Injury Absence Has Highlighted Aaron Ramsey's Importance to Arsenal
Recovery has been Arsenal's theme over the season's third international break.
Arsene Wenger's side is slowly regaining its depth, and the fortnight hiatus—while disruptive for those with momentum—has provided crucial downtime.
As suggested by ESPN FC's Andrew Mangan, several beleaguered Gunners should return to face West Bromwich Albion on the weekend; one of the more important reported arrivals being Aaron Ramsey.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
The Welshman, making room for the in-form Mesut Ozil and veteran Santi Cazorla has been deployed by Wenger numerous times on the right wing this season. Not considered a natural winger, nor a converted winger, the decision turned heads.
One might suggest Arsenal's squad (lacking a healthy Danny Welbeck, Theo Walcott or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain) requires the central midfielder to play nearer the touchline, but even when one or some of those options are available, Ramsey's boots have been dusted with chalk.
Wenger has given Ozil the freedom to roam.
In seasons past, the Germany international has been found on the wing and eliminated from proceedings rather easily.
Not an exceptionally gifted athlete, nor one willing to track back, Ozil has a greater impact on matches in his preferred No. 10 role than when forced on the touchline.
Registering 10 assists from 11 Premier League matches, Ozil's performances (combined with domestic success) hint toward Wenger not switching to a 4-3-3 and keeping his World Cup-winning midfielder central.
This creates a slight issue elsewhere: There are not enough slots for central midfielders to go around, and with so many capable wingers on the treatment table, Wenger needs players with adaptability, something he receives from Ramsey.
When the 24-year-old is injured/suspended, though, options evaporate and lesser-known commodities from Arsenal's empire must be used.
Joel Campbell has become the largest benefactor from the north Londoners' recent bout with injury.
In the absence of his team-mates, the Costa Rican winger has finally received (after work permit issues and four successive seasons on loan) an opportunity to prove his worth in Arsenal's first-team.
The 23-year-old is a work in progress. His talent was evident during a decent spell with Olympiakos in 2013/14, likewise the 2014 World Cup. The more time Campbell spends at the Emirates, the more he will push for regular minutes—but his convincing the world to start above even an out-of-position Ramsey has not yet happened.
Since 2013/14, Ramsey is, arguably, the Premier League best young central midfielder—being directly responsible for 45 goals in 88 senior appearances. The Wales international has earned the right to start (even if slightly wider than he would prefer) despite recurring hamstring problems.
Adding to Wenger's rotation and providing much-needed options for a club seeking its first English crown in over 10 years, Ramsey's return should create another dimension to the Gunners' play.
How long he stays fit, however, is another issue altogether.
Returning is fantastic news, but re-injury would be a devastating setback, both in Arsenal's 2015/16 campaign and the Welshman's personal development and growth.
A world-class player exists within Ramsey, if only his body would cooperate in letting him out.
Update: Arsene Wenger announced, via Arsenal's official Twitter page, Aaron Ramsey will not feature vs. West Bromwich Albion.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase.com where not noted.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
