Arsene Wenger admits that Aaron Ramsey's ability to time his runs into the box to maximum effect reminds him of Frank Lampard.
The Wales international is back in full training after three months on the sidelines with a thigh injury.
The 23-year-old enjoyed a stellar first half of the season, scoring 13 goals in 27 games before sustaining a problem on Boxing Day at West Ham United. Wenger believes that without the injury, he would be a major contender for PFA Player of the Year.
"The number of goals he has scored is tremendous for a midfielder. He turns up in the box and he is a bit ‘Lampardish’"
Arsene Wenger
“Yes [he would be] because of his consistency of performance, and the efficiency of his performances as well,” the manager said.
“The number of goals he has scored is tremendous for a midfielder. He turns up in the box and he is a bit ‘Lampardish’. He gets in the box at the right moment.
“He is cooler in his finishing now. Before, he always rushed his final ball and he was a bit nervous.”
Wenger says Ramsey is unlikely to start Sunday’s game at Everton, but is confident he will soon return to his very best form.
"You are always worried, but for him no, because he’s young and he did it in a consistent way,” he said. “In training you see him in situations where he can score, and he repeats what he did before.
“I expect him to improve on the defensive side of his game, on the technical side of his game - there is room for improvement. He has good vision, a good long ball, I think there is a lot more to come from him.
“Let’s not forget that he is where he is, and he lost over a year [previously].”
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