Aaron Ramsey’s Healthy Distraction

According to the Daily Star, Aaron Ramsey has claimed that playing for Wales has helped him cope with Arsenal’s disastrous start to the season.

The 20-year-old midfielder is set to captain Wales in their 2012 European Champion qualifier versus Switzerland at Liberty Stadium.

Arsenal’s slow start to the new season has left Ramsey rather frustrated and rightfully so. Some time away from the club may be just what the Welshman needs at the moment.

Arsenal fans will be hopeful that Ramsey can return to the Gunners recharged and ready to make a strong push for fourth place.

“It has been a  difficult time for my club. It’s been quite frustrating so far with the problems that have been happening,” said Ramsey.

“At the moment Arsenal are under a lot of pressure. We have not produced the results we are capable of.

“That has surprised people in a way, although I am sure it will turn around soon.

“Arsenal are one of the top clubs in England and where we are at the moment is not acceptable. We have to turn it around pretty quickly.

“Does that make it easier to play for Wales because there is not the same pressure? Absolutely.

“As a team we are still  learning and progressing and that is going nicely.”

Despite Arsenal’s struggles, Ramsey feels as if he has turned in some solid performances this season. To be fair, he’s right. The back four has been the Gunners biggest weakness thus far, especially since Thomas Vermaelen has been sidelined due to injury.

Ramsey continued, “I feel good in  myself. I feel like I have produced some performances so far this season and just maybe need to be a bit more consistent throughout games.”

The 20-year-old also commented on the goal he scored against Spurs last weekend.

“It was inside the six-yard box and I should  be looking to get in those  positions more where you can get chances to score.

“I’m hoping that will be the start of more like it for both Arsenal and Wales.”

As an attacking midfielder, Ramsey should find himself in good goal-scoring areas. Again, to be fair to Ramsey I’ll play the devil’s advocate.

Arsene Wenger has been forced to play Ramsey in a more holding role at times this season, whereas his natural position is playing in between the striker — Robin van Persie — and the central midfielder — Alex Song.

Lack of Spending at the Emirates

Despite Arsensal’s lack of depth at the moment, chief executive Ivan Gazidis has said that spending money is not the answer. I beg to differ. After losing Nasri and Fabregas, Arsenal needed to spend big money on big players this summer and they failed to do so.

Nonetheless, Gazidis disagrees:

“Every club has the temptation to think that money is the answer, and if only we spent a little bit more it would push us over the top of a curve.

“That is what drives spending in the game but it is by no means always successful. It relieves pressure for a while, but it actually builds long-term pressure in other ways.

“We will continue to act with discipline to make sure we have a good short- and long-term future.”