Arsenal are now less than a month away from kicking off the new Premier League season with a clash against Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium and returned to action this morning, facing Sydney FC in a pre-season friendly.
The Gunners face three more matches in their tour of Australia and China before returning to North London for the Emirates Cup at the end of July, bringing an end to their pre-season campaign, with the final piece of preparation for the new season coming at Wembley in the Community Shield clash with Chelsea.
Arsenal have added Sead Kolasinac and Alexandre Lacazette to their ranks this summer and intend to continue utilising a three-man defence that excelled in the back-end of the season, which brought the best out of players like Aaron Ramsey.
Now 26, the Welshman has established himself as a key member of Arsenal’s squad, scoring the FA Cup winning goal for the second time in four years in May, and he spoke to reporters about his intention to remain fit and available this season.
“I haven’t set any goals but with this new formation a long season, hopefully an injury-free season. I know what I am capable of doing. If I can stay fit then hopefully it will take care of itself, but no targets, no.”
“I have to perform to the best of my ability to be in this team and that’s what I do – I give my everything every time I’m in the team or going out to train.”
Ramsey struck a brilliant partnership with last summer’s recruit Granit Xhaka following the switch to a three-man defence and the Welshman is set to remain as a core member within Arsenal’s midfield this season, although he faces competition for his spot.
Jack Wilshere, Mohamed Elneny and Francis Coquelin are all candidates to take his position within the side, whilst Oxlade-Chamberlain also intends to secure more opportunities playing centrally.