Football Player's Biography 7: Aaron Ramsey

Full name	Aaron James Ramsey
Date of birth	26 December 1990 (1990-12-26) (age 20)
Place of birth	Caerphilly, Wales
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing position	Central midfielder

Aaron James Ramsey (born 26 December 1990)^[1] is a Welsh professional footballer, who captains the Wales national football team and plays for Arsenal F.C. as a central midfielder. A box-to-box midfielder with a creative edge, he can also play as a winger and at fullback.
Ramsey played for Cardiff City as a schoolboy where he spent eight years in youth football before making appearances for the senior team 16 times. Ramsey then moved to Arsenal in 2008, where he soon became an important player in the squad. However, his career was hampered after suffering a broken leg, caused by a challenge by Stoke City's Ryan Shawcross in the 2010 season. Ramsey recovered and has played since then for the Arsenal reserve team, before being loaned to Nottingham Forest until early January 2011 and then loaned again to his first club Cardiff City until February 2011 to gain match fitness, before returning to Arsenal. On the 12 March Ramsey came on as a substitute for Vassiriki Diaby against Man Utd at 72 minutes Arsenal lost the match 2-0. He made his first start since the injury on the 19th of March against West Bromwich Albion he was substituted at 56 minutes for Nicklas Bendtner

Career

Cardiff City

After impressing in an Urdd tournament as a youngster he signed for Cardiff City, who beat off competition from Newcastle United, as a schoolboy at the age of eight, working his way through the club's youth system. After a few more years he eventually made his Cardiff City debut in the last home game of the 2006–07 Championship season, coming on to replace Paul Parry in the final minute of the 1–0 defeat to Hull City on 28 April 2007. In doing so, Ramsey became the youngest player to ever play for Cardiff City, aged just 16 years and 124 days,^[2] beating the previous record holder John Toshack. In June 2007, Cardiff City turned down a bid of over £1m for Ramsey from a London-based Premier League club.^[3] The club was not named, but it was widely believed that they continued to watch Ramsey at every available opportunity during the 2007–08 season. Cardiff also turned down a £1m offer, although the deal was to start with a payment of £200,000 and rise depending on his future achievements, from Everton.
"Rambo", as he is known to Cardiff City fans, made his first league appearance of the 2007–08 season on 6 October, when he came on as a late substitute for Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in the 2–1 home win over Burnley. Ramsey signed his first professional contract in December 2007^[4] and went on to make his first full professional start for Cardiff on 5 January in the FA Cup against Chasetown replacing the suspended Stephen McPhail. An impressive performance from Ramsey saw him head in the second Cardiff goal as they went on to win 3–1.^[5] Due to his performance against Chasetown, Ramsey was nominated for the Player of the Round award, eventually losing out to Coventry's Michael Mifsud.^[6] On 26 April, he scored his first league goal in a 3–3 draw against Burnley.^[7] He went on to make his first career league start three weeks later in a 3–1 win over Queens Park Rangers and began to establish himself in the first team making several more starts in the Cardiff side. He made a total of 22 appearances during the season, his first full season of professional football, and played in five of the club's six FA Cup matches, including the final, becoming the second youngest player to play in an FA cup final after Curtis Weston, who played in the 2004 FA Cup Final for Millwall.^[8]
Following Ramsey's impressive performance in the 2–0 FA Cup quarter-final win over Middlesbrough it was revealed that Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had talked to Cardiff boss Dave Jones to inquire about Ramsey, who were later joined by Arsenal and Everton in following his progress.^[9] Ramsey grew up a Manchester United fan as he looked up to fellow Welshman Ryan Giggs as well as Roy Keane. Cardiff Chairman Peter Ridsdale told the BBC that Arsenal's bid of £5 million up front had been accepted. Arsenal's bid did not include a loan clause that would allow Ramsey to stay at Cardiff for another season.^[10] Cardiff City assistant manager and former Arsenal player and coach Terry Burton, who was credited for having brought through Ramsey, also helped recommend him to Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger, having retained a longstanding connection to the club.^[11] During the transfer negotiations, Burton also advised that Ramsey join Arsenal, citing the similarity between the player and the club's overall style of play.^[11]

Arsenal

2008–09 season

On 10 June 2008 it was confirmed that after meeting officials from Arsenal, Manchester United and Everton, Ramsey had decided to join Arsenal, who paid Cardiff City a total of £4.8 million for the player.^[12] The move was completed on 13 June 2008 on what is said to be a long-term contract. The main reason he chose Arsenal ahead of the other clubs that pursued his signature was the approach of Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger, who flew him and his family to Switzerland to talk about the plans Wenger had for him and his potential future with Arsenal.^[13] Wenger described Ramsey as "a player with a fantastic engine, good build, good technique and good vision".^[14]
Ramsey made his competitive debut for Arsenal in the Champions League Third Qualifying Round against FC Twente on 13 August 2008 and his league debut a month later against Blackburn Rovers on 13 September 2008, marking it with an assist to Emmanuel Adebayor for Arsenal's fourth and Adebayor's third. On 23 September 2008 he completed 90 minutes in Arsenal's third round Carling Cup game against Sheffield United where he added two more assists to his season's tally, setting up Nicklas Bendtner and Carlos Vela, which Arsenal won 6–0. He scored his first goal for the club in their 5–2 victory away against Fenerbahçe in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League^[15] by shooting a long range shot which hit the left post and went in, becoming the fifth youngest scorer in Champions League history, and only the second player born in the 1990s to score a Champions League goal. Ramsey was named amongst host of young players poised to shine in 2009 by Fifa.com.^[16] On 1 July 2009, he signed a new long-term contract at Arsenal.^[17]

2009–10 season

On 22 August, Ramsey scored his first league goal in a one-on-one against goalkeeper David James as Arsenal beat Portsmouth 4–1^[18] at Emirates Stadium and then set up Andrei Arshavin in a 3–1 home win over Celtic in the Champions League play-offs.^[19] In the 28 October Carling Cup fourth round win against Liverpool, he produced an impressive performance and set up Nicklas Bendtner that earned him the Man of the Match award.
Ramsey made his first Premier League start of the season on November 7, 2009 as Arsenal beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 4–1 at Molineux with Ramsey completing 90-minutes for the first time in the top-flight. Four days after the game, he was awarded the Welsh Young Player of the Year award.^[20] On 6 December 2009, Ramsey scored his second league goal of the season in a comfortable 2–0 victory over Stoke City. On 30 December, Ramsey went on to score his third goal of the season, along with an assist in the 4–1 victory against Portsmouth. On 3 January 2010, Ramsey scored a 78th minute equaliser in the F.A. Cup third round tie against West Ham United at Upton Park. Arsenal went on to win the tie 2–1, with Eduardo scoring a 83rd minute header. Ramsey went on to be named E.ON Man of the Match. Ramsey has been described by manager Arsène Wenger as: "An offence-minded Roy Keane" and "an all-round player, with a fantastic ability to cover distances".^[21]

Injury

On 27 February 2010, Arsenal played Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium, and Ramsey was tackled by Stoke player Ryan Shawcross. Ramsey suffered a double fracture in his lower right leg and Shawcross saw straight red for the challenge.^[22] Ramsey was hospitalised, and it was later confirmed that he had broken his tibia and fibula.^[23] No return date was initially given,^[24]^[25] but it was announced on March 20 that he started walking without his crutches. Ramsey signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal on 1 June 2010.^[26] Ramsey returned to training in mid-October.^[27]

Return after injury

On 23 November 2010, Ramsey made his return to competitive football in just under nine months after completing 45 minutes for the Arsenal reserve team against the Wolverhampton Wanderers reserve team at Arsenal's London Colney training ground. Ramsey almost marked his return with a goal. Arsenal finished the game 2-1 with goals coming from Roarie Deacon and Gilles Sunu for Arsenal and Sam Winnall for Wolves.^[28]^[29]

Loan to Nottingham Forest

Ramsey was loaned out to Nottingham Forest on 25 November 2010 until 3 January 2011. The move was to allow Ramsey to gain match fitness and sharpness.^[30] Ramsey made his Forest debut on 29 November 2010 as a 61st minute substitute against Leicester City.^[31] He made his first start against Derby County where he played 60 minutes. The match ended 5-2 to Nottingham Forest. Due to adverse weather conditions, Ramsey was limited to just five appearances for Forest before returning to Arsenal in January, 2011.^[32]^[33]

