Arsenal: Aaron Ramsey acclimation an unfamiliar luxury

Arsenal have been slow to work Aaron Ramsey back into the starting XI, but that has nothing to do with want or need. This is a luxury we’ve never had before.

Arsenal unlocked the true Aaron Ramsey with the switch to the three-at-the-back last season and going into the current year, he was one of the primary contributors. He completed the diamond that was an incredibly effective front three that has since broken up.

And, while it broke up, Ramsey found himself on the mend with another hamstring issue. Likewise, while on the mend, Jack Wilshere has emerged as a necessity in the starting XI and Granit Xhaka continues to assert his authority.

Meaning that, while Ramsey was such a crucial piece of the early success, he has not been able to find his way back into the starting since returning.

Which has absolutely nothing to do with moving on or a lack of quality. It does, however, have everything to do with this new luxury that is being afforded Arsenal called “not risking him injuring himself again.”

Ramsey has had hamstring issues his entire career, and it always seems like he gets hurt long-term after returning from a shorter-term injury. As in, the type of injury he has just returned from.

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Which is why he has not been thrown directly into the starting XI, as he would have done in the past and, thankfully, the Gunners are not in a position of desperation where they need to do so. Instead, they can keep allowing Wilshere to do his think and Xhaka to do his while Mohamed Elneny puts in shifts of reliability in the midfield.

That way, Ramsey can work his way back in on his own time, and in a safe manner, so that when he is back, he is re`ally back and we don’t have to hold our breath every time he breaks into a sprint.

With three goals and six assists, Ramsey is behind just Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil in direct goal contributions, and this is despite missing months due to his current issue. It’s a shame to think what he could be at now (I’m thinking Super Rambo days) but would be even more of a shame to see him out longer.

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This is a smart decision by Arsene Wenger, but it has to be said that he wouldn’t have this luxury if the rest of the midfield hadn’t stepped up in in the Welshman’s absence. It always gives us something to look forward to, thinking of a dynamic midfield with Xhaka, Ramsey and Wilshere.