‘Be patient,’ Wenger tells Ramsey, as the Welsh midfield star looks to return

Published: 21 January, 2011
by STEVE BARNETT

Aaron’s long wait is almost over

ARSENE Wenger insists that Aaron Ramsey must be “patient” as he closes in on a return to the Arsenal first team following a long injury lay-off. 

The 20-year-old is rapidly returning to full fitness since being sidelined for almost nine months after breaking his leg at Stoke City last February.  

Ramsey went on loan to Nottingham Forest at the end of November to try to speed-up his recovery, but the move proved frustrating for the midfielder as the Championship side suffered three postpone­ments due to weather. 

He was back in Wenger’s squad for the FA Cup tie with Leeds at the Emirates Stadium, but missed Wednesday's replay at Elland Road, which the Gunners won 3-1.

Ramsey’s wait to get back on the pitch wearing an Arsenal shirt is almost over, but Wenger is treading very carefully. 

“He will play when he is match fit,” the Frenchman told Arsenal.com. “He is getting better and better every day so we have to be a bit patient. And…  he will have to be a bit patient. He has been out for nine months, the most important thing now is not to have any new injuries or setbacks while he is recovering. 

“His progress is encouraging but it’s very difficult to say when I will play him. He did not have the number of games we expected him to get at Nottingham Forest. It was a very troubled period with a lot of snow and missing games and training. Now he looks better and better every day.”