The RAMSEY Effect

Back in February 2010 at the Britannia Stadium when one budding gunner was injured by a horrendous tackle from Ryan" not that kind of a guy" Shawcross, many feared for the worst. It reminded me of the unfortunate injury suffered by Eduardo in 2008. I feared that Ramsey might not come to his best. I was worried about losing yet another promising gunner, but this time it was to a horrendous tackle instead of a horrendous transfer saga.

He came back , he was cheered  and cherished unanimously by the gunners all over the world. He shook his rustiness off on loan at Cardiff and a few other loan spells at lower league clubs and came back to score an important goal against United and the consensus was that RAMSEY is back with a bang, But Gunners elsewhere were not so generous in their appraisal of Ramsey. In the age of instant gratification many started doubting if Ramsey is back at his best as in his absence one Jack Wilshere, lighted up the midfield at the Ashburton Grove. His performance were being touted as that of the next 'midfield maestro' especially after we were left short in the creative department by the transfers of Cesc and Ca$$hri. Ramsey was suddenly in the shadows of Jack even when Wilshere was on the treatment table for one month. The original signing to replace Cesc was replaced by a youth product from the famed Hale End Academy. Times were bleak for the young Welshman.
He was not helped by the death of his mentor Gary speed. Ramsey finished the season 2011/12 with 3 goals and 6 assists in 35(9) appearances.

In the preseason of 2012/13 campaign, Ramsey did perform well in the Olympics and was soon utilized in different roles by the gaffer at the start of the campaign. He was widely used in the right or left wing in order to give the newly assembled team more balance. The midfield was already packed with Diaby, Arteta and the little magician Cazorla. Wenger, once stated that deploying the Welshman in the wings as a way for Ramsey to use less space to control the ball. He was even deployed at the right back position a few times too. Ramsey, even said that he wants to play anywhere he can to be be useful to the team. But, certain section of Arsenal supporters were still not satisfied by his performances.  They always complained about him giving the ball away to the opponents. But that all changed as the season progressed and diaby and wilshere both getting struck by injuries, provided Ramsey with a lifeline to play in a position whree he could show his considerable strengths.
He provided solid displays against Everton Away, West Ham Home, Everton Home, Wigan Home, he was so influential that he was named the player of the month in April 2013.

Players	App	G	A	Tackles	Int	Fouls	KP	Disp	PA	TB
Ramsey	25(18)	2	2	85	54	56	47	49	87.1	0.52
Wilshere	23(5)	1	4	39	32	24	51	38	85.8	0.25
Arteta	41(0)	6	4	129	115	96	28	27	91.4	0.40
Diaby	11(1)	0	0	21	25	10	15	26	85	0.00
Cazorla	44(1)	12	12	84	83	21	105	80	86.5	0.41

 From the above table we can find out that Ramsey is more effective than Wilshere at the central midfield role. He has made 85 tackles as compared to 39 tackles of Wilshere having played 15 matches more. In those extra 15 matches mostly as substitutes he still managed to make more than twice the number of tackles Wilshere made. He scores highly even on the Interceptions. He was dispossed lesser time in a match  than wilshere.  He hasa  better passing accuracy and a better vision, as he has played more accurate through balls than Wilshere did. I dont want to say that wilshere is crap because logically its difficult to even out the minutes played between the two hence maybe a  couple of good games from Wilshere would put his stats in a better position but i want to higlight the fact that he doesn't get as many times dispossessed as people might think he does. All in all Ramsey has shown that he can handle himself in the central midfield position as well as Wilshere or maybe even better at times. I see Wilshere playing in a more advanced role next season as Arteta and Ramsey have proven to be an effective pairing in the center of the midfield. His effortless energy and selfless desire makes him a very important cog int he wheels of fortune for Arsenal.
Having signed a new long term contract and having solid displays in last few months Ramsey has laid a foundation to have a rocking season in 2013-14. Maybe the healthy competition between Wilshere and Ramsey could bode well for our riches in the midfield department and provide us a chance to dust off the trophy cabinet after 8 years of drought.