Aaron Ramsey is back after a long injury. The hamstring injury which he suffered on the opening day of the Premier League kept him out for around two months. He had a satisfactory last season and an outstanding Euros. Ramsey was one of the key members of the Wales team which reached the Semi Finals of the Euro 2016.

He was given an extended holiday by Wenger to blow off some steam from the gruelling Euros. As he came back into the first team, he suffered an injury setback.

Given the recent form Arsenal has been in, it would be difficult to find a spot for him in the playing eleven, unless Gunners injury crisis returns to haunt them again. Nevertheless, with his penchant for unlikely goals and talent, Wenger would look to find a position to adjust him into the playing eleven.

Central Midfield

Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin form a formidable partnership in the center of the pitch. Cazorla, given his technical ability, he has performed superbly, and is unlikely to lose his place. Cazorla needs support and license to roam forward given his creative ability on the ball. He is the creative maestro in the center of the park, an ability that was largely missing during the Middlesbrough.

Ramsey can fit in beside Cazorla but Wenger needs someone a little more defensive minded in the center to help protect the back four. Ramsey does not fit the bill in such a case.

A highly unlikely possibility is that Ramsey replaces Cazorla besides a more defensive minded player like Xhaka or Coquelin.

With this, one can rule out the possibility of Ramsey being the midfield anchor for the Gunners as long as Cazorla, Coquelin and Xhaka continue to perform.

Left Wing

Ramsey had played before in a similar left midfield/wing position and has done a pretty satisfactory job. However, the youngster, Alex Iwobi has done a far superior job this season in making the left-wing position his own. He is an academy graduate and has the faith of the boss.

Welbeck coming back from his injury early next year can also play in a similar position. And, if Giroud plays, Sanchez is likely to move back to his preferred position. So, even that is ruled out.

Right Wing

At the end of the 2014/15 season, Aaron Ramsey on the wide-right was showing real signs of success.

However, the right midfield/wing position is a bit unfamiliar position for Ramsey. Wenger has often spoken about how Ramsey gives the side balance when playing wide, but with Theo Walcott having upped his defensive output and almost making it to the score-sheet every time he enters the field this season, makes it difficult to displace him. But has a more realistic possibility of fitting in the position. The Welshman is going to have to work harder as and when the chances come on the right flank. Otherwise he faces a real struggle to muscle his way back in to the starting eleven week-in and week-out.

The Hole/Central Attacking Midfield

The most suitable position for Ramsey would be in a free role behind the main central striker. He has played in a similar position for Wales during the Euro 2016 and thrived. He likes to drift forward into the box and often finds himself with goal-scoring opportunities. His desire and eye for a goal makes him ideal for this position. Also, given his finishing ability, such a position would suit him.

Just one bit of a problem. His main competition for the position is none other than the “assist king” Mesut Ozil and as it has been seen in recent weeks he is no longer limited to assisting alone. Ozil’s  ability on the ball and to find players in the box makes him next to impossible to displace. He was in superb form last season making 19 league assist. He has not found the assist form of the last season but has been on good goal-scoring streak recently scoring some beautiful goals.

Where will Aaron Ramsey fit?

A talent like Ramsey is a waste on the bench. Wenger would surely be pondering hard on finding a place for him in the starting eleven. Ramsey’s best position is to stay at the center of the park and create those cheeky goals that led to Arsenal ending their trophy drought in 2014. Unfortunately for Ramsey, Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil have been very efficient this season and are unlikely to lose their spot in the pecking order. However, Francis Coquelin has been the defensive stalwart Arsenal had been missing and Ramsey’s defensive skills are not exactly up to challenge the Coquelin or Xhaka for that matter.

If Ramsey is put along with Cazorla, it leaves the defense a little unguarded. On the other hand, if he is put with either Coquelin or Xhaka it is the attacking creativity that will be held back a bit.

Aaron Ramsey’s return certainly boosts the Arsenal bench, but that is not the place he would want to stick in for long. He will have to make the best out of the opportunities he gets, and that began well in the Sunderland game. However, it remains of interest as to how it proceeds from there. 

Picture Courtesy: Standard.co.uk