Returning Ramsey can’t wait for next season
ARSENAL midfielder Aaron Ramsey has vowed to come back better than ever next season after finally putting his injury nightmare behind with the winning goal in Sunday’s win over Manchester United.
It took nine months out of the game and loan spells at Nottingham Forest and Cardiff before the 20-year-old Wales captain, who suffered a double leg fracture following a tackle from Stoke City’s Ryan Shawcross, was considered ready for a return to competitive action with Arsenal.
Ramsey, whose only other Premier League appearance this season came against West Brom in March, capped a fine individual display with an emotional goal which he hopes will act as a springboard to success and a regular place in Arsenal’s first team.
“After these remaining games, hopefully I can come back and have a good pre-season, and then go again next year,” he said.
“Scoring the goal was definitely a special moment for me. This was worth the wait and so many people have helped me through the tough time I had in my career. Hopefully this will give them the same satisfaction as it does me.”
Ramsey’s (right) match-winning contribution may have prolonged the race for the title, with Chelsea now within striking distance of United, but victory over the current leaders came a little too late for Arsenal in their bid to capture the Premier League for the first time since 2004. And Ramsey insists his side’s attention is now on third place and automatic entry into the Champions League.
“Our target was just to win the remaining games, so we have started on that,” he said.
“Hopefully now we can continue this and let’s see where that takes us.”
CAREER LANDMARKS | AARON RAMSEY
Apr 2007: Becomes Cardiff’s youngest every player at 16 years and 124 days
June 2008: Signs for Arsenal for £5m
Nov 2008: Makes full international debut for Wales
Feb 2010: Suffers double leg fracture against Stoke
Mar 2011: Makes his Arsenal comeback as a substitute in FA Cup fifth round defeat against Manchester United