Three things we learned from Arsenal’s 3-2 victory over Manchester City

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Aaron Ramsey Thrives With Less Responsibility

Aaron Ramsey had a marvellous European Championship, and forced his way into the UEFA technical committee’s team of the tournament. In Wales’ 3-4-1-1 system, he was tasked with running forward to support Gareth Bale, safe in the knowledge he had Joe Allen and Joe Ledley behind him as insurance. Many have suggested he would benefit from a similar tactical liberation at Arsenal.

Yesterday he formed part of a midfield three, alongside Francis Coquelin and Granit Xhaka. Ramsey was the player who made runs past the striker, in this case Alexis Sanchez, and he looked remarkably sharp for his first game of preseason.

Ramsey and Sanchez looked a complementary partnership – the Chilean likes to drop deep to get himself on the ball, but Ramsey has the running power to ensure Arsenal keep opposition centre-backs occupied. The conundrum is that once Mesut Özil returns Ramsey is likely to play in deeper midfield role or out wide.

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Some people have suggested that Ramsey is a ‘No 10’, but that’s isn’t quite accurate. He prefers being the more offensive midfielder of a central trio, but he is not a ‘10’ in the traditional sense, like Silva or Özil. Those players are comfortable playing with their back to goal and on the half-turn; Ramsey needs to be facing the play and arriving on the scene later in the move, much in the style of Frank Lampard.

In 2013-14, Arsenal topped the table for 127 days with Ramsey playing in a midfield role alongside Özil, and the Gunners might have to recreate this balance.

Featured Image: All rights reserved by Emrah Partal