Source: Team_Talk
Ramsey sets sights on first team
The Wales international may still only be 18, but he produced a composed display as the main playmaker for the young Gunners in their battling 1-0 Champions League defeat to Olympiacos in Athens on Wednesday night.[LNB]With qualification for the last 16 - where Arsenal could face Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan - already secure, Wenger named a side with an average age of just 21, the youngest ever in Europe's elite club competition.[LNB]In the absence of rested captain Cesc Fabregas, Ramsey was at the centre of Arsenal's attacking moves, and his efforts deserved better finishing from the wasteful Carlos Vela while the midfielder's own late close-range shot was cleared off the line.[LNB]Ramsey has certainly come a long way since joining as a raw talent from Cardiff in a £5million deal during June 2008 - making his debut in the Champions League qualifier at FC Twente two months later.[LNB]The teenager, however, is likely to be back warming the bench when Arsenal head to Liverpool on Sunday.[LNB]Yet with 18 appearances already - albeit 12 as a substitute and two goals in the Premier League - the young Welshman hopes this could be his breakthrough campaign.[LNB]"I am trying my hardest in games like this, to show what I can do," said Ramsey.[LNB]"I also work hard in training as well, so I am just concentrating on what I have to do and then it is up to the manager.[LNB]"I am learning every day, so it was the right move for me to join Arsenal - and opportunities like this are good for me and for the young players."[LNB]Ramsey added: "I am not sure whether it was my best performance, I just think it was a good all-round team performance.[LNB]"As midfielders that is what we are there to do, to make chances and passes for strikers and wide players.[LNB]"It is a good feeling when you do that.[LNB]"If they don't take the chance then the urge is to make another chance for them as quickly as possible."[LNB]Another hoping to be involved more regularly for the first-team is Poland keeper Lukasz Fabianski.[LNB]The 24-year-old said: "I want to put Manuel [Almunia] under as much pressure as possible.[LNB]"What else can you do? You have to work hard every time you have an opportunity to show what you can do.[LNB]"We will see what happens. I hope he will be happy with that competition."[LNB]Fabianski was part of the Arsenal team which played out an amazing 4-4 draw at Anfield last season, Russian Andrey Arshavin scoring all of the goals.[LNB]Defeat for either side would put a massive dent in their title ambitions.[LNB]"We are going to go there to win because Liverpool are not in a good period and we have to fight for the three points," Fabianski said.[LNB]"I am preparing to start that game as I do every time.[LNB]"I have started to play a bit more and, hopefully, I am going to get more games in the future.[LNB]"It has been frustrating for me, but all that is in the past and I am looking forward to the future."[LNB]Arsene Wenger ensured the headline writers had plenty of puns to play with in their pre-match coverage by announcing he would hand 18-year-old rookie left-back Tom Cruise his debut against Olympiacos.[LNB]The defender enjoyed the experience. He told Arsenal TV Online: "The manager told me just to enjoy it, and I thought I did quite well.[LNB]"It is not bad making your debut in the Champions League."[LNB]As for his famous Hollywood name sake, the youngster takes it all in good spirits.[LNB]Cruise said: "My mum phoned me and told me I was in all the papers.[LNB]"I have definitely had stick for it over the years.[LNB]"While I was here, all the staff keep on coming up with names of the films he has starred in, but I just take it on the chin."[LNB][LNB]
