Wenger praises Aaron Ramsey impacts in Sunderland win

Arsenal delivered a clinical display on Saturday when they thrashed Sunderland 4-1 but Arsene Wenger is more excited about the return of Aaron Ramsey from injury.

The Wales international, who had been sidelined since the opening-day defeat to Liverpool, came on as a second-half substitute.

Pleased to see Ramsey return, Arsène Wenger praised the Welshman’s impact.

“He is a player who is box-to-box so overall he pushes the team forward,” Wenger said. “That is what we want in our side. He can play in holding midfield, he can play if needed on the flanks as well. That’s where he is not happy but he can play there as well.

“He has a tremendous drive, he’s a bit Lampard-ish you know, where he likes to get in the box, likes to shoot from distance and has similar quality.”

Ramsey is now in contention for the Champions League game against Ludogorets – but Wenger is unsure whether the midfielder is ready to start.

“I don’t know,” Wenger said. “I will have to analyse all that now, with Xhaka back. We play now in the Champions League and then we play Tottenham.

“So I have to see who I rest and who I play without diminishing the chance of the team to win the game.”