Aaron Ramsey is set to mix it with the best in Europe for a high-profile Arsenal home debut.
The former Cardiff City starlet – who has been handed Mathieu Flamini’s No 16 Arsenal shirt – has been pencilled in for an Emirates Stadium debut against European giants Real Madrid and Juventus.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger wants to see Ramsey tested by top-class opponents as soon as possible and is likely to give him a run-out in the pre-season Emirates Cup on the first weekend of August.
That means Ramsey could cross swords with the likes of Madrid trio Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben – the Dutch trio who the uncapped 17-year-old saw tear Wales apart from his place on the bench in a Rotterdam friendly last month.
Ramsey could even line up against Cristiano Ronaldo if the Manchester United winger completes a world record transfer before then.
Arsenal host Real on August 3, 24 hours after meeting Juventus who are likely to include Alessandro del Piero, Gianluigi Buffon and David Trezeguet.
Wenger has already hinted Ramsey may have a significant part to play this season by handing the shirt vacated by Flamini’s summer move to AC Milan.
But Cardiff star Riccy Scimeca has warned that Ramsey may have to wait for his chance at the Emirates.
“Aaron will soon find that every pass he delivers will have to be near perfect,” said Scimeca, who graced the Premier League with Aston Villa, Leicester City and West Brom.
“He might have to be a bit patient to break through, but there is no doubt that he has got special talent.”
To find out more about Ramsey and get a bigger picture of the player, read Young Guns interview with a Cardiff City fan.
More To Come Later
Tags: arsenal, cardiff, emirates cup, juventus, Ramsey, Real Madrid
June 30, 2008 at 3:17 pm
I wonder what the odds are of Ramsey scoring a hat trick against Madrid are
June 30, 2008 at 3:22 pm
haha. Wouldn’t that be lovely
June 30, 2008 at 3:25 pm
And than celebrating with a shirt saying; This is why i joined the gooners and i didn’t join them fucking mancs
June 30, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Do you think Ramsey and any of the other first team players are likely to get a run out before the Emirates cup? As ive signed up to Setanta sports so i could watch the Barnet game and the Austrian camp games etc. Also well lookin fwrd to the Emirates cup as im gonna be there both days.
June 30, 2008 at 3:40 pm
yep, Sky Sports showing coverage of the Emirates Cup.
And I expect to see the likes of Randall, Barazite, Gibbs and Ramsey get a few games in the tournament.
June 30, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Best Luck, Aaron.
June 30, 2008 at 3:52 pm
I dont think he will feature too much for first team in this season unless he can pull off a fabregas !!
June 30, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Ah good good cause although i would like to see the reserves players i will be abit annoyd if i dont get to see the new signings till emirates cup. Setanta ave quality Arsenal pre-season though as they have 6 of arsenals pre-season games on there.
June 30, 2008 at 3:55 pm
lol… resoponse to the first comment…nothing’s impossible! :p
June 30, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Hmmm, yeah not too sure if those games are being broadcasted on the actual Setanta channels, think they’re only on Arsenal TV.
June 30, 2008 at 3:57 pm
I was just on the phone to Arsene , he said ive all the qualities to succeed at centre half for Arsenal – 35 – overweight – 2 left feet – and not that pretty – and cheap, oh no wait that sounds a bit like senderos. Sorry cudnt resist, looking forward to the Em cup to get a butchers at the future, what ever that may be, Vela in particular.
June 30, 2008 at 4:09 pm
haha, fit the bill perfectly mate
June 30, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Well Gooner Chris if you dont laugh you’ll cry!!
June 30, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Tbh we’re looking great for the new season, if we can keep Ade and even Hleb I can see us doing something special next season.
June 30, 2008 at 4:19 pm
… and not just the Emirates Cup and Amsterdam Tourny
June 30, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Yeah ive got Arsenal TV 2 it comes free when you sign up to Setanta, so now i can watch all the games on Sky, Setanta and Arsenal TV
. Also i get to watch all the reserve games on Arsenal TV and youth highlights how good is dat? Cant wait till July 19th now.
June 30, 2008 at 5:52 pm
I think the Journalists are making up alot of this Ade nonsense as was just watching Derby vs Arsenal on Arsenal TV and Ade looked happy and seemed to get on really well with most of the squad so i dont see why he would want to leave.
June 30, 2008 at 7:18 pm
wat u think 2nd again i dont care always a gooner