Aaron Ramsey can be Arsenal’s new Ray Parlour

Aaron Ramsey is a lot like Ray Parlour

Parlour had been in and around the Arsenal squad for 4 years consistently involved but never a first choice for any prolonged period until his fifth season in 1996/97. This was Wenger’s first season and Parlour had quickly become a go-to player on the right side of the midfield in the second half of the campaign. At the end of that season, Parlour had played 169 games for Arsenal and he would go on to star for the double winning side in his sixth full campaign, culminating in a man of the match performance at Wembley against Newcastle.

Ramsey had been in and around the Arsenal squad for 4 years last season and there is little doubt that his fifth campaign, like Parlour’s was the one that saw him establish himself as a genuine first teamer. Only Cazorla appeared more for Arsenal in the Premier league than Ramsey in 2012/13. So at the end of last season, how many top flight games had Ramsey played for Arsenal and Wales? 176. And after 5 seasons in which the fifth saw both players truly belong, there was only a difference of 7 games between Parlour and Ramsey!

Parlour’s sixth campaign and his second under Wenger saw himself become one of the first names on the team sheet and it remained that way for the next 4 seasons at least. He is still, of course, the player who has played more games in the Premier League for Arsenal than anyone and with 3 league titles, 4 FA Cups, one League Cup and a European Cup Winners Cup to his name ‘The Real Romford Pele’ is truly a club legend.

At the start of Ramsey’s sixth campaign, Parlour’s successor is a truly complete box-to-box midfielder with an eye for goal and tenacity reminiscent of Razor. I could go on you know – Parlour played right back for 7 games in his break through under Wenger to cover for Dixon and who else have we seen doing that?

“I’d put on a Red shirt and run through brick walls for Arsenal.” – Parlour

Both took circa 170 top flight games to be truly established. Both saw their technique improve with age and indeed their passing and choice of pass. Both, most importantly, whilst never doubted by the faithful for their effort, were doubted by the fans for their ability. If I had been asked in 1995, in the dire latter days of George Graham, which of our young central midfielders I thought would make it I would honestly have had Hughes and Selley ahead of Parlour. Just how wrong would I have been?

If I was asked in the summer of 2012 which of our young British midfielders I thought would make it, I might have said all three, but being honest I would have had Wilshere and Chamberlain ahead of Ramsey. If you asked me now?

It is all there for Ramsey right now and I have the distinct impression that the Welshman is more than ready to accept the responsibility. He is 23 in December and it was in Parlour’s 23^rd year that he made the red and white shirt his own. The similarities are evident, but technically I believe Ramsey has more in his locker. We just could be watching something quite special develop in N5 and Aaron Ramsey will be integral to our future success. Ask Overmars, Bergkamp of Henry and I am certain they would all tell you that every great team needs a dynamic engine like Parlour or Ramsey.

You may feel I am stretching the point on the number of games it can take even a great player to truly feel at home in the top echelons of the game in England? If so, love him or hate him, Frank Lampard is arguably the best exponent we have had in club football, at least of a goal scoring box-to-box central midfielder in recent times. No guesses then at what age Lampard was when he earned his move to Chelsea – 23 exactly with 185 top flight games under his belt. He was ready and so is Ramsey.

I will leave the last words to the great man himself:

“I am sure he will be fine,” the ex-England international told Arsenal.com. “Robert Pires did his cruciate while I was at Arsenal and came back. Aaron has a strong body and a strong character for a 19-year-old. He’ll have to work hard on his fitness of course but I am sure he’ll be OK.”

Parlour occupied the Arsenal midfield 466 times and therefore knows something about the quality required ‘in the engine room’. Ramsey has clearly caught his eye.

“I rate him really highly,” he said. “He is an excellent player who can be big for Arsenal in the future. He has gone up a standard this season. I have been really impressed by him this season.”

Ray Parlour on Aaron Ramsey March 3, 2010. After the double leg fracture.

Perhaps Ramsey will be saying something like this when he hangs up his boots.

“What an honour. I’m pleased, because I wasn’t one of those players who stick out and do magical things every game, but I think [the Arsenal fans] liked how I worked.” – Ray Parlour having been voted Arsenal’s 19th greatest player ever!