Wenger’s deadliest weapon: How Arsenal & Aaron Ramsey annihilated Hull

Aaaron Ramsey celebrates his goal against Hull at the weekend

Oh for the strike of the injury curse that seemingly occurs at Arsenal on a yearly basis, as they will once again look back wistfully at what could have been, had they not been shorn of the services of Aaron Ramsey for three whole months.

Since suffering an ankle injury in the win at West Ham on Boxing Day of last year, the Gunners have endured some patchy form, which has seen their title challenge disintegrate, with the aim for Arsenal now being to hold on to their position in the top four.

The Welshman enjoyed a blistering start to the season after rejuvenating over the summer and had been at the heart of the Gunners surprise title charge up until his injury.

With Ramsey out of the team as his comeback kept getting pushed further and further back, Arsenal’s bid for glory fell apart, with heavy defeats against the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea having been inflicted in Ramsey’s absence.

But he was back in the starting XI for the first time in 2014 and Arsenal appeared back to their old selves, with the Welsh midfielder making an instant impact on his return to the side.

Ramsey scored one goal to set Arsenal on their way to a convincing 3-0 victory over FA Cup final opponents Hull City at the KC Stadium and was instrumental in both of Lukas Podolski’s strikes as well to cap a fine return to the side.

Ramsey Attempts/Goals vs Hull

While some will debate how much of the chest down that Podolski blasted into the net just before half-time was intentional, it will go down as an assist in addition to his earlier goal, while the German was afforded a tap in after Hull ‘keeper Steve Harper could only parry Ramsey’s initial effort, one of four he attempted in the match.

Ramsey’s Pass Map against Hull

Only a block from the Hull defenders prevented Ramsey from recording a forcing the keeper into action through each of those four attempts, though the midfielder will still be able to boast 100% shot accuracy from his performance, while he created a further two chances from 67 completed passes at an accuracy of 87%.

While plenty of Gunners’ players have achieved higher accuracy with their passing this season (Ramsey has averaged 84%), the Welshman provides a more dynamic thrust to their style of play, having played 64.3% of his passes in a forward direction this season.

He was once again playing the majority of his passes forward again against Hull and won an additional two fouls from his opponents, who had no answer to the direct punch he brings to an Arsenal side often guilty of having been too cute in the middle of the park.

Arsenal’s top tacklers from the Premier League 2013.14 season so far.

Likewise, he brings more bite to the Gunners’ midfield, which has again been criticised for not putting up a fight and being easily bullied. In fact, Ramsey remains Arsenal’s joint top tackler despite his absence, with 57 tackles, and he won two of his three tackles once again on Humberside to maintain his impressive success rate.

After such a performance having come immediately off the back of an enforced lengthy absence from the side, you can’t help but admire the professionalism of Aaron Ramsey as an athlete, taking no time at all to impress after his lay-off.

While Arsenal will undoubtedly be thrilled to have him available again, there will inevitably be a feeling of what might have been for the Gunners, if bad luck hadn’t struck once again and deprived them of his services for such a large chunk of the season.