Ramsey to Arsenal, but I'm not excited yet
Tuesday, 10 June 08, 09:39 AM · Comments(8)
Although Arsenal Football Club has made no official announcement, Cardiff chairman Peter Risdale has acknowledged that 17-year-old midfielder Aaron Ramsey is leaving the Bluebirds for the North London club.
Quoting Risdale on the Cardiff FC website: "Aaron did me the courtesy of ringing me to let me know his position. It’s a £5m deal - and on a straight cash basis it was the best option on the table." Risdale did express the club's preference that Ramsey move to Manchester Utd, who offered the player continue his education at Cardiff on loan for a further season, however, it appears that Arsene Wenger has won the chase.
Ramsey arrives well recommended - a template Wenger player, he currently plies his trade in central midfield where he possesses extraordinary positional sense, movement and passing range for someone of such tender years. Ramsey can also play wide right.
Am I excited about Ramsey? He's 17, so no - not really. I'll be excited when Arsene Wenger buys a top class centre back though. Arsenal already have the firepower to win every major competition, but not the composure to keep a clean sheet when they really need to - Ramsey won't change that, and neither would Ronaldo, Kaka or Messi. However, it's a long summer, and I remain optimistic that Wenger will make the right buys over the next 2 months.
In other news, Arsenal has confirmed that long-standing physio Gary Lewin will be departing the club this summer to take a full-time role coaching the England team. Lewin is undoubtedly the most highly-rated physio in England and it will be sad to see him go as he was part of the furniture having worked at the club for virtually his entire adult life.
Like this blog? Help spread the word: 
Personally, I think Arsenal are still a bit short in attack. Too often we found ourselves in games where we needed a goal and couldn't find it. We lacked the cut-and-thrust of the 01/02 and 03/04 teams and if we can find players that make up that extra goal in the 1-1's, then we'll be champions, regardless of new centreback signings.
no worries.. This homegrown situation won't get through the decision makers in EU. Discrimination between nationalities is not gonna fly with the basic of EU's principles.
Trust me, the quota system won't happen. No matter how much influence the UEFA and the FIFA presidents have.
Arsenal scored 1 more goal last season than they did in the unbeaten season - so for me goals are not a problem.
In March/April Arsenal took the lead against Chelsea and Man Utd, and would have been champions now if they could have held on to to those leads. Against Liverpool in both Champions league games Arsenal took the lead then panicked under pressure.
There will always be days when you can't break down 11 behind the ball, it happens to every team.
But I guarantee you Arsenal will not win another trophy with Gallas and Toure as a centre-back pairing, and much as though I admire him, Toure is the worse of the two.
Unfortunately, with Senderos, Hoyte and Traore as back up, Arsenal in a truly hopeless situation when there are key injuries.
How the hell can you say Toure is the worse compared to gallas?He was rock solid at the back for a huge percentage of the season.You must be having a laugh when you said that.
Doesn't Ramsey play on the left?
And think you find a statement on Cardif website from this morning that states he will play at the Emirates
Walcott,Vela and now Ramsey? Exciting times for Gooners.
8 Comments · Add yours
how will signing ramsey help arsenal fill a quota for english players? the lad is welsh
he is from the united kingdom and therefore comes within the realm of the rule