Ramsey chooses wisely

I hope I am not being premature but even the official Cardiff City website is reporting that Aaron Ramsey has opted to join Arsenal, snubbing Manu and Everton in the process. Although Ramsey is inexperienced and unproven, this must be seen as a bit of a coup for Arsene Wenger given how keen Manu were on the player.

Ramsey is very highly rated, technically gifted and at home either on the right or in the centre of midfield, positions where he may well be challenging for a first team place sooner rather than later. Personally I have only seen brief glimpses of Ramsey in action, but he did look very sharp as a substitute in the cup final and it certainly is not easy to come by good young versatile midfielders these days.

I think this signing would not have happened if we were a Manu or Chelsea type club. Arsene has created a culture in which young players have come through year after year, and this would not have happened if there was not some room in the squad to allow these players to develop. Young players have been proven to get their chance at Arsenal with the Carling cup becoming a great vehicle for young player development, while Arsene does not rush to replace everyone that leaves with a big money big name. Vieira was replaced by Cesc and Cole by Clichy, and there are countless other examples. I just wish those who mindlessly clamoured for big names would bear this mind.