Ramsey feels like 'old self' again

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey feels he is getting back to his old self after a testing spell both on and off the field for the Wales captain. Ramsey came off the bench to net a well-taken goal in the Gunners' 3-1 win over Olympiacos at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, which put them in control of Group B and safely on course for the knockout stage. The 21-year-old has certainly been through more than his fair share of personal battles - fighting back from an horrific leg injury which ruled him out for almost a year and then, in November 2011, dealing with the death of Wales manager Gary Speed. Ramsey, though, is now fully focused on producing consistent displays for Arsene Wenger's side, who will look to get their Premier League campaign back on track at West Ham United this weekend. "I am feeling good and confident again, getting back to my old self which got me here in the first place. Hopefully now this will kick me on again and I will keep on improving throughout the season," he said. "It is always difficult to overcome things like that in life. A lot happened last year for me, there were loads of things going on off the pitch as well. However, now I am feeling happy and hopefully that's showing in my performances." Returning from injury Ramsey had short loan spells at both Nottingham Forest and former club Cardiff City after recovering from a double leg fracture following a tackle by Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross. "It makes you stronger and it is getting over the mental side of it," said Ramsey, who was part of the Team GB Olympic squad. "As soon as you get through that, the confidence comes back and it's a thing of the past. "You are not sharp in your mind and you take a bit longer to think things through on the pitch which normally come naturally. Little things like that make such a big difference. I was patient. I didn't want to rush back, I wanted to make sure everything was correct." Ramsey's return to form adds more competition for places in the Arsenal midfield, with Abou Diaby sidelined for a couple of weeks with another niggling injury. England international Jack Wilshere played his first match for Arsenal in more than a year in the U-21 side earlier this week, while Emmanuel Frimpong is also continuing his rehabilitation. Ramsey said: "We haven't had a full squad for a long time, so it will be good to have competition. Jack's been out for such a long time and so has Frimpong - I know what they have been through. "I have experienced it myself and it is not a good thing. You get down and it seems like it is a long way away, but they are close now. They are good players to keep others on their toes." FIFA