Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey picks Graham Kavanagh as boyhood hero

Aaron Ramsey has named former Cardiff City midfielder Graham Kavanagh – and not any of Arsenal’s legend – as his boyhood hero.

The Gunners midfielder has been one of the Premier League’s standout performers this season after scoring seven goals in 11 top-flight appearances for the north London side.

Ramsey has scored 22 goals in 168 appearances for the Gunners after moving to the Premier League leaders in a £10m deal from Cardiff City in 2008.

Whilst the Wales international may have been expected to name an Arsenal legend, such as Dennis Bergkamp or Patrick Vieira as his hero, Ramsey named former Republic of Ireland midfielder Kavanagh as his inspiration.

“It was a guy called Graham Kavanagh when I used to go to watch Cardiff play a lot,” the Arsenal midfielder said in apromotional video for adidas.

“He was the captain of the club at the time and the person that I used to look up to.”

Kavanagh, 39, is currently in charge of League One outfit Carlise United, whilst Ramsey has scored 11 goals in 18 appearances this term.