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Aaron Ramsey Is Arsenal’s Key To Defeating Tottenham Hotspur
By Josh Sippie
Arsenal face a midweek clash with Tottenham Hotspur and there are a lot of problems with this clash. First of all, it is the League Cup. It is not exactly a competition that top Premier League sides go all out for, but it cannot be one that Arsenal bails on from the get-go either.
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Normally Arsenal would be lined up against a lower-tier team. That would allow them the freedom to start some youth products and still have a fighting chance. However, with injuries and loans consuming the youth system, that plan becomes rather unlikely as well.
Arsenal need momentum and they need a win. It may just be the League Cup but it is a North London Derby. After losing in embarrassing fashion in Croatia and frustratingly at Stamford Bridge, this team needs to right the ship for the fourth time this season. They have to bring out the big guns and down Tottenham.
Which brings us to the biggest problem – injuries and suspensions. Santi Cazorla, Francis Coquelin, Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky are all hurt or suspended. In terms of the defensive part of the midfield, that leaves Mikel Arteta. Once the screaming has subsided, rest assured that that also leaves Aaron Ramsey. Aaron Ramsey has wanted that central midfield role since Cazorla took it from him. This is the perfect opportunity to prove that he deserves it.
Arsene Wenger does not have a choice. Unless he is going to give Krystian Bielik a shot or give Calum Chambers a forward role, Aaron Ramsey has to be given the holding midfield role. From there, the game essentially hinges on the Welshman. No question about it.
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Ramsey has the ability to win games all by himself. He has that Alexis magic, but not in the same dosage and not as easily accessible. Aaron Ramsey is going to have the most important role on the pitch. If he is paired next to Arteta, it will be up to him to fulfill the role of Francis Coquelin and part of Cazorla’s role as well. That is no easy feat, but if anyone can do it, and this is not going to be popular to say, but… Ramsey can.
Aaron Ramsey was responsible for Arsenal’s 2013/14 season. Who knows what we could have done last year if Ramsey would have stayed healthy and replicated that success. Many have given up hope that ‘old Ramsey’ is coming back to Arsenal, but we have already seen glimpses of it. And that is all from the right wing. What if we can harness old Ramsey in the central role? Suddenly Arsenal have two domineering forces in him and Le Coq.
Aaron Ramsey is a special player, it is just a matter of prolonging those special qualities for more than a game or two.
Next: Arsenal's Predicted Starting XI to Face Tottenham