‘Rambo’ Expected To Star In Pre-Season Tournament

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 our Profile section with an up to date outlook on the Welsh midfield prodidgy.

Ramsey: “Arsenal Move Was Right For My Future”

Aaron Ramsey says he chose Arsenal over Manchester United because he felt it was the right decision for his long term development.

The 17-year-old signed for the Gunners in a £5 million deal last month after being encouraged by Arsene Wenger’s pledge to take personal responsibility for his development. The Arsenal manager also promised Ramsey that he would remain at the club rather than be sent back to Cardiff on loan, as had been proposed by Manchester United.

“It is an honour to be wanted by massive clubs like Arsenal, Manchester United and Everton,” Ramsey said. “In the end I had to make the decision I felt was right for my future.”

Arsenal’s record of giving young players early opportunities in the first team was also an influential factor, with Wenger using the examples of Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott and Denilson to demonstrate that he would be given a chance to stake his claim, initially in the Carling Cup but potentially in the Barclays Premier League, before the end of next season. United were unable to make the same commitment.

Although Ramsey is excited by the prospect of playing in the Premier League, he realises he has some way to go before becoming a regular at the Emiorates Stadium.

“Cardiff City gave me my start in professional football and I won’t forget that. It doesn’t seem that long ago when I first joined as a schoolboy,” Ramsey added. “I have come a fair way since then, but there is still a lot of hard work ahead.”

United’s annoyance at being beaten in the race to sign him is likely to be compounded by the embarrassing revelation that the loss of the talented teenager was partially self-inflicted. It is understood that the failure of Sir Alex Ferguson to attend a meeting with the player at the club’s Carrington training ground on Friday played a crucial part in his decision to choose Arsenal because it contrasted starkly with the attitude of Wenger, who took the 17-year-old and his parents for lunch in Zurich.

Peter Ridsdale, the Cardiff chairman, says that while United are understandably disappointed to lose out on the player, they understand the situation.

“I believe we handled the situation as well as it could be handled,” Ridsdale said.

“I spoke to David Gill, Manchester United’s chief executive, yesterday and they are disappointed, but there is no problem with Cardiff City whatsoever. We had a detailed chat and there is no bad vibe, none whatsoever. I kept Manchester United informed at every moment.

“They were the first to make a £5 million offer, but I told them at the time that if any other clubs came in at an identical level, they would also be given permission for talks with Aaron. Arsenal have sent me an e-mail thanking Cardiff City for the way the transfer negotiations were handled.”

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