Return to Arsenal

Ramsey returned to Arsenal on 5 January before the club's FA Cup clash with Leeds United FC^[34] where he returned to the bench for Arsenal.^[35] However, he remained an unused substitute. Ramsey also remained an unused substitute at Portman Road on 12 January in the Carling Cup semi-final^[36]

Loan return to Cardiff

Ramsey returned to Cardiff City in a one month loan move ending on 26 February. He will be able to play for The Bluebirds until the 26th of February and includes the game against Hull City A.F.C. ^[37] He will join fellow Arsenal youngster Jay Emmanuel-Thomas who also joined Cardiff City on loan in January 2011.^[38] Ramsey was handed his first start for Cardiff on the first of February when the Bluebirds played Reading.^[39] Ramsey again started for Cardiff City in the South Wales derby against Swansea City A.F.C. where he provided an assist for Craig Bellamy. The final score was 1-0.^[40] Ramsey again completed 90 minutes for Cardiff in the games against Scunthorpe (1-0) ^[41] and Burnley (1-1). Ramsey did not travel to Nottingham Forest (with whom he has already spent loan time this season) with Cardiff on the 19th of February after suffering a minor thigh strain.^[42] On the 21st of February Ramsey Scored for Cardiff when they played Leicester the assist on the goal came from Kevin McNaughton. The Final score was 2-0 the other goal coming from Michael Chopra ^[43] On the same day it was revealed by Wenger that Ramsey has been penciled in to Arsenals game Vs. Leyton Orient He said “I have had good reports from Cardiff and I intend to use him". Meaning that a loan extension at Cardiff would not happen ^[44] However The FA later reminded Wenger that Ramsey was ineligible because he was not available for the initial tie^[45]
On the 25th of February one day before Ramsey's loan ends Cardiff asked for a season long extension with a 24 hour call back option however Arsenal turned this offer down and Ramsey will return to Arsenal^[46]

Return to Arsenal

Aaron Ramsey Returned to the bench for Arsenal on the 5th of March, he went out to warm up early in the second half however he didn't play a part in the match. Arsenal drew 0-0 with Sunderland.^[47]^[48] Aaron Ramsey has pledged to Arsene Wenger he is fully match fit and wants a chance to make his full comeback. He said "I just want to play now. I feel that I'm ready so I just want my chance to start a game as soon as possible and show that I'm capable of doing a job in there." ^[49] Ramsey made his Arsenal return as a 72nd minute substitute on 12 March against Manchester United in the FA cup Arsenal lost 2-0 ^[50] Ramsey made his first start since injury for Arsenal on 19 March against West Bromwich Albion.^[51] He was taken off in the 56th minute to be replaced by Nicklas Bendtner ^[52]. Ramsey was left out of the game vs. Blackburn after sustaining a groin injury ^[53].

International

Ramsey had his first taste of international action when he was called up for the Wales U17s in 2005. A part of the new wave of young talents to emerge from the Wales youth teams, he debuted for the U21 side on 21 August 2007 in a 4–3 away win over Sweden U21s several months shy of his seventeenth birthday, breaking former club mate Chris Gunter's record.^[54]^[55] Youth coach Brian Flynn revealed that Ramsey had been purposely held back in the U21s to help qualify for the 2009 U21 European Championships but they lost a close contest to England U21s in the play-offs, where Ramsey himself scored a wonderful volley with his weaker foot in the second leg at Villa Park.^[56] Ramsey made his debut for the Wales national football team on 19 November 2008 versus Denmark in a friendly, aged 17.^[57]^[58] On 14 October 2009, he scored his first senior goal in the 2010 World Cup qualifier away at Liechtenstein from a free kick awarded for a trip on Gareth Bale.^[59] With the World Cup qualification campaign now over, he and 11 other senior internationals were recalled to Flynn's preliminary U21 squad on 30 October for a qualifier but later withdrew.^[60] On 6 November, Toshack also called him up for the 14 November friendly against Scotland.^[61] Wales won 3–0 and Ramsey was involved in all of them – assisting David Edwards' opener, setting up Joe Ledley to assist the second and then scoring a solo effort.^[62] Ramsey was awarded the FAW's Young Player of the Year award that same month