Arsenal: Aaron Ramsey the missing man in form

Aaron Ramsey has been in excellent nick this season, culminating in a hat-trick last weekend against Everton. Did Arsenal miss him during the North London Derby?

For the last few years, Aaron Ramsey has failed to hit top gear. Injuries, dips in confidence, in and out of the team. They all have played their part. But, this year, he seems to have rediscovered his best.

Catch the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal podcast here

Maybe it was that game-winning goal against Chelsea in the FA Cup Final. Maybe it was the goal to end Arsenal’s nine-year trophy drought in 2014 against Hull City in the FA Cup. Maybe it was Wales’ remarkable Euro 2016 run. Whatever it is, it has inspired Ramsey to his best season in North London; whatever it is, it was sorely missed at Wembley on Saturday.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

With Ramsey out with a groin strain, Mohammed Elneny started in his place. Right from the off, you could see Elneny struggling to keep pace with the Spurs’ front three. Elneny was partnered with another struggling midfielder in Granit Xhaka, who, like his partner, suffered from a lack of mobility and general athleticism.

Thanks to an absence of creativity and forward-thinking, Arsenal struggled to get anything going. Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan were almost non-existent upfront, Jack Wilshere, for all his heart and determination, was left isolated and had to track back a lot more than he should have, and there was an overall lack of energy, drive and impetus from the midfield, in and out of possession.

When Ramsey was in the side against Everton, he provided that directness and mobility. He was dynamic on the ball, he burst through central areas, he made those characteristic late runs into the penalty area, offering the likes of Ozil and Mkhitaryan an out-ball.

Ramsey is the engine in midfield. He makes the game fluid; everything else around him flows better. When the Everton players were breaking forward, Ramsey was there to break up the play and take control of the situation; when Arsenal were sweeping through the pitch, it was Ramsey who was driving them.

Since Joining Arsenal in 2008, Ramsey has made 228 appearances for the Gunners. His work ethic and late runs are a staple of what he can do at any club. He will be an attractive prospect for many teams, even with his injury-prone nature — He has never made more than 30 Premier League starts.

Next: Arsenal Vs Spurs: 5 things we learned

It begs the question: Does he deserve a new contract? I think it is clear from the aimless, distracted, insipid performance against Spurs. Yes, he does, and it needs to come quickly.