Why Ramsey has time on the ball

Aaron Ramsey, who grew up in Caerphilly, just north of Cardiff, was a fine rugby union winger. So good, in fact, that St Helens rugby league club wanted to sign him. Luckily for him, and Arsenal, Ramsey associated with association.

But his time on the wing wasn’t wasted. Ramsey learnt that, to beat a man, you have to move – or be able to move – both ways. Rugby wings don’t just fly past people: they check inside, too; leaving 16-stone tackles flailing in their wake. In short, good wingers leave every option open - both in their mind, and their opponent’s.

And that’s what Ramsey does on the football pitch. When Theo Walcott has the ball, for example, you know he’ll knock it past the left-back’s left foot, and run. Problem is, the left-back knows that too.

When Ramsey gets the ball, every one of the pitch’s 360 degrees is an option. He can go right side or left side; backwards or forwards; short or long. Not even Dennis Bergkamp, who played in right-foot channels, did that.

But, of course, being a good rugby wing doesn’t mean you’ll play 44 times for Arsenal before your 19th birthday. Speed, balance, and awareness aren’t enough. Ramsey has something – or two things – that few others share.

How many times, watching football on tv, does the pundit say: “He always has time on the ball”? They said it about Zinedine Zidane; they say it about Xavi and Andreas Iniesta; they say it about Ramsey, too.

It’s not coincidence. The opponents don’t think: “He’s good. Let’s give him time on the ball.” The best players make time by using both feet.

If Zidane received the ball on his right foot, and there were five opponents on the right side of the pitch, he’d switch – instantly – to his left foot. So, instead of playing in the busy right-side of the pitch, he’d play in the empty left-side of the pitch. He hadn’t been given time on the ball; he’d created it.

Not many players do that. Most midfielders – even the best ones – play in the arc of their right foot.

Ramsey is like Zidane. If a shaven-headed full back is charging for his right-foot, invading those 180 degrees, he has the balance, and feet, to play in the other 180 degrees. Just watch the 2008 FA Cup final: even as a 17-year-old, against a three-man midfield including Lassana Diarra, he had time on the ball.

At Arsenal, he’s moved ahead of Denilson in Arsene Wenger’s mind. He’s even made Abou Diaby, after four years – four years! – look like a footballer, instead of a basketball player on the wrong court. It's amazing what competition does.

Aaron Ramsey has arrived, a season earlier than expected. When Cesc Fabregas is sold to Barcelona, this summer or next, Arsenal have a replacement.