Wenger - There is no better place for Ramsey

By Declan Taylor
 
Arsène Wenger believes that Aaron Ramsey’s decision to sign for Arsenal was an “easy” one for the Welshman.
 
After interest from a host of Premier League clubs in the summer, Ramsey signed for the Gunners from Cardiff City in mid-June.
 
A string of impressive performances for the Bluebirds, including a substitute appearance in last season’s FA Cup Final, saw the Caerphilly-born youngster labelled as one of the brightest midfield prospects in the country. As far as Wenger is concerned, Arsenal was his perfect destination.

“You look at the age of the players at Arsenal who play in the Champions League, the decision is easy to make for a player like Aaron,” the manager said at Friday’s pre-match press conference. “If you are good enough here you will play, no matter how old you are and this is what I wanted him to know.
 
“I told him that I will not buy five or six players ahead of him but I might buy one or two because we believe he has the potential to play for us instead.”

Ramsey has wasted no time in staking his claim for a first-team place since his arrival in N5. After making his Arsenal debut against FC Twente in August, the 17-year-old has appeared a further six times for the Gunners and scored his first goal for the Club in Arsenal’s 5-2 victory against Fenerbahce in October.
 
The midfielder put in an imperious performance in Wednesday’s Carling Cup tie with Wigan and Wenger is impressed with Ramsey’s ability to handle the big occasions.
 
“What I like is that he is not fazed like many of the young players,” he said. “It is one thing to have talent but it is another to express it under high pressure and that is very important. He is a very focused boy, very serious and he can fight.

“I believe he has something special. He has the work-rate, he has the spirit and he has good vision. He has all the physical and tactical ingredients to become a great midfielder. He still needs to develop his technique but he has what is needed to become a top-level player.”

[Friday, November 14, 2008]

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