Arteta leadership skills laid bare amid Arsenal title charge - "second to none"

27 March 2023 , 15:39

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Aaron Ramsey is the new Wales captain (Image: Getty Images)

Aaron Ramsey is drawing inspiration from Mikel Arteta's captaincy at Arsenal as he prepares to lead Wales out at home on Tuesday night.

Ex-Gunners midfielder Ramsey was named Wales' new skipper earlier this month after Gareth Bale's retirement. He led Wales to a superb point away in Croatia in his first game since his original spell as captain previously for 18 months after Gary Speed gave him the armband.

Ramsey, 32, who has 79 caps, is undaunted at succeeding Wales’ record scorer and appearance holder Bale as skipper. He feels much better equipped for the role now after Speed surprisingly handed him the Wales captaincy in March 2011 aged just 20.

And Ramsey says playing in midfield alongside the Premier League leader's present boss Arteta, who spent five years at Arsenal from 2011 and led the Gunners to consecutive FA Cups in 2014 and 2015, made a huge impression.

He said: "Mikel was my captain for a few years there. You could see his leadership qualities - the way he handled himself was second to none. You could see back then that he was always going to be a manager one day.

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"The way he thought and saw the game and how intense he was as well. It is unbelievable what he’s done there, hopefully they can go all the way."

Aaron Ramsey played alongside Mikel Arteta at Arsenal (Getty)

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Ramsey and Wales' squad were ecstatic after Nathan Broadhead's late injury-time equaliser in Croatia in their opening Euro 2024 qualifier. Now the star can’t wait to captain Rob Page's side in Cardiff in front of his family and eldest boy Sonny who is mascot for Latvia’s visit.

Ramsey added: "To lead the boys out again has felt unbelievable.

"It was right up there with the special nights we have had in recent years. I’ve experienced a lot of things in the last 12 years, it feels right now, I am ready to take this opportunity and to grab it with both hands. I was a lot more nervous back then.

"It will be a really proud moment for me to lead the team out in front of family and friends at a special stadium. My son is really excited and will be coming out with me. It is going to be incredible but we have a job to do. I am hoping this will be a special campaign."

Tuesday night's game in the Welsh capital is a 32,000 sell-out and is the nations' first-ever competitive meeting. Ranked 133rd in the world by FIFA, Latvia have only once before reached the Euros, back in 2004.

Ramsey added: "It is important to take care of our home games which we have done so well in recent campaigns. We know the pressure is on us to take the initiative in the game. I am sure if we are mentally right and we have a good night."

James Nursey