Cesc Fabregas MK II: Aaron Ramsey shows he can fill in for Arsenal captain

31 December 2009 20:14
Aaron Ramsey was barely 17 when he made his first start for Cardiff City in an FA Cup third round tie at non-League Chasetown but the 2,420 hardy souls present may have witnessed the start of something special.[LNB]Ramsey orchestrated the midfield and scored Cardiff's second as they came back to win 3-1 at the humble Scholars Ground, the first step on their journey to the FA Cup final at Wembley.[LNB]Two years on and the Wales international appears ready to make another step up the career ladder, this time graduating permanently into Arsenal's midfield at a time when Cesc Fabregas is injured and Alex Song is heading to the Africa Cup of Nations.[LNB] Best yet: Ramsay celebrates his wonderful solo effort against Portsmouth[LNB]A mature display and a beautiful solo goal at Portsmouth on Wednesday and the £5million Arsene Wenger paid to Cardiff already looks like another smart piece of transfer business by the manager. [LNB]For Ramsey, 2010 could prove to be a breakthrough year.[LNB]'I wouldn't be here if I didn't think I could fill them,' said Ramsey as he considered the prospect of stepping into the boots of Fabregas and Song as Wenger's quest for a first trophy in five years gathers momentum.[LNB]'It could be a big month for me. There have been injuries and I want to establish myself in the starting XI. [LNB]'I feel more comfortable attacking, getting forward and getting into the box but I've played the holding role against Wolves and I've played the holding role for Wales, so I'm more than confident playing there and think I can do a job there.[LNB] Youngster: Ramsay made his first senior start for Cardiff City in the FA Cup[LNB]'Hopefully with opportunities like this, I can show I'm more than capable of playing in Arsenal's starting XI. That's what I want to do, that's my target.[LNB]'I've improved as a player since coming to Arsenal. Training with world-class players every day and getting opportunities to play, I've improved. But I can still improve on some aspects of my game. [LNB]'Hopefully I can use this opportunity to really show what I can do.'[LNB]Wenger's praise for the teenager was surprisingly muted after the 4-1 win at Portsmouth, when Ramsey scored the third, stealing the ball from Hassan Yebda, sidestepping Frederic Piquionne and lashing in a 20-yarder with his left foot.[LNB]With his similar size, shape and poise on the ball, at a glance it could have been Fabregas patrolling the central areas of Fratton Park, punishing the opposition and sliding on his knees in celebration.[LNB]'He was very good,' was all Wenger said, when asked for his appraisal. [LNB]As far as the manager is concerned, it is time for Ramsey to step up and perform this way with consistency. Having turned 19, he can no longer consider himself a baby in this young squad.[LNB]'The goal was a good moment for me,' said Ramsey. 'I think the best in an Arsenal shirt so far but it wasn't about me, it was about the team. It was important to get three points and keep the pressure on.'[LNB]His emergence, together with the return to fitness of Abou Diaby, who signed a new four-year contract yesterday, and Song's development into a genuine holding midfielder have beefed up Wenger's midfield department, an area where his team have looked understaffed since Mathieu Flamini, Lassana Diarra and Gilberto Silva left.[LNB] Poise: Ramsey[LNB]Fit: Abou Diaby[LNB]Genuine: Alex Song[LNB] Song will be allowed to stay and play in the FA Cup third round at West Ham on Sunday before flying out to Angola on Monday to join the Cameroon squad for the Africa Cup of Nations and he expects Arsenal to continue their good form in his absence.[LNB]'I want to finish the job here and leave the team in a strong position when I go,' said Song. 'When I'm away in Africa, all the time I'll have my eyes here. I'll be looking all the time to see what Arsenal do because this is very important for me, the players and everyone at the club.[LNB]'I am confident that, when I go, we have the players who can do a very good job. We have the players who can play the same role. [LNB]'Denilson does this job very well, Abou as well. I am confident we have the squad. Every player wants to do something this year. We talk a lot. We have just one thing to do, to win every single game we play.'[LNB] Deserved: Song caps a superb display with a fine headed goal at Portsmouth[LNB]Arsenal are four points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea with a game in hand they will play it against Bolton on Wednesday and self belief is growing inside the camp.[LNB]'We can get it down to one point,' said Song. 'We are stronger this season. We have a young squad and we have good players. We know the season is long but I think Chelsea can draw and drop points again.[LNB]'We know we are in a strong position, we don't want to have any regret, to say we missed one game or two games. We know if we play like we did at Portsmouth that nobody can beat us.[LNB]'In the past we have missed too many points in the Christmas period, that's why we have learned. We lose against Chelsea but we see in the next game we manage well. Last year maybe we miss something. Now, when we make one mistake, we learn from the mistake.[LNB]'Everyone is just ready for the fight. This year is very important for us. Everyone is giving 100 per cent not to make the same mistakes as we did last year. [LNB]'We have managed the Christmas period very well. We now must give everything to make sure there are no regrets when the season finishes.'[LNB] Arsenal midfielder Diaby signs new long-term contract with high-flyersWenger signs a striker! 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Source: Daily_Mail