Premier League hero names Aaron Ramsey as future Arsenal manager

Saunders has made his admiration for Oxford head coach Ramsey evident as he tips the former Wales international for managerial success.

Ramsey arrived in OX4 in June and has impressed during the U’s first six League One matches, winning three and losing just once as the team sits pretty in 10th with numerous games in hand on the teams above.

The early positivity has come despite being hit with a temporary transfer ban in the summer, only improving the ex-Arsenal man’s pedigree early in his managerial career.

Fellow countryman and former Oxford forward Saunders coached Ramsey with Wales for three years at the same time as five-time UEFA Champions League winner with Real Madrid, Gareth Bale.

Aaron Ramsey won over 80 caps for Wales (Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire)

Saunders exclusively told the Oxford Mail, on behalf of BetSelect: “When you’re in your first job and they put a transfer embargo on you straight after taking it, it’s like tying your hands behind your back because obviously something’s wrong with the team.

“When they get relegated, the morale’s wrong or you’ve got to work out how can you get this team to bounce back from the disappointment that’s hanging over them.

“Leicester couldn’t get over the disappointment of getting relegated and you end up getting relegated again.

“I think his presence has lifted the club.

“Everyone knows how ambitious he is as a manager.

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“And he’ll probably be thinking to himself, ‘I want to be manager of Arsenal one day’. That’s not a slight on Oxford, but he’ll probably try and do as well as he can.

“If he gets Oxford up to the Championship and the timing’s right, I wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up manager of Arsenal one day.”

Ramsey has drawn plaudits from fans and onlookers alike not just for how impressive the U’s have been on the pitch, but for his professionalism off it throughout the transfer embargo and transfer sagas in recent months.

Former Oxford United striker Dean Saunders playing in a charity match at Oxford City this summer (Image: Oxford City FC)

The 35-year-old has always been recognised as a standout athlete, captaining Arsenal on occasion as well as Wales.

“And I have to say, if my daughter come on with Aaron Ramsey, I wouldn’t be disappointed,” Saunders added.

“What a nice lad. He is a nice lad and always respectful.

“He’s had a great career and he broke his leg when he was young playing for Arsenal and eventually got over it and had a great career with Wales.

“He’s always been a student of the game and I’m not surprised he’s doing well.”