Arsenal: There’s one obvious solution to Aaron Ramsey injury

Aaron Ramsey, according to Arsene Wenger, picked up a hamstring injury in the closing stages of Arsenal’s draw with Southampton on Sunday. Given their similarities in their play and production, there is one, obvious solution: Jack Wilshere.

Aaron Ramsey has been in terrific form for Arsenal this season. His direct involvement in nine goals — three goals and six assists — is an indication of that (goals and assists are far from the be all and end all, but they do offer a snapshot of a player’s attacking contribution). In fact, no player has more goals and assists than the Welshman in the Premier League, with only Alexandre Lacazette matching that tally.

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So it was disheartening to learn of a hamstring injury that he picked up in the closing stages of the underwhelming 1-1 draw with Southampton on Sunday. After the match, Arsene Wenger confirmed the injury in his press conference, though was hazy on a timescale of a return, stating that he did not know whether he would be available for Wednesday’s match against West Ham United.

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However, given that there are three days separating the two games, it would be extremely unlikely to see Ramsey play, especially given the fixture congestion at this time of year and the protection that Wenger would want to afford one of Arsenal’s most influential players for the season ahead. I, therefore, expect Ramsey to miss Wednesday’s game — he may make the bench.

And that leaves a somewhat substantial hole in the heart of the midfield. Because without Ramsey, Arsenal lack that driving, surging, mobile presence. Someone who can add purpose and intention to attacks, rather than partake in the aimless, blunt sideways passing that can often infect the Gunners’ attacking play.

There is one, obvious solution to the problem. It is one that has been talked about all year long. We have been patiently waiting for Wenger to make the personnel move. Many, myself included, thought that it would have happened before now. But it hasn’t. It’s time for Wenger to unleash Jack Wilshere.

Perhaps the reason why Wilshere has not yet started a league game this season is that, in the 3-4-3 shape that Wenger has implemented, there isn’t really room for him. In the Europa League and Carabao Cup fixtures, he has been fielded as a member of the front three, akin to Mesut Ozil’s role in the Premier League. Well, with Alexis Sanchez and Alexandre Lacazette making up that front three, it is difficult to see how Wilshere could ever start without an injury.

And in midfield, Ramsey was ever-present as the attack-minded, creative member of the pair, while Granit Xhaka anchored the side in front of the back three. The only position that Wilshere could have played in was Ramsey’s, and given his form, that was never likely to happen. So his potential absence opens the door for Wilshere.

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He is the only player in the Arsenal squad that can replicate Ramsey’s impact. He is the only one who can drive the midfield forward. He is the only one who can prod and probe with testing passes from midfield. He is the only one who can surge from deep. He is the only solution to Ramsey’s absence. It is absolutely obvious.