Why Ramsey deserves his chance

Why Ramsey deserves his chance

There was a huge battle to sign Ramsey from Cardiff in 2008. Manchester United were the front runners and used fellow Welshman Giggs and Gary Neville to try and convince the talented midfielder to sign for them. However, Arsenal flew Ramsey and his family in private jet to meet Arsene Wenger and we won the race to sign him.

Alex Ferguson was said to be furious to lose out on Aaron Ramsey, whose camp was unimpressed that the veteran manager did not want to cut short his holidays to finalise the deal.

Wenger gave Aaron his chance straight away. He included him in most squad sheets, introduced him as a sub in many games and eventually started him in crucial Premiership and Champions League games in the 2009-10.

Aaron Ramsey was impressing for Arsenal and his drive and vision in midfiled even had some people comparing him to Steven Gerrard.

And then came fellow Welshman Pulis and former Manchester United player Ryan Shawcross.  That day was probably one of my biggest disappointments as an Arsenal fan.

Not because of the injury – I accept that injuries are part of the game. But because of the sheer hatred and venom that was directed to our club by the media. I never understood how some sections of the media even called for Wenger to apologise to Shawcross, who broke Ramsey´s leg.

They got all offended when the dirty Frenchman “dared” to criticise the honest Englishman. It was disgusting how Pulis somehow managed to emerge as some sort of working-class hero in this.  The ensuring months of constant harassment of Arsene really opened my eyes as to the utter crassness of tabloids in this country.

It really made me think whether tabloids are ever to be believed anyway and I have vowed, despite my schedule as a lawyer, to regularly denounce the media´s disgusting treatment of Wenger on this website. To his credit, Arsene stood tall and backed Ramsey fully. 

Tomorrow, he deserves his chance at Old Trafford but I am fearful of Ferguson’s instructions  on him as “Sir” did not hesitate to congratulate his ex-player Shawcross for his “honest style” in the aftermath of the tackle. As we know, “Sir” is a very bitter and twisted man.

Ramsey also deserves his chance on footballing grounds. The three men ahead of him (Denilson, Diaby and Rosicky) have not been that impressive when given the chance.

I can understand that Diaby has had a stop and start career after he was also brutally assaulted at Sunderland when he was just 19. As for Rosicky, he was one of my favourite players ( remember the 2006 World Cup and the brilliance of 2008). It saddens me to see the way he plays today but that is what long-term absences can do to you.

As for Denilson, it is hard to work out how he has managed to appear in 150 games for the club so far. Let us be honest, he has never really been amazing despite having a promising start last season.

I think Aaaron deserves games now until the end of the season and we will benefit from it next season.