Rising star Ramsey can hit Olympiakos 'where it hurts', claims boss Wenger

09 December 2009 10:00
Arsene Wenger is hoping Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey can hit Olympiakos 'where it hurts' in tonight's Champions League Group H clash.  [LNB] The 18-year-old Wales international is set to be the Gunners' main playmaker at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, with captain Cesc Fabregas one of several first-team regulars left behind as safe passage into the knockout stages has already been secured prior to the final group fixture.   [LNB]Ramsey has come a long way since joining Arsenal from Cardiff in the summer of 2008. He netted a second Barclays Premier League goal of the campaign in the 2-0 win over Stoke last weekend, while his European appearance record has already reached double figures.  [LNB] Main man: Ramsey is set for a leading role in the Champions League tonight[LNB] Wenger firmly believes Ramsey has the pedigree to make an impact at the highest level. 'Ramsey is just 18, but is quite ahead for his age because he already plays in the Wales national team and is at a top-level club,' said the Arsenal manager. [LNB]'He has spirit, and something that is very interesting, he is an efficient player, gets in the box at the right moment and is a penetrating player.   [LNB]'He is not a guy who goes right across the pitch - Ramsey goes where it hurts, and when he gets there, he is a good finisher.'[LNB]The average age of tonight's squad is 20 - and that has been raised by the inclusion of 32-year-old defender Mikael Silvestre, while fit-again England forward Theo Walcott and Cameroon midfielder Alex Song, who was suspended for Saturday's Barclays Premier League win over Stoke, also travelled to Athens.   [LNB] Penetrating player: Ramsey celebrates after scoring against Stoke[LNB]However, it is the inclusion of reserve-team captain Kyle Bartley, set to play at centre-half, as well as 18-year-olds Craig Eastmond, Luke Ayling and Tom Cruise - the left-back who has yet to make an Arsenal first-team appearance of any form, even in the Carling Cup - which will have left Wenger open to criticism.   [LNB]  Wenger is only interested in the London-born defender and not his Hollywood namesake. 'I do not care about headlines - for me, there is only one Tom Cruise, and it is the one who plays for Arsenal Football Club,' he said. 'I believe he is a very good footballer, but I would not like him to be under too much pressure.   [LNB]'If you are in his boots, you would not think for a second that you will play in the Champions League. So it is good for him and the others to get an opportunity in these games.'[LNB]Wenger, meanwhile, denied suggestions former Arsenal striker Dennis Bergkamp was set for an imminent return to the club. 'Dennis Bergkamp will be a very good coach, but at the moment, we have not looked for anybody,' said Wenger.  [LNB]'If one day we do, I will consider former players, but at the moment, we have not.'[LNB] Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger jumps to Andrey Arshavin's defence as Russians probe booze allegationsTop Guns! Youngster Tom Cruise set for Arsenal debut in trip to OlympiakosSol shock: Man United set for Campbell swoop to plug their injury-hit defenceARSENAL FC

Source: Daily_Mail