On the eve of Arsenal’s crucial home clash against Marseille in UEFA Champions League Group F play, Gunners coach Arsene Wenger praised Aaron Ramsey fortransforming into one of the club’s most important players. Ramsey’s goal in Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Borussia Dortmund on UCL Matchday 4 put the Gunners firmly in control of their owndestiny with two games still to play. The 22-year-old has 11 goals in all competitions so far this season.
When asked about his improvement, Wenger noted that barely a year ago, Arsenalfans’ criticism of Ramsey was so heated, the French tactician was forced to think twice about using him at the Emirates Stadium. “Let’s not forget that one year ago people were saying to me:’It’s difficult to play [Ramsey] at the Emirates,’” Wenger said. “But you have to give him credit for that transformation — the credit goes to him because he could deal with that. He could come back,never give up, convince everybody that he has the needed quality.”
He added: “You could see there was an impatience with him. As a manager you think: ‘Do I push him through and he can gomore down or do you give him a breather to regenerate to get him a fresh start?’ That’s always difficult for us to assess because it is linked to their mental state. When their confidence is down theyare in trouble. But he is a confident boy.”
That said, Wenger noted that the young Welshman still has plenty to learn. “He’s 22-years-old. I’m 64 and I still think I can improve so why shoulda guy who is 22 think he is at the top of his game. It’s impossible. If he has the right attitude, he will continue to improve.”