the role. Wenger’s point about his midfielder being tired looked an accurate prediction as things drew to a close – Aaron looked worn out late on.
It finished 1-0 in a very windy Baku – giving Wales another three points in their bid to qualify for the World Cup. But more importantly and interestingly for Arsenal fans, Ramsey’s role as a midfield protector turned pass master looked promising.
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Article By – J.Sanderson
Any truth to the Belgian rumours we signed Thomas Vermaelan?
Try and keep on topic, SNED77.
It certainly seems there is some truth in the transfer, but I think it’s far from signed and sealed like some suggest.
Sorry to scruitinise but typo at the bottom with 1-1 instead of 1-0 to wales. Other than that great article. I never saw Ramsey as that sort of Carrick/Pirlo-esk player that he seemed to be able to do well tonight. Do you think it is a role he can prosper in rather than a more attack minded midfilder in the future?
He lacks stamina and physical power it seems – when those were his supposed strengths when he joined due to his Rugby background.
I’ll be very surprised if he plays a meaningful role next season and I don’t see how his lethargic performances can be attributed to tiredness when he hardly ever plays.
Ramsey is so overrated its actually laughable. He will never be the next Cesc Fabragas
Ramsey had a reasonably good game for Wales today, but no more than that.
He showed on a handful of occasions that he’s still learning his trade, as he gave the ball away unnecessarily in midfield – leading to dangerous opposition attacks – by trying to dribble with the ball when passing to a colleague in order to retain possession would have been the better option.
His decision making in that regard will hopefully improve as he gains more experience, and his coaches at Arsenal and Wales have quiet words in his ears about the same.
But he clearly has the potential to make a big name in the game if he develops well.
Paulinho; he trains. HE is young, and growing. It makes sense, maybe nog to a lazy git like you.
Magneto; he is basically the biggest CM talent in the world. Name a better one.
James; you are what we Dutch call a klootzak. Look it up.
He’s hardly overrated you say that after he plays a bit part all season and you watch 1 international. He will be top drawer
It’s a privelege for Wenger to have a team that will try him in a pressure environment without having to carry that kind of risk at Arsenal.
As for any of our other youth (especially the ones that blew it), much of what Ramsey can achieve is in his own hands.
@ J – Ramsey did look really bright today and at least in the first half was the best player on the field by some distance. But as MAGNETO noted, things easily could have turned out poorly for him as on several occasions he gave the ball away in front of his own goal by trying to dribble his marker or by making a careless pass.
He was also guilty of the ‘british disease’ of NOT completing a few easy five yard passes when he wasn’t under any significant pressure.
All in all good signs, but your report should mention his mistakes as well… Unless Diaby leaves in the summer, it looks like he could use a loan (maybe in the second half of the season to give him Carling Cup matches) to try and work out his decision making and increase his passing percentage – to do that he needs a run of first team football…
Cheers…
Its people like james that get right on my pits aaron ramsey is 18 for gods sakes. What is it with people wanting 18 nowdays to be complete players its a joke.
Dnt forget that the game comes at the end of a long season where a very young man has had to adapt to his new club.
He was also playing in a bad side 2nite so he would have to do more work than if he was playing with Fabrigas or Song/Denilson.
In this one year he has scored 3 goals for the first team, played a blinding match against england under 21’s where he scored a great goal.
He needs to build up his fitness, just like Walcott and Fabrigas before him had to. I think he will be a definate star of the futre and the people saying he is crap should get a life.
Wenger is the best judge of talent and dont forget Ramsay is only 18. (thats the same age as Lansbury and 1 year older than JET and Wilshire)
He is already better than Abu Diaby. and has nearly scored as many goals as Hleb did.
I think another thing people need to remember is not only is Aaron very young himself, but he has also played two internationals in an incredibly young international team. Set a team up like that and mistakes will always happen. The boy is a serious prospect and running central midfield at 18 in an international is incredibly rare.
J – one thing. I don’t understand what you say about his free kick. “From 25 yards out he tried to curl an effort over the wall but got too under the ball and only succeeded in hitting the 3 man shield in front.” I’m obviously reading it wrong because surely if he got too far under it he’d sky it rather than hit the wall unless he got so far under it he dollied it to them.
That said it’s always a pleasure mate.
Aaron ramsey will be a star. I just like to see Henri lansbury and aaron ramsey in the middle of our midfield next season. Henri Lansbury in my opinion is best english youth central midfielder. Ever since i saw him in the euro under 17 he was up there with the likes of hazard, kirkic as the best players in the tournament.
i agree… Aaron ramsey will be a BIG player. He is only 18 yet is already playing for his national team, played and scored in the Champions league. He will only get better training with cesc and arshavin. He is so good that the mugs down the road would be playing him week in week out.
Where was lampard at 18? Where was Gerrard at 18? No-where near ramsey’s level thats what!
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I can’t believe there are people on here trying to write off Ramsey already! The guy is 18 and has shown in flashes that he is a special player. The Fab was a feak in regards to how quickly he adapted to mens football and we shouldn’t expect every young player to come in and perform straight away. He had a shocker against Cardiff, which I think may have knocked him back, but I am certain he will be one of the best British players in the league.
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Every match in Arsenal he played looked just great IMO. He’s tenacious, can tackle, create and aggressive. When I look back previous season wasn’t best but I don’t think we need central midfielder. Song’s great, Diaby too but he was unfortunate becasue of injuries, Denilson who had really good season.
When Aaron gets a chance he wont waste it and I think can play regular like a first team player.
Every match in Arsenal he played looked just great IMO. He’s tenacious, can tackle, create and aggressive. When I look back previous season wasn’t best but I don’t think we need central midfielder. Song’s great, Diaby too but he was unfortunate becasue of injuries, Denilson who had really good season.
When Aaron gets a chance he wont waste it and I think can play regular like a first team player.
OH! You’re my new favorite blogger fyi
It’s his decision making and understanding of the team collective that will define him as he has got all the attributes. He reminds me of Andres Iniesta as he can dribble fantastically which also means he must improve his ball retention but the above factors are even more crucial.
He will be a fantastic player. Still 18 and consider Lampard’s late surge to a player of world class status.
i have special needs, and write spurious blogs about arsenal. Infact im a die-hard tottenham hotspur fan with a lot of issues
he will b a great player someday bcoz he have a talent..
When Aaron gets a chance he wont waste it and I think can play regular like a first team player.
yo les recomendaria que vieran el reportage del blog corea y mas
Nice report on a player that really does have a big opportunity to make it. Its probably worth mentioning that one of the reasons he looked knackered at the end was because he, like 6/7 others in the team, had been ill over the previous couple of nights.
Thomas Vermaelan has to agree personal terms and pass a medical then he will be signed for 11.4million on a four year deal. although im not sure he is what we are looking for his is the smallest defender we would have, but he has a very good aerial ability so hopefully he will show the gunners how good he is.
Замечательно! Спасибо!
Похожее есть что-нибудь?
Весь день в поиске.. Но лучше поздно, чем никогда! Спс.
Глубокоуважаемые, а можно оставлять комментарии непосредственно по теме, а не разную глупость типа Спасибо за статью и т.д.