'HE’S A REAL LEADER' - KEOWN HEAPS PRAISE ON RAMSEY AFTER NAPOLI WIN
Arsenal are about to lose their most valuable player in the form of Aaron Ramsey, believes Martin Keown.
The Wales international was at the heart of a polished European performance from Unai Emery's side as they beat Napoli 2-0 in the first-leg of their Europa League quarter-final.
The midfielder opened the scoring on 15 minutes, finishing off a flowing move by the hosts, before a Kalidou Koulibaly own goal gave Arsenal a strong advantage to take with them to Naples.
Ramsey will be heading to Italy on a permanent basis in the summer when he joins Serie A champions elect Juventus, and Keown believes the Gunners are waving goodbye to an outstanding talent.
'It’s a sad situation but he’s a victim of circumstance' the former defender said on BT Sport. 'He continues to mature as a player and develop. He’s a real leader now in this Arsenal team.
'Playing in a deeper role, as he did under Arsene Wenger – I think that’s the best role for him. If you want Ozil and him in the same team. He’s so imp to everything to do. It’s the energy – the box to box energy. He’s become an outstanding technician.
'He’s at his peak and he’s leaving to go to another football club and that’s very hard for the Arsenal faithful to take.
With Ramsey set to leave, the impetus will be on Mesut Ozil to pick up the mantle in the middle of the park.
The German has shown recent signs of improvement under Unai Emery, however, Keown insists the better player is leaving The Emirates.
'Ramsey will have a dream where he can sign off by winning the Europa league and putting his former team into the Champions League,' he said.
'You have no qualms with him. When he wasn’t selected he came off the bench, played incredible well – great attitude. I think he’s been harshly treated.
'If I was picking between Ramsey and Ozil at the moment it would have to be Ramsey.
'Ozil is improvement and he’s adding a little bit of quality. But the player that is the most valuable is Ramsey.'
Leaving Arsenal, Ramsey is set to join a team that can boast the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and who still have Champions League ambitions this season.
And Keown's fellow pundit John Hartson believes the fans cannot begrudge their star joining a club of that calibre.
'We have to get over it,' said the former Arsenal and Celtic striker. 'It’s an opportunity for the lad as well, to go and play in a wonderful team with arguably the best player along with [Lionel] Messi. A different culture, different league.
'Forgetting the shenanigans that Arsenal are letting him go for nothing, which is incredible, it’s an opportunity for him.
'Technically he’s very good. He covers more ground than any other player. His stats are through the roof and for me, his biggest asset, he’s a goalscoring midfielder – when he gets in he very seldom misses.'
The Wales international was at the heart of a polished European performance from Unai Emery's side as they beat Napoli 2-0 in the first-leg of their Europa League quarter-final.
The midfielder opened the scoring on 15 minutes, finishing off a flowing move by the hosts, before a Kalidou Koulibaly own goal gave Arsenal a strong advantage to take with them to Naples.
Ramsey will be heading to Italy on a permanent basis in the summer when he joins Serie A champions elect Juventus, and Keown believes the Gunners are waving goodbye to an outstanding talent.
'It’s a sad situation but he’s a victim of circumstance' the former defender said on BT Sport. 'He continues to mature as a player and develop. He’s a real leader now in this Arsenal team.
'Playing in a deeper role, as he did under Arsene Wenger – I think that’s the best role for him. If you want Ozil and him in the same team. He’s so imp to everything to do. It’s the energy – the box to box energy. He’s become an outstanding technician.
'He’s at his peak and he’s leaving to go to another football club and that’s very hard for the Arsenal faithful to take.
With Ramsey set to leave, the impetus will be on Mesut Ozil to pick up the mantle in the middle of the park.
The German has shown recent signs of improvement under Unai Emery, however, Keown insists the better player is leaving The Emirates.
'Ramsey will have a dream where he can sign off by winning the Europa league and putting his former team into the Champions League,' he said.
'You have no qualms with him. When he wasn’t selected he came off the bench, played incredible well – great attitude. I think he’s been harshly treated.
'If I was picking between Ramsey and Ozil at the moment it would have to be Ramsey.
'Ozil is improvement and he’s adding a little bit of quality. But the player that is the most valuable is Ramsey.'
Leaving Arsenal, Ramsey is set to join a team that can boast the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and who still have Champions League ambitions this season.
And Keown's fellow pundit John Hartson believes the fans cannot begrudge their star joining a club of that calibre.
'We have to get over it,' said the former Arsenal and Celtic striker. 'It’s an opportunity for the lad as well, to go and play in a wonderful team with arguably the best player along with [Lionel] Messi. A different culture, different league.
'Forgetting the shenanigans that Arsenal are letting him go for nothing, which is incredible, it’s an opportunity for him.
'Technically he’s very good. He covers more ground than any other player. His stats are through the roof and for me, his biggest asset, he’s a goalscoring midfielder – when he gets in he very seldom misses.'
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