FOOTBALL: 'Rampaging Ramsey Is Now World-class!'
Another big test, another big victory - Arsenal's critics have been watching and waiting for them to stumble and fall like so often before. Yet after beating Borussia Dortmund 1-0 at Signal Iduna Park on Wednesday night, the Gunners are beginning to look like the genuine article.
"Arsenal can win it," acknowledged Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp in the aftermath of the 2013 finalists' shock defeat before offering the caveat: "If they don't play Bayern Munich."
But is the toppling of another teutonic titan even beyond the rejuvenated north London team? The fact that Arsene Wenger's side sit five points clear in the Premier League and top of the 'Group of Death', of course, is in no small part due to the feel-good factor that £40 million club-record signing Mesut Ozil has brought. But the true testament to their growing maturity is that the German playmaker is not their standout performer.
With yet another valuable goal to cap a
memorable display, Aaron Ramsey can lay legitimate claims to being the
Premier League's top player so far this season - a scenario unthinkable
to even the most ardent of
Arsenal fans 12 months ago.
The Wales captain - awarded the club's player of the month award for the fourth time in a row on
Wednesday - is unrecognisable from the timid midfielder of yesteryear, during a career horribly stalled by a nasty leg break in 2010.
Ten goals in 17 appearances suggests this is finally his season to shine and, allied to his impressive passing, tackling and athleticism, Ramsey can now be considered one of the most dangerous box-to-box midfielders in world football.
Alongside the impeccable Welshman also stand the players like Olivier Giroud, Per Mertesacker and Tomas Rosicky, a trio few would have opted for with a title challenge in mind. However, all three have been simply inspirational during this campaign.
Giroud has found the form and confidence that persuaded Wenger to part with just under £10m last summer - and the France striker now offers the ideal blend of brains and brawn as the target man of a 4-2-3-1 system with goals to boot.
His assist for Ramsey against Dortmund typified his sense of awareness and bravery in leading the line so his team-mates could prosper - a perfect example of what Wenger labelled as a "very mature performance" by his side.
Arsenal fans 12 months ago.
The Wales captain - awarded the club's player of the month award for the fourth time in a row on
Wednesday - is unrecognisable from the timid midfielder of yesteryear, during a career horribly stalled by a nasty leg break in 2010.
Ten goals in 17 appearances suggests this is finally his season to shine and, allied to his impressive passing, tackling and athleticism, Ramsey can now be considered one of the most dangerous box-to-box midfielders in world football.
Alongside the impeccable Welshman also stand the players like Olivier Giroud, Per Mertesacker and Tomas Rosicky, a trio few would have opted for with a title challenge in mind. However, all three have been simply inspirational during this campaign.
Giroud has found the form and confidence that persuaded Wenger to part with just under £10m last summer - and the France striker now offers the ideal blend of brains and brawn as the target man of a 4-2-3-1 system with goals to boot.
His assist for Ramsey against Dortmund typified his sense of awareness and bravery in leading the line so his team-mates could prosper - a perfect example of what Wenger labelled as a "very mature performance" by his side.
