Arsene Wenger Hints at Key Role for Aaron Ramsey—Should He Gamble?

With the season opener against West Brom less than a month away, Arsene Wenger is facing the dilemma of who will partner Cesc Fabregas in the heart of the Arsenal midfield after the departures Mathieu Flamini and Gilberto Silva.

If you read into Friday’s reports, it looks like the answer could be the club’s first summer signing, Aaron Ramsey.

The Gunners fought off a host of Premier League clubs for the promising Cardiff City midfielder’s signature, with both Everton and Manchester United reported to be interested in signing the teen prodigy.

United had even released a statement on the club’s official website claiming that a deal had been struck to sign the versatile 17-year-old, who can play anywhere across the defence or midfield.

However, this wasn’t the case as Ramsey signed for Arsenal, citing the influence of Arsene Wenger as the key reason for him choosing The Gunners.

Cardiff City chairman Peter Risdale later revealed that Manchester United was the club’s preferred destination for the player. His reason was that the United had agreed that the midfielder would move back to the Championship club on loan for the following season.

However, Wenger insisted that if Ramsey were to sign, then he’d be a part of his first team plans for the season ahead. There is no doubt that the dangling carrot of Premier League football was what persuaded the player to move to North London.

As an Arsenal fan, I assumed that this meant that the player would face the usual task that every youngster at the club seems to face. This, of course, would be the chance to impress during matches in the Carling Cup, accompanied by a host of substitute appearances in the league and the occasional start in the early rounds of the F.A. Cup.

This would show that the player has what it takes to become a first-team regular. It’s a tried and tested method for Wenger, and over the past couple of seasons it has separated the men from the boys.

Taking this into account, it was a surprise to see Wenger’s comments, stating that Ramsey, who made his first team debut in the annual pre-season fixture at Barnet, is set for a key role in the Arsenal team this season.

Now, not to misquote Wenger—he hasn't said “Ramsey will start”—but Arsenal fans will ask if this is the right time to gamble with even more youngsters?

It has been well documented that Arsenal have now gone three seasons without a major trophy, with their last success being the F.A. Cup win in 2005.

After coming so close in the Premier League last season, the fans will now feel that this is the season for silverware, but again, Arsene Wenger’s faith in youth may hinder Arsenal’s chances to achieve this.

So with regards to his comments about Ramsey, should Arsenal fans be worried?

Last season, Flamini, whose name raised eyebrows when it appeared on the team sheet at the start of the season, was to partner Cesc Fabregas in the heart of Arsenal’s midfield.

Of course, fans thought that this was a short term measure, as the reliable Gilberto Silva was given extra time to recover after representing Brazil in the Copa America, but when Flamini managed to string together a number of impressive performances, the Brazilian had to settle for a place on the bench.

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