Steven Gerrard hails Aaron Ramsey as 'the best attacking midfielder in the Premier League' - Ramsey 'honoured'
Ramsey was back in central midfield last night in the stunning win over Olympiakos
Steven Gerrard has given Aaron Ramsey his highest praise, calling the Arsenal man "the best attacking midfielder in the Premier League". Ramsey has since tweeted that he was honoured to hear Gerrard's compliments.
The former Liverpool captain was speaking as a pundit for BT Sport last night during Arsenal's 3-0 win over Olympiakos, which sent the Gunners through to the Champions League Last-16.
In that game, Ramsey was back playing in his favoured central position, not on the wing. Gerrard says that Ramsey must continue playing centrally, as he is at his most effective.
"I don't think he'll be happy himself playing out wide because he hasn't got the legs - his qualities are all in the middle," Gerrard said.
"For me, when he's in that form, he's the best attacking midfielder in the Premier League.
Arsenal player ratings vs Olympiakos
Show all 11
Arsenal player ratings vs Olympiakos
1/11 Petr Cech 7 out of 10
Kept alert through extended periods with little or nothing to do; when he was called upon he was never found wanting. His save from Fortounis at 2-0 was vital in keeping the Gunners on top.
2/11 Bellerin 5 out of 10
Another disappointing display from the Spaniard, who has not looked quite the same since returning from injury last month. His passing was loose and he struggled defensively with the pacey, tricky Seba, though he received next to no support from Walcott.
2015 Getty Images
3/11 Mertesacker 6 out of 10
Struggled with the pace of Ideye early on, a difficulty he did not make any easier by strolling forward far too often. But an excellent diving tackle on the hour mark revitalized the German, who was then crucial in repelling Olympiakos crosses into the area.
4/11 Koscielny 8 out of 10
Absolutely outstanding in the early period as his colleagues seemed determined to play into Olympiakos hands. On at least two occasions he cut out what would have been almost certain goals as he dived to clear crosses.
2015 Getty Images
5/11 Monreal 7 out of 10
Became increasingly vital to Arsenal’s attacking play when Walcott switched to the left, and his crossing was far better than it has been for much of the season. That he combined this with solid defensive work capped a very good display.
2015 The Arsenal Football Club Plc
6/11 Flamini 6 out of 10
Too often he was caught out of position when the hosts broke, chasing the ball rather than holding the defensive line. In the second half he was simply a passenger as those further forward took charge.
2015 Getty Images
7/11 Ramsey 6 out of 10
Could not be blamed for his booking, coming as it did when Olympiakos were breaking with menace whenever Arsenal gave the ball away. Indeed Ramsey showed notable defensive skills in the first half, tackling well to stop goalscoring opportunities.
2015 The Arsenal Football Club Plc
8/11 Walcott 6 out of 10
Unselfishly flitted around the frontline, looking for the best place in which to help his team-mates. But his hard work arguably let him down, as he seemed unable to establish an understanding with his team-mates.
2015 The Arsenal Football Club Plc
9/11 Ozil 7 out of 10
It may not have been another assist for his burgeoning tally, but Ozil’s pass for Monreal in the build-up to the opener was the sort of incisive moment Wenger needed from his star man. With Olympiakos’ defence packed in front of him he was unlikely to get many chances to create, but he made what he did get count.
2015 The Arsenal Football Club Plc
10/11 Campbell 8 out of 10
Another display to silence the doubters, and Campbell may now have overtaken Oxlade-Chamberlain in the pecking order. A brilliant reverse pass from the Costa Rican gave Giroud his second.
2015 Getty Images
11/11 Giroud 9 out of 10
A brilliant display from the striker, who dominated Da Costa and Siovas to give Arsenal a vital outball. His powerful header was too much for Roberto before he shrugged off what seemed a serious injury to make it two. He then secured the hat-trick he deserved from the spot.
2015 The Arsenal Football Club Plc
1/11 Petr Cech 7 out of 10
Kept alert through extended periods with little or nothing to do; when he was called upon he was never found wanting. His save from Fortounis at 2-0 was vital in keeping the Gunners on top.
2/11 Bellerin 5 out of 10
Another disappointing display from the Spaniard, who has not looked quite the same since returning from injury last month. His passing was loose and he struggled defensively with the pacey, tricky Seba, though he received next to no support from Walcott.
2015 Getty Images
3/11 Mertesacker 6 out of 10
Struggled with the pace of Ideye early on, a difficulty he did not make any easier by strolling forward far too often. But an excellent diving tackle on the hour mark revitalized the German, who was then crucial in repelling Olympiakos crosses into the area.
4/11 Koscielny 8 out of 10
Absolutely outstanding in the early period as his colleagues seemed determined to play into Olympiakos hands. On at least two occasions he cut out what would have been almost certain goals as he dived to clear crosses.
2015 Getty Images
5/11 Monreal 7 out of 10
Became increasingly vital to Arsenal’s attacking play when Walcott switched to the left, and his crossing was far better than it has been for much of the season. That he combined this with solid defensive work capped a very good display.
2015 The Arsenal Football Club Plc
6/11 Flamini 6 out of 10
Too often he was caught out of position when the hosts broke, chasing the ball rather than holding the defensive line. In the second half he was simply a passenger as those further forward took charge.
2015 Getty Images
7/11 Ramsey 6 out of 10
Could not be blamed for his booking, coming as it did when Olympiakos were breaking with menace whenever Arsenal gave the ball away. Indeed Ramsey showed notable defensive skills in the first half, tackling well to stop goalscoring opportunities.
2015 The Arsenal Football Club Plc
8/11 Walcott 6 out of 10
Unselfishly flitted around the frontline, looking for the best place in which to help his team-mates. But his hard work arguably let him down, as he seemed unable to establish an understanding with his team-mates.
2015 The Arsenal Football Club Plc
9/11 Ozil 7 out of 10
It may not have been another assist for his burgeoning tally, but Ozil’s pass for Monreal in the build-up to the opener was the sort of incisive moment Wenger needed from his star man. With Olympiakos’ defence packed in front of him he was unlikely to get many chances to create, but he made what he did get count.
2015 The Arsenal Football Club Plc
10/11 Campbell 8 out of 10
Another display to silence the doubters, and Campbell may now have overtaken Oxlade-Chamberlain in the pecking order. A brilliant reverse pass from the Costa Rican gave Giroud his second.
2015 Getty Images
11/11 Giroud 9 out of 10
A brilliant display from the striker, who dominated Da Costa and Siovas to give Arsenal a vital outball. His powerful header was too much for Roberto before he shrugged off what seemed a serious injury to make it two. He then secured the hat-trick he deserved from the spot.
2015 The Arsenal Football Club Plc
"You should play your best players where they want to be and I'm sure that'd be in the middle."
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