Theoperator wrote:IIRC he was good for most of that season, apart of course from the inevitable AFC injury time out wasnt he
![Confused :?](./images/smilies/icon_confused.gif)
. It wasnt just his flick ons, it was the overall play, something we havent properly had for years- the decisive forward thrusts that only a gay woman thats going mental would understand old chap
![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
Right, time to come clean. In case you all hadn't noticed
![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
, I struggle a little with the idea of Ramsey as a Premiership footballer and ESPECIALLY, one who plays for The Arsenal. Having apparently pipped Utd to his signature (hmmm....from memory, we offered far more in wages than Ferguson was prepared to offer a 17 year old, but that's the Old Fraud's MO), I was instantly underwhelmed by what I saw from him. Even though young, he looked absolutely bang average, at best, to me. Prior to his leg break, I saw him put in one performance where I was impressed, which was a sixth game, dead rubber, in the CL group stage (Olympiakos I think). I seem to remember that we were assured of topping the group and Wenger put out a team of youngsters, who played very well and ought to have won the game, despite losing 1-0. Ramsey was the best player in the team that evening.
Other than that, he was always remarkably ordinary and I think had only played about 22 games before the horror leg break. In many respects and I hope nobody takes this the wrong way, that broken leg established the myth about Ramsey. He got, justifiably, enormous public and media sympathy and shortly before his return to action, I can recall a banner or two at the Emirates saying "Rambo is coming back", or something along those lines. I sat there thinking "So what, I'm glad he's recovered, but I'm less than enthused by his imminent return". The media, of course, heralded his return, as though he had been an all conquering hero.
Then followed two seasons where he was dire and when I say dire, I mean absolutely dire, fucking awful. Only the French clown would have persevered with someone so poor....as we know, he's one of Arsene's loyal, good boys. This was a guy playing centre mid, who would constantly slow a move down, who equally constantly gave the ball away, who couldn't / didn't tackle, who was a defensive nightmare and didn't score goals. Just what he was bringing to the party in the middle of the park, I've no idea.
Then we had his "good season". I will admit, that from September to December of that year, I couldn't believe how well he was playing. I remarked to the mate I sit with, who well knew my feelings about Ramsey, that I didn't think the guy had it in him to perform like that. So, cards on the table, three good months. He got injured in December and if I remember correctly, was out for at least 3 months. It may well have been April by the time he returned and when he did, it was the Ramsey of old....crap ! Of course, as players like he and Theo very often do, he scored the winner in the Cup Final and the myth was etched even deeper. He has, of course, been complete pony during the two and a half years since that final.
He's a media favourite and when he's about to come on as a sub, following a period out through injury, you'll hear remarks from TV commentators along the lines of, "Ramsey is about to come on, he'll help provide the goal threat Arsenal need" (I heard exactly that this season), which is absolute bollocks. Since that distant 3 months, his scoring record is abysmal for a supposed dangerous midfielder. He did of course, score the vital 90th minute 5th goal in our 5-0 defeat of Lincoln and from his reaction, you'd have thought he'd just secured his hat-trick in the CL final. Smashed the ball into the net on the goal line, then picked the ball up and punched it in the air with a huge, stupid smile on his boat race ! Smug fucking idiot. Anyone with an ounce of self-awareness and substance, would have kind of waved a hand in acknowledgement, but been aware that the 5th goal against an out-on-their-feet non league side, wasn't a lot to write home about.
Throughout all my years of following the team, there's usually a player in the first eleven (even in our top sides), that one doesn't rate. I can never scream abuse at the bloke, nor use the phrase "I hate so and so". I may think he's sub standard as a footballer, but the guy might be a thoroughly decent bloke for all I know and the fault that he's on the pitch lies with the manager who picks him, not the player. However, in the case of Aaron Ramsey, I am becoming sorely tempted to make an exception !!
So, my feelings laid bare. I feel quite a bit better now !