Chris Gunter hits back at vicious attacks on his Wales team-mate Aaron Ramsey from Arsenal fans
Gunners midfielder's room-mate and best man launches staunch defence of criticism
CHRIS GUNTER has hit back at vicious attacks on Aaron Ramsey from angry Arsenal fans.
Supporters have been hammering midfielder Ramsey over recent weeks, particularly following the club’s disastrous 3-1 defeat by West Brom.
Piers Morgan has led the way and, after the loss at The Hawthorns, tweeted: “Ramsey sums up this team — spineless, heartless, mediocre.”
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And under-fire Rambo was also booed by the Emirates crowd when he limped off injured against Watford in January.
But Reading defender Gunter — Ramsey’s Wales room-mate and best man at his wedding — has launched a staunch defence of his pal, who was named in the team of the tournament at Euro 2016.
Gunter said: “Aaron proved his quality in the summer on the top stage. There’s not many international sides he wouldn’t get into so if he has been getting a bit of criticism of late, just tell Piers Morgan to watch a video of the Euros.
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“Piers is not in football, is he? You have to separate people like that, especially in this day and age with social media. Everybody wants followers, views, likes and this type of stuff. How much is somebody like that just doing it for the attention?
“For what he’s done at Arsenal and knowing him as a player, he does not need to prove how good he is to anyone because I’ve seen it for 16 years.
“A couple of years ago he was scoring every week and the best player Arsenal had.
Suddenly, because Arsenal are not doing so well, it doesn’t mean he’s now a worse player. He is fine and we speak every day so it’s not something that bothers him. You find out very quickly in football who to listen to. The only people you need to impress are your team-mates and manager.
“It’s the way football is now. Wayne Rooney is the all-time top scorer for Man United and England. If he gets stick then anybody can.”
Gunter, Ramsey and Wales travel to Dublin today for the crunch World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland tomorrow night.
And the Royals full-back claims Rambo is as important as talisman Gareth Bale.
Gunter added: “People take Aaron for granted in terms of the things he does with the ball, the things he sees and the passes he plays.
“When he isn’t on the pitch you realise even more we’re a better team with him in it.”
Crystal Palace midfielder Joe Ledley could miss out, with wife Ruby due to give birth on Monday. Keeper Wayne Hennessey, Ledley’s room-mate for club and country, said: “He’s hoping he doesn’t get the call until the day after the game.”