Signing: Aaron Ramsey

Ok, I know I'm kinda late for this but unless it's official, I'm not going to join the bandwagon and set ourselves with expectations of who's gona join us for next season. I'm still waiting for the Nasri deal to be sorted out but meantime, Ol' Profesore didn't waste time in recruiting a top British talent in versatile Aaron Ramsey.

Everyone's saying how good the feeling was that AW snatched Ramsey off under the noses of Sir Fergie and from the blue-half of Merseyside. Sending out a private jet to take him and his family to Switzerland (where Le Boss is acting as a spokesperson at the Euro Champs), AW convinced the talent to spurn Man U (who had asked Gary Neville to take him on a tour around OT and all and even publicize on their official website that they had agreed terms with Ramsey).

Quote Le Boss (courtesy of Arsenal Mania):

"We're delighted to have signed Aaron Ramsey. He is a young player who has shown huge potential with his performances for both Cardiff City and Wales at under-17 and under-21 levels.

He is still only 17, but has already shown that he is a very intelligent and mature player with great quality. Although he mainly plays in midfield, Aaron is a versatile player and can also play across the defence. We are all looking forward to welcoming Aaron to the club for our pre-season preparations."


Quote Steve Claridge (courtesy of Arsenal Mania):

"There are few teenage players in the country who come as highly rated as Aaron. Sometimes young lads with big reputations don't come up to scratch. With Ramsey, though, that is emphatically not the case.

"He refused to stand and admire anything he had done and, instead, was constantly alive to the next phase or the next option.

"His retention of the ball is good and we are not talking about a player who merely chose the easy option. He was equally adept at simple five-yard passes and marvellously weighted 60-yard diagonals in behind the centre-backs.

"He works opponents with the ball, creating little angles with his left or right foot and his quality simply shines through.

"He has a sixth sense telling him where opponents are. This was reflected in his first touch and placement of his body. Even when opponents doubled up on him he managed to escape unscathed from tight angles.

"Ramsey's team-mates were happy to pass the ball up to him, even when he was marked, because they knew that they were giving it to a better player, He had no problems defensively. He chased and was not afraid to put his foot or his head in where it hurt.

"He has a big future at the club."

And from the wonderkid himself:

“I recently met with Arsene Wenger and he was a big factor in my decision to join Arsenal. He talked to me for a long time about the club and the plans for the future, which really excites me.”

First significant signing for us, though he is just 17 but we all believe he is (another) one for the future first-team. Of course, not forgetting our other wonderkinds Vela, Merida, Randell, Wiltshire, Barazite ...

Good luck Aaron!