Arsene Wenger has had some selection headaches in recent weeks since most of Arsenal’s earlier injured players returned to full fitness, and from the look of things, he would be spoilt for choices more when the others on the treatment table get back on their feet.
At the weekend, the Gunners lineup witnessed a change in the attack setup, with Alex Iwobi who has started every league game of the season making way for Aaron Ramsey.
Prior to the visit to Old Trafford, the Wales international had played just 3 league games due to injuries, having succumbed to a knock since the clash against Liverpool on matchday 1 in August.
Considering his quality and an excellent showing at the European Championships in France, Ramsey looked bound to stake a claim to a starting berth at the start of the season having seen injuries restrict him to bit-part roles last season, and when he was named in the lineup against the Red Devils, it was deemed a deserved inclusion.
But his performance in the match leaves little to be desired, and it raises concerns as to whether he should remain Wenger’s first choice for the left wing role on a permanent basis. Or even if he should be included regularly in the starting XI henceforth regardless of whatever role he is fielded in.
Against Manchester United, the 25-year-old played all 90 minutes and lost possession thrice within the first 45 minutes – more than any player on the pitch, and while the team generally underperformed all game, Ramsey couldn’t make an exception and inspire his side in any form.
For a player preferred to the young Iwobi, who has been brilliant but doesn’t boast of the same experience and repertoire as Ramsey, a much better performance was expected from him than what he put on display on Saturday afternoon.
The Welsh forward created no chances and didn’t attempt any shot at goal all through the game. He won just 1 of the 7 attempted tackles he made, while he didn’t succeed in the only dribble he attempted.
Ramsey was seen as a better option who would be able to come up tops against the power of Valencia on the wings, but the Ecuadorian was on holiday defensively, just like David De Gea was in goal until Giroud’s winner – the only shot Arsenal could muster all day.
Sanchez had to drop deep for a larger period of the game as he was starved of any type of services whatsoever from the wingers. Iwobi might just have done better in terms of carving out chances for the Chilean as he has done in recent games.
It took the combined efforts of Chamberlain and Giroud, both of whom came off the bench for Arsenal to grab a point from the game. Ramsey was nowhere to be found and did little to impress with the chance afforded him nor justify his inclusion.
It won’t come as a surprise if he is returned to the bench for the next league game, because if Saturday’s performance is anything to go by, the versatile player doesn’t look like one that can pull off the big jobs Wenger feels befits him.
Should he be the Frenchman’s first choice in subsequent games? The answer is no, and especially not on the left wing, which is unfortunately about the only spot he can have a chance to play in regularly at the moment.