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Thursday, November 7, 2013

Rampaging Ramsey is now world-class

Another big test, another big victory - Arsenal's critics have been watching and waiting for them to stumble and fall like so often before. Yet after beating Borussia Dortmund 1-0 at Signal Iduna Park on Wednesday night, the Gunners are beginning to look like the genuine article.
"Arsenal can win it," acknowledged Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp in the aftermath of the 2013 finalists' shock defeat before offering the caveat: "If they don't play Bayern Munich."
But is the toppling of another teutonic titan even beyond the rejuvenated north London team? The fact that Arsene Wenger's side sit five points clear in the Premier League and top of the 'Group of Death', of course, is in no small part due to the feel-good factor that £40 million club-record signing Mesut Ozil has brought. But the true testament to their growing maturity is that the German playmaker is not their standout performer.

With yet another valuable goal to cap a memorable display, Aaron Ramsey can lay legitimate claims to being the Premier League's top player so far this season - a scenario unthinkable to even the most ardent of Arsenal fans 12 months ago.
The Wales captain - awarded the club's player of the month award for the fourth time in a row on Wednesday - is unrecognisable from the timid midfielder of yesteryear, during a career horribly stalled by a nasty leg break in 2010. 
Ten goals in 17 appearances suggests this is finally his season to shine and, allied to his impressive passing, tackling and athleticism, Ramsey can now be considered one of the most dangerous box-to-box midfielders in world football.