Aaron Ramsey must seek out a loan move away from Arsenal in order to regain his confidence and ability, according to former Gunner John Hartson.
The 22-year-old midfielder has struggled to get games for The Gunners since suffering a broken leg against Stoke City three years ago and looks to be out-of-favour with Arsene Wenger at present, with some Arsenal fans expressing their displeasure at his performances this season.
The Welsh international is behind Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla, even the returning Abou Diaby, and has been limited to cameo roles or been played out of position in the past two seasons.
And Hartson believes Ramsey needs to play week in, week out if he wants to reignite his Arsenal career, even if it means going out on loan.
The Wales assistant manager said:
‘I just think Aaron needs that run of games.
‘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.
‘Arsene Wenger knows he’s a top-drawer player, because he wouldn’t have given him a new deal otherwise.
‘With Arsenal you look at their midfield. In Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, they’ve got some really, really gifted players.
‘So it’s up to Aaron to put in the performances when he plays and on the training ground.’
He added:
‘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 and get back to enjoying football.
‘It just seems as if there’s something holding him back at the minute.’
There is definitely something wrong with Ramsey – perhaps it is a lack of confidence as Hartson states.
I personally don’t think he has got over his injury yet, he looks scared to get stuck in which is understandable. I too broke my leg (both the tibia and fibula bones) when I was 13 and I was worried about putting in a tackle or receiving one, so I know what he is going through. Having said that, I eventually got over it and Ramsey needs to as well if he wants to become a great player in the future.
I think he has a lot to learn still, but he has the ability to succeed. But this is tough to achieve when you are overlooked and out-of-favour with your manager.
The Welsh midfielder needs to either work harder on the training ground and impress Wenger and the fans when he gets his chance in the first-team, or look to seal a loan deal away from The Emirates, regain his form and confidence, and come back at the start of next season’s campaign hungrier than ever.
Personally, if I was Ramsey, I would choose the latter option, especially if I wasn’t playing week in, week out.
Like what you read? Then follow me on Twitter – http://twitter.com/Gunnersphere
Visit and Join our Facebook page, click HERE to do so.
Gunnersphere is currently looking for new writers to join the squad. Contact via twitter or at Gunnersphere@snack-media.com for further details.
I agree its psychological thing to do with his broken leg. He may get over it but if he doesn’t then we have to let him go because at his best he is an awsome player but at the moment he is playing like an average player
Eboue has a long injury lay-off and gets violently booed off the pitch before the 1st half-whistle by the Arsenal faithful.
Ramsey plays like crap for 18 straight months and still fans are going on about “…give him time, give him time…”, “…he’s still recovering”.
The hypocrisy is beyond mind-boggling!