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'Reaping the rewards of faith in Ramsey'

By Josh Sippie

Arsenal and Aaron Ramsey had a bit of a schism developing, but the Welshman’s consistency in the midfield is now returning. So rejoice!

Francis Coquelin’s return to health did not upset Arsene Wenger’s starting XI. He still went with Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey and while the red card to Xhaka was disastrous, I still believe that the Ramsey-Xhaka partnership is the way to go forward.

Mainly because Aaron Ramsey was amazing on Sunday. And I have no hesitations in stating that.

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This first appeared on Pain In The Arsenal

Pain In The Arsenal

After the echoing cries of not wanting to be used out wide, I had thought Ramsey would be sold this summer. It just felt like he didn't have anywhere to go and Wenger wasn’t willing to invest the patience in him that he once was.

But fortune stepped in (and continues to do so) and gave Ramsey several matches to get back into the swing of things in the centre of the pitch. Initially, it failed. Aside from his goal against Preston, there wasn't much to speak of.

However, Wenger stuck with him - mainly because he had to - and for that last half hour against Swansea City, it started to look like he was getting it.

Well, against Burnley, he got it.

Ramsey was the commander in the centre of the pitch. He was the only Gunner to register triple-digit touches and he made the most of them, completing 91 per cent of his passes, creating two chances and completing more dribbles than not.

It was a display like we had seen him put forward in the Euros. Ramsey wanted this game to be his and it worked. He was confident on the ball, delivered workable crosses and put himself in dangerous positions. Just like the old Ramsey.

I can still picture his run into the box and the ball from Alexis that was ticketed for the Welshman's forehead. Only Olivier Giroud got in the way.

With Xhaka set to serve his suspension and likely sit a few games, this extended time with Ramsey is going to be a blessing. With so few midfield options, even if Wenger for whatever reason wanted to, he would not be able to drop the Welshman.

The more he can put up performances like what we saw against Burnley, the less imperative it is that we go breaking the bank for a Cazorla replacement.

And I have to imagine Wenger is in favour of that.

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