Source: Team_Talk
Wenger puts his faith in Ramsey
The 18-year-old Wales international is set to be Arsenal's 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.[LNB]He netted a second 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]Wenger firmly believes Ramsey has the pedigree to make an impact at the highest level.[LNB]"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]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.[LNB]"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.[LNB]"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.[LNB]"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.[LNB]"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][LNB][LNB] Olympiacos v Arsenal 1st Goalscorer: Ramsey, A. 16/1
