Ex-Arsenal man urges Gunners star to leave on loan

Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal. Photo: John Walton/EMPICS Sport

Tuesday, January 8, 2013
10:03 AM

Former Arsenal striker and current Wales assistant manager John Hartson believes Aaron Ramsey needs a spell on loan away from the Emirates.

Hartson thinks the 22-year-old Wales international would benefit from a run of games in his favoured central midfield position in order to rediscover his best form.

Ramsey has been played on the left wing by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger in recent weeks and has struggled to hold down a starting place, despite recently signing a new long-term contract.

“I just think he [Ramsey] needs that run of games,” Hartson told BBC Sport.

“Maybe if he did go out on loan [he’d get that], because he doesn’t seem to start many games at Arsenal now and when he does start he’s brought off and he doesn’t look happy.”

“I’m sure Arsene Wenger knows he’s a top-drawer player, because he wouldn’t have given him a new deal otherwise.”

Ramsey suffered a broken leg in February 2010 against Stoke City but Hartson thinks it’s important for the youngster to look to his future rather than dwell on the past.

“I don’t want to keep going on about it because I’m sure he [Ramsey] is fed up of people talking about his injury,” he continued.

“He’s been back now I think it’s about a year-and-a-half fit again and it’s just where his best position is because for us with Wales he’s central midfield.

“I don’t think playing on the left, wide left, is his position. [Against Swansea on Sunday] he looked lost at times.

“He did some very good things in the game but obviously Arsene Wenger didn’t think it was his greatest performance because he took him off.

“With Arsenal you look at their midfield. [Mikel] Arteta, [Jack] Wilshere, [Theo] Walcott, [Santi] Cazorla, [Alex] Oxlade-Chamberlain, they’ve got some really, really gifted players in the midfield,” said Hartson.

“So it’s up to Aaron to put in the performances week-in, week-out and on the training ground.”

“I just don’t think he’s quite hit the heights in terms of where he was before he got injured, but he will, I’m sure he will.

“He needs to play play with a smile on his face, get back to enjoying football. It just seems as if there’s something holding him back at the minute.”