Aaron Ramsey has been one of the standout performers for Arsenal this season and his goalscoring exploits have endeared him to the fans. When he’s not scoring, he’s on the pitch giving a 110 percent for his side with his energy, work rate, tackles and of course, his neat passing range.
With his indispensable status in the team, Ramsey has featured heavily for the Gunners this season and these run of games have taken their toll on the Welshman as he pulled up short in the game against West Ham and he signified the bench that his time on the pitch was up. Arsene Wenger brought on Lukas Podolski in his stead and the rest they say was history.
In his post-match conference, Wenger was asked about the extent of Ramsey’s injury,
“It looks [serious]. It looks like a thigh strain. I don’t know how serious the thigh strain is but the Christmas period certainly is over for him. It was his birthday today.”
This means that Ramsey is likely to miss the crucial Premier League clashes against Newcastle and Cardiff. He may also miss the FA Cup third round North London Derby clash which would make him gutted because the game against Tottenham has an extra incentive, feeling and atmosphere about it.
According to the PhysioRoom.com, a player with grade one thigh strains should be rested from any sporting activity for about three weeks, and grade two thigh strains for about four to six weeks. In the case of a complete rupture, the thigh muscle will have to be repaired surgically and the rehabilitation afterwards will take about three months.
Ramsey is a player that could actually do with some rest, so that he can recharge his batteries and come back stronger and refreshed.
Santi Cazorla is a player that has been eased into action following an ankle injury but the manager chose to rest him in the crucial games against Manchester City and Chelsea. When he took to the pitch against West Ham, he became a beast of a player when he went to the No. 10 role alongside Mesut Ozil and was directly involved in Walcott’s first goal.
Ramsey’s stats this season (via WhoScored) have been jaw-dropping to say the least,
| STATS (EPL Only) |
Aaron Ramsey |
| Appearances (Subs) |
17 (1) |
| Goals Scored |
8 |
| Assists |
6 |
| Overall shots (Shots per Game) |
40 (2.2) |
| Bookings (Yellow / Red) |
2 / 0 |
| Total Tackles (Tackles per Game) |
66 (3.7) |
| Total Interceptions (Interceptions per Game) |
19 (1.1) |
| Total Fouls Committed (Fouls per Game) |
27 (1.5) |
| Dribbles (Attempted/Per Game) |
27 (1.5) |
| Total Passes (Accurate Passes) |
1262 (1064) |
| Pass Completion % |
84.3 |
| Total Long Balls (Accurate) |
89 (62) |
| Total Through Balls (Accurate) |
23 (7) |
To lose a player with such amazing stats to injury is heartbreaking but Arsenal is a team with sufficient depth to cover for his absence. With the game against Newcastle coming up next, Wenger can opt for a more defensive approach with Mikel Arteta playing alongside Mathieu Flamini.
When Flamini plays in tandem with Arteta in the heart of Arsenal’s midfield, there’s this solidity they bring to the team and they offer a lot of protection to the rearguard. They are both seasoned veterans and their experience and discipline are always on show when they take to the pitch.
This season, Flamini has proved to the fans that some of the best things in life are free. His arrival mitigated a short-term challenge at the club, as Arsenal was desperately in need of cover in central midfield following the injury suffered by Mikel Arteta. In his second debut as a first half substitute for Jack Wilshere in the North London Derby, Flamini made his presence felt and he has been very vocal, directing his teammates and he has been willing to put his body on the line for his team.
He has offered some steel in midfield and his presence and influence have been hugely felt in the games he has played so far.
According to WhoScored, listed below are Mathieu Flamini’s stats this season,
|
Premier League |
Champions League |
|
| Appearances (subs) |
9 (4) |
4 |
| Tackles made (per game) |
19 (1.5) |
9 (2.3) |
| Interceptions made (per game) |
16 (1.2) |
12 (3) |
| Fouls committed (per game) |
12 (0.9) |
5 (1.3) |
| Clearances (per game) |
20 (1.5) |
6 (1.5) |
| Blocked shots (per game) |
4 (0.1) |
3 (0.1) |
| Total Passes (accurate passes) |
507 (435) |
294 (264) |
| Pass Completion percentage |
91.7% |
89.8% |
| Bookings (Yellow/Red) |
(5/0) |
– |
Flamini stats this season have shown how he has been an asset to the team in the games he has played thus far. When he’s not with the ball, he keeps barking instructions to his teammates, putting them on track. His passing range is very impressive too, and from the tackles, interceptions, clearances and blocked shots, you’d know he’s the real deal as an anchor man.
Wenger can also opt to bring on Jack Wilshere to play his favored box-to-box position where he made his breakthrough in the 2010/11 campaign.
This season, the acquisition of Mesut Ozil and the emergence of Aaron Ramsey has seen Wilshere drafted to the wings and he hasn’t been too effective, even though he has scored four goals in 17 appearances – his highest goalscoring tally in Arsenal colors.
Bringing Wilshere to the middle of the park alongside Arteta would see the maestro make those trademark lung-bursting runs and he’s be seeking to create something out of nothing for his team, which will be beneficial to the team’s cause as each game progresses.
Wilshere has dominated the back pages for his off the pitch shenanigans but it’s high time he earns plaudits for his performances on it.
Sayonara.
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