Arsenal: Aaron Ramsey Facing Crucial Matches Ahead

Arsenal have been rolling with Aaron Ramsey in his preferred position but is that all about to be shaken up? The Welshman may be on borrowed time.

It is entirely clear when Aaron Ramsey is at his best. Put him in the middle of the pitch and reap the rewards. Put him on the right and feel lukewarm about it. Ramsey is a central midfielder. His continual work ethic makes him a valuable commodity in the middle of the pitch, especially late in the game when everyone else is tiring but somehow, he is not.

That can get lost on the right wing. Especially considering he drifts to the middle anyway. Ramsey is not a winger. He does not have that pace or crossing ability. But he played the role while waiting for the position that should have rightfully been his.

The opportunity came in the form of Santi Cazorla’s injury. The Spaniard was ruled out until March and Ramsey grasped the role and proved, yet again, that he was just as good at the role as Santi Cazorla, if not better.

Statistically, there is no comparing. When playing that deep, central role, Ramsey has made 14 appearances, scoring three and assisting on four. Meanwhile, Santi Cazorla has made 17 appearances, scoring zero and assisting four.

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Looking deeper into the stats, Ramsey is more of a help defensively as well. 2.5 tackles and 2.0 interceptions are superior to Cazorla’s 1.8 and 1.8.

However, it is in the intangibles that Santi Cazorla has the upper hand. He offers more control. The best way to express that is in the amount of times he has been dispossessed and the times he has made a bad touch. Ramsey is dispossessed 2.5 times a game and makes 2.1 bad touches. Cazorla, meanwhile, is only dispossessed 1.4 times per match and makes just 0.9 bad touches.

That control is what many think has been lacking from Arsenal’s midfield. That midfield base has been a complete enigma all year. Between Flamini, Coquelin, Ramsey, Chambers and whoever else Wenger jimmies in there, there has been very little to rely upon.

That does not mean that Cazorla is the undisputed answer. Cazorla’s last three Arsenal matches before getting injured against Norwich were not exactly remarkable. He was starting to get exposed for the lack of physical capabilities he had, and in a dangerous part of the pitch.