Arsenal: Aaron Ramsey wishes teammates speedy recovery but is keen to make his opportunity count

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey's dream of getting an extended run in his preferred central midfield position has come true, but at the cost of long-term injuries to Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin. The midfield duo, who were Arsene Wenger's first choice for the deep-lying midfield role suffered knee ligament injuries in recent weeks and have been ruled out for four and three months respectively, with the former undergoing surgery earlier in the month.

The Spaniard picked up the knee injury during the Gunner's draw against Norwich City, while Coquelin sustained his injury a week before against West Bromwich Albion. The duo have been peripheral figures for Arsenal since last season, and played a key role in Arsenal finishing third and winning the FA Cup for a record 12<sup>th time last season. Mathieu Flamini has come in to deputise for the Frenchman, while Ramsey will take up the role performed by Cazorla.

The Welsh midfielder, who is primarily a central midfielder, has been constantly utilised on the right wing by Wenger, and the midfielder has made it clear that he sees himself in the middle of the park in the long-term. Ramsey is sure to get an extended run in his preferred position and is keen to make it count and make the role his own at least for the rest of the campaign.

"I wish Santi a speedy recovery, and Francis [Coquelin] as well. We have been hit hard by injuries this season but it gives players the opportunities to take," Ramsey said, as quoted by the London Evening Standard.

"I have made no secret that I prefer to play in the middle and hopefully now I can stay there. My performance today [in the 3-1 victory over Sunderland] was good and hopefully I can keep building on that now to play where I prefer to play," the former Cardiff City midfielder added.

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