• Premier League

Ramsey hoping revitalised Arsenal can start afresh

ESPN staff
September 7, 2011
Aaron Ramsey is hoping the arrival of new players will help lift the gloom at Arsenal © PA Photos
Enlarge

Aaron Ramsey is hoping the international break will have allowed Arsenal to get over their 8-2 thumping at the hands of Manchester United, with the Welshman insisting the club are ready to make a "fresh start".

The Gunners have endured a turbulent few weeks, losing key duo Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri to Barcelona and Manchester City respectively and taking one point from three games in the Premier League.

Arsene Wenger's squad's capitulation at Old Trafford in their last outing was the club's worst defeat since 1896, leaving many to question whether Wenger is the right man to steer them through this difficult period.

However, Ramsey is optimistic their nightmare start to the season is over, predicting they can now return to winning ways starting with victory over top-flight new-boys Swansea at Emirates Stadium on Saturday and claw their way back into the title race. "We want to put things right after our last result," he said after England's 1-0 win over Wales at Wembley on Tuesday night.

"Hopefully we put in a really good performance and get back to winning ways. We have had a good think about things and it will be a fresh start now.''

Arsenal, who last picked up some silverware in 2005 when they won the FA Cup, have strengthened their squad with the arrivals of South Korea captain Park Chu-young and Mikel Arteta from Everton, while there have been defensive additions in the form of Per Mertesacker and Andre Santos. Yossi Benayoun has also joined on a season-long loan from Chelsea, and Ramsey believes the new recruits will provide the missing spark that is so badly needed.

"We have brought in some quality players, Arteta and Benayoun are two creative midfielders who are really comfortable on the ball and they will be great additions to the squad," he said.

With Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen sidelined after needing minor surgery on an ongoing ankle problem, Mertesacker - capped 76 times by Germany - looks set to make his Arsenal debut this weekend.

The 26-year-old 6ft 6ins centre-back, who joined from Werder Bremen for £8 million, told German news agency DPA: "It is exciting. It is a new phase in my life and I am really looking forward to it, but I also feel nervous. It is like before the first day at school. Now I have a new challenge in a new country, a new style of play and a new language and I am ready for it.''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices