Friday 10 July 2015 15:24, UK
Aaron Ramsey has thrown down the gauntlet to Chelsea claiming Arsenal are ready to mount a serious Premier League title challenge next season.
Ramsey believes the arrival of goalkeeper Petr Cech from Chelsea could prove to be the key signing in helping Arsenal wrestle the title away from Jose Mourinho's side.
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, Ramsey said: “He (Cech) is a great signing and has been there and done it with Chelsea.
“He has a lot of experience in the big games which will help us, he's a top-class goalkeeper and still has a lot of qualities and can offer a lot to this team. I can only see good things coming from him and him having an effect on this team.
“We have a great squad at the moment as long as we keep everyone fit, our form in the second half of last season was good but it's what you need throughout the whole season to compete.
“Hopefully we can do that and get off to a good start this season and put ourselves in a great position early on and we know we have the players and the quality to hurt other teams and get points.
“There is no question about our ability but it's about whether we can keep everyone fit and I am fairly confident we can. Chelsea were top mainly all the way through, they hardly slipped up and that is what we have to try and do.”
Ramsey says he hopes Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will play him in his favourite position of central midfield this season after spending the end of the last campaign out on the right.
He added: "Of course I prefer the middle and I make no secret of that. I was asked to do a job at the back end of last season on the right by the manager and I felt I did and had an impact in games. But my favourite position is in the middle and that is what I want to get back too."
Ramsey, who has a long-term contract with Arsenal, admits he was flattered by reports linking him with a move to European champions Barcelona.
He said: “Obviously it is very nice to hear that I have been linked with one of the best teams in the world but I am under contract with Arsenal and feel that this team is definitely going places. We have a fantastic few years ahead and hopefully we can go on and win a few things with Arsenal."
The Gunners begin their pre-season campaign with a trip to the Far East next week where they will play Singapore XI in the Asia trophy on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports HD1.
Watch Arsenal v Singapore XI, live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Wednesday, July 13, from 1.30pm.
