Ramsey Scores First Goal Since Arsenal Leg Break

On loan Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey scored his first goal since his double leg break for Cardiff on Tuesday night, and now feels he is getting back to his best.

He was playing his sixth game for Cardiff against Leicester City as his one month loan to the Welsh club comes to an end in the latter stages of February.

Ramsey said:

"I wanted to get a goal before I go back and I was glad it came at home

"I feel I'm getting there. That is what these games are for, to get me back in the swing of things and I feel that is coming and I'm getting better and stronger with each game."

Dave Jones, the Cardiff manager is apparently going to ask Arsene Wenger if Ramsey can stay at Cardiff for longer than the agreed loan period, and he is confident that the Arsenal midfielder is over the horrific injury that left him on the sideline for what seemed like ages:

"He is over the injury. What he needs is games and you probably saw in the last 15 minutes is he is not at that top level yet.

"For us it is good enough but for the next level he is probably just a few games still short."

Ramsey required surgery to fix fractures to both his tibia and fibula in his right leg following a challenge from Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross. That happened almost exactly a year ago, on the 27th February 2010, and today, on the 23rd February 2011, Arsenal will take on Stoke City once again - this time at the Emirates in a bid to win another three points and gain ground on Manchester United in the title race.

Shawcross should prepare himself for a frosty reception, as many Arsenal fans refuse to forgive the high, leg breaking challenge that led to Ramsey's career hitting rock bottom.
Arsenal fans will however be delighted that their starlet is well on his way and back on track to breaking into the Arsenal first team again, and in the future helping them to some trophies. It is always great to see injured players come back and be successful, and I wish Ramsey all the best.

Stoke Manager Complains Arsenal are less Disciplined than Stoke

Arsene Wenger has complained in the past about Stoke City's aggressive play and crunching tackles, especially after their defender Ryan Shawcross broke Aaron Ramsey's leg. But now, Tony Pulis has hit back at Arsenal and Wenger ahead of the match between the two teams at the Emirates on the week-end.

Pulis said:

"Arsenal have got more red cards than us this season, more yellows than us and committed more fouls,"

"It'd also be nice to tell the ref that before Saturday - I just have? Good! People have perceptions and you struggle to change those.

"You speak to the layman and its 'bad old Stoke going to The Emirates.' But the facts don't back up that."

Pulis has obviously looked up the statistics on the two teams in preparation, because what he said is correct. Arsenal have conceded 224 fouls this season to Stoke's 194, and the Gunners have received 4 red cards to the Potters' 1.
The statistics are true, but many of the yellow and red cards Arsenal have received were from silly challenges and not dangerous ones. Wenger agrees:

"He's right. We've got more yellow cards. It's surprising about our yellow cards. Like the other night (against Manchester United) we picked up yellow cards but I thought it was a fair game."

Pulis and Wenger have often had a difference in opinion when it comes to discipline. Wenger and Arsenal fans were furious with the horrific challenge that left the Welsh midfielder, Aaron Ramsey with a terrible broken leg which threatened his career. Pulis argued that his player didn't purposely injure Ramsey, and Shawcross "has no bad blood in him whatsoever", while Wenger called on the FA to act swiftly to severely  punish Shawcross for the tackle.

Pulis is obviously frustrated with the reputation his team have when it comes to discipline, and although Ramsey is now healed from his leg break, the anger that sparked from the orignal tackle is still verymuch in the air. Stoke shouldn't be surprised if certain players are get a frosty reception from the Arsenal fans on Saturday.

De Jong dropped from Holland for Ben Arfa Leg Break

The Break (Click to enlarge)

Bert Van Marwijk, the Holland coach, has dropped Nigel de Jong from his Holland squad because of what he called "a wild and unnecessary offence" after the Manchester City midfielder broke Hatem Ben Arfas leg.

The incident occurred in the third minute of Sunday's game between Manchester City and Newcastle. At first, the tackle seemed fair - and was deemed fair by the referee. There was no free-kick and no yellow card for the tackle - the game just carried on. But as Ben Arfa stayed down, screaming in agony and desperately trying to hold his leg together, the referee had to stop the game, and as the replays were shown, it became clear that the tackle was very hard, and very needless.

De Jong is building - or has built, a reputation for being a little too hefty in the challenge. The World Cup, for example. The outrageous fly-kick which he performed on Xabi Alonso in the final was not the only dangerous, and silly challenge in which he showcased his immense talent of hurting people (and getting away with it). Bert Van Marwijk has acknowledged this, and has decided, that if the referees aren't going to punish the Dutchman - he will.

"I've seen the pictures back. It was a wild and unnecessary offence. He went in much too hard. It is unfortunate, especially since he does not need to do it.

Ben Arfa receives Oxygen

The funny thing is that the referee did not even show a yellow card for it. Apparently, there are other standards. But I have a problem with the way Nigel needlessly looks to push the limit. I am going to speak to him"

Ben Arfa meanwhile, will take roughly about six months to recover from a broken tibia and fibula. The young man hopes to be back, playing for Newcastle soon, as he is enjoying life in England so much. He is only on a years long loan from Marseille, but after his wonderful debut goal, and lively performances so far, Newcastle may reward him with a permanent contract - if Marseille agree.