Wenger lauds Ramsey

Arsene Wenger lauded the com-posure of match-winner Aaron Ramsey after the substitute gave Arsenal a precious Champions League victory with an injury-time winner at Olympique Marseille on Wednesday.

Ramsey’s goal, two minutes into injury time, came at the end of a dreary encounter that had been drifting towards a goalless draw and that would have kept Marseille two points clear of the Gunners ahead of the return fixture on November 1.

However, the Wales captain’s composed finish from Gervinho’s flick means Arsenal now lead Group F by a point and are on course to reach the last 16 for a 12th successive season.

“When you see Aaron Ramsey in front of goal, you know you have a chance of scoring because in my opinion he’s a real goalscorer,” Wenger said.

Ramsey has been a regular starter in an Arsenal team traumatised by a bleak opening to the season, which has seen them annihilated 8-2 at Manchester United and restricted to just three wins in the league.

Injuries, suspensions and the sales of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri have obliged Wenger to rely on the 20-year-old and Wenger said he was keen to avoid over-burdening his player.

“I don’t want to overplay him,” said the Arsenal coach.

“He was injured for a year (in 2010), and Jack Wilshere played a lot last year (in Ramsey’s place). I try to be more cautious when I can.”

Arsenal have now won five of their last six games but Wenger was careful not to play up the significance of Wednesday’s result when it was put to him that it could be the match to spark their season into life.

“It’s a little step forward but we have to stay humble because we’re a team that has to continue to grow,” he said.

“The next game against Marseille will be very important.”