If you weren’t already aware of what Aaron Ramsey was capable of, his display against Dundee on Sunday gave us a glimpse into what we can expect over the next few months – if he keeps himself fit.
I’ll be honest, I’m not entirely sure what his strongest foot is having seen him play an array of passes with both feet, stroking the ball around with the inside and outside of his boot with consummate ease.
On Twitter, the excellent @PenaCartel created a couple of GIFs that perfectly highlighted where the 31-year old could be vital in Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s system.
The first clip shows Ramsey dropping into space in midfield before clipping a perfectly weighted pass – without even lifting his head up – to James Tavernier who he had received the ball off to start with, this move ended with the captain being fouled in the box and being awarded a penalty.
One of the biggest things about the CM who plays closer to the right side is their link up with Tav.
Arfield works well with Tav defensively, but with Jack back it’s not required as much.
The early signs of Ramsey and Tav as a duo look great in every area: pic.twitter.com/QJSHhChE4N
— Pena Cartel (@PenaCartel) March 16, 2022
There is nobody else in our squad, except maybe Ianis Hagi, that could play the initial pass behind the Dundee defence and this is what we sometimes need to get team’s like this turned and running towards their own goal.
The second clip is just a perfect example of the technical ability of Ramsey – who we are believed to have an option to buy cause on – on most occasions we would either lose possession or win a throw in but he maneuvers a situation that sees us break down the opposite flank.
— Pena Cartel (@PenaCartel) March 16, 2022
That he never looked flustered or lost control on a pitch that deteriorated throughout the 90 minutes tells you everything you need to know about what he could offer us, this is a player who – at his peak – was genuinely one of the best in the world.
What would you rather win?
Scottish Premiership title
Europa League
Cameos are no longer enough though and he needs to have this sort of influence every time he takes to the pitch, hopefully, his time in the stands is at an end and we get to see more of what he is really capable of.