Aaron Ramsey Can Win Arsenal the Title but he Cannot Lose it
By Josh Sippie
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When you think about the Arsenal attack, you think of Alexis, Olivier Giroud, Mesut Ozil and sprinkle in some Santi Cazorla. That is who Arsenal lean on to provide the chances and the goals. For the most part, those are the guys that are responsible for the majority of the offensive prowess of the team.
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On the other side, when you think about the Arsenal defense, you think about Petr Cech, the back four and Francis Coquelin. They are responsible for stifling the opposition and stopping the ball from going in the Arsenal net.
All 10 of these guys are relied upon for one thing or another. If they start to falter, it will be noticed and it will have to be answered for. But what about that 11th guy?
That 11th guy is Aaron Ramsey. Ramsey is like Arsenal’s glorious luxury. He is not a key piece to the attack. He is not a key piece to the defense. He has the creative license to pop up wherever he wants and Arsene Wenger has total faith in him. But as far as what he is required to bring to the team, there is no set answer. Arsenal do not rely on him. They do not lean on him for support. He may provide a pillar of support, but that pillar is a luxury. For that reason, when things don’t necessarily go Ramsey’s way, it is not like Arsenal crash and burn. However, when things do go Aaron Ramsey’s way, Arsenal go from a tiger to a shark. They have an added row of teeth.
In the 2013/14 season, Arsenal got off to one of their best starts in recent memory. They led the Premier League for a longer period than anyone else. It is no coincidence that that campaign was the best Aaron Ramsey had ever had. 16 goals and 10 assists (via WhoScored.com) is a stunning feat for a midfielder. Ramsey possesses the ability to pop up in pristine goal-scoring positions. He may not have an excess of pace, he may not be able to dribble circles around opponents, but he is creative talent. He can be a difference maker for this Arsenal club.
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And yet, at the same time, when things are not going right for Aaron Ramsey, the club plays on. Playing on the right wing, he is not central to Arsenal’s success. Again, he is like a luxury with the freedom to do as he pleases. There is very little pressure on Ramsey other than his desire to reclaim his central role. However, right wing may be better because of the unique situation it places him in.
That’s not to say that he can win it alone, though. While Ramsey does have the ability to change games all on his own, he still cannot do it alone. He is like a secret weapon. The guy that can change things that does not have a set place in the team.
Aaron Ramsey has the ability to drive Arsenal to the title but he does not have the responsibility to lose it. That is a unique and invaluable spot to be in.