Arsenal vs Manchester City: Aaron Ramsey hopes to never play on an artificial pitch again after suffering ankle injury in Andorra

Ramsey is a concern ahead of the Gunners' match against the reigning Premier League champions this Saturday

Phil Blanche
Thursday 11 September 2014 09:21 BST
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Aaron Ramsey
Aaron Ramsey (Press Association Images)

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Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey hopes he never plays on an artificial surface again as he battles to be fit for Manchester City's visit to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Ramsey rolled an ankle in the closing stages of Wales' Euro 2016 victory in Andorra on Tuesday night and should know in the next 24 hours whether he is fit enough to line up against the reigning Barclays Premier League champions.

"I hope that's the last time I play on a plastic pitch," said Ramsey. "The pitch was very hard, there was no give in it, and I rolled my ankle a little bit.

"I could feel it, but hopefully it will be nothing and I'll be available for Saturday.

"Manchester City at home, those are the games you want to play in so hopefully it won't be a problem."

If Ramsey is passed fit he will line-up for the first time with Danny Welbeck, Arsenal's £16m deadline-day signing from Manchester United.

Welbeck will be full of confidence after scoring twice in England's 2-0 European Championship qualifying victory over Switzerland on Monday night and Ramsey believes the former United man will add something different to the Arsenal attack.

"He showed for England what a good player he is with those two goals," Ramsey said.

"He's a player who is very good technically, can get in behind teams and score goals.

"I think he will bring something different - the runs in behind, his pace.

"His power and his finishing will benefit us for the rest of the season."

Ramsey admitted Wales struggled for cohesion against the minnows of Andorra but insisted the result was all that mattered.

"Due to the pitch we couldn't get into our stride," Ramsey said. "Normally we play quick, keep it on the floor, play around teams, stuff like that.

Gareth Bale scored Wales' late winner in Andorra
Gareth Bale scored Wales' late winner in Andorra (Getty Images)

"But you couldn't play the ball quickly and I just don't know how you're meant to play football on that pitch to be honest.

"Cyprus won in Bosnia and I think in this group teams will take points off each other and a lot of teams will struggle here as well on that pitch."

PA

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