Thread by @FourFourTweet

Aaron Ramsey. Arsenal legend.

A thread.

How do you judge a legend? When can you defy a legend?

Trophies? Goals? Ability? Loyalty?

Aaron Ramsey has all the above, and more.

Cardiff’s youngest ever first team player, Ramsey moved to Arsenal in 2008 for a fee of £5m after the Gunners fought off interest from Manchester United - Arsène Wenger playing a huge part, flying him and his family to discuss the plans he had for the player.

He marked his Premier League debut against Blackburn with an assist, a trend that would continue throughout his mid-late career at Arsenal.

Meanwhile, his first goal for the club came away against Fenerbahçe, making him the fifth youngest scorer in Champions League history.

27 February 2010 - the darkest of days in Ramsey’s career to date.

A double fracture in his lower right leg, following a lunge from Ryan Shawcross - He spent nine months on the sidelines before returning to reserve action at Arsenal.

Loan spells at Nottingham Forest and Cardiff followed.

2011-2013, we saw shades of what Ramsey was capable of.

A flurry of assists, a number of Man of the Match displays and Player of the Month awards.

It was the 2013-2014 season where we saw Ramsey at his best. The goalscoring, box-to-box midfielder Arsenal fans knew he could be.

Across all competitions, he netted 16 times and provided 10 assists.

Goals against Liverpool, Norwich and Dortmund spring to mind.

By November he had scored 13 goals in 21 appearances for club and country. However, a thigh strain ruled him out for the three months following.

A sucker blow just as he was making strides once more.

17 May 2014, Ramsey scored the winning goal in the 109th minute of the FA Cup Final against Hull City, ending Arsenal's nine-year wait for a trophy.

He was named Arsenal’s Player of the Season.

Another FA Cup victory in 2015 followed and on 27 May 2017.

He scored the winning goal in the 2017 FA Cup Final - a 2–1 win over Chelsea.

Two FA Cup winning goals to your name - a feat not many can claim.

He is the highest scoring midfielder in the club’s modern history - his 50th came in Arsène Wenger’s 800th game in charge of Arsenal.

Across 11 years with the club, he’s made 359 appearances, scoring 61 goals and providing 57 assists.

A goal contribution on average every three games or so.

Both on and off the field, he's been a credit to himself and his family.

A well-known supporter of the WWF, his passion for saving Africa's endangered elephants and rhinos is something not often talked about.

A model pro. Someone who always gave 100% to the cause.

Never complained, despite being played out of position on many occasions.

Three FA Cups
350+ appearances
100+ goal involvements

He is the definition of a club legend.

All the best in Turin, @aaronramsey