From Graham Thomas in Dinard
Aaron Ramsey has revealed that the wisdom of Arsene Wenger has given him the confidence that Wales could be a surprise package at Euro 2016.
Ramsey and Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale will spearhead the Welsh challenge in France as the country contests its first major tournament in almost 60 years.
Chris Coleman’s side open their Euro campaign against Slovakia in Bordeaux on Saturday, before facing England, followed by Russia.
“The manager was pleased for me that we qualified,” said Ramsey.
“He said we could be pretty dangerous over there so hopefully that proves to be right. He’s a wise man.”
Ramsey has been the odd man out in the past as Arsenal players head off for summer tournaments.
But this time the 25-year-old midfielder has joined the Emirates exodus, and he revealed the banter has been flying in the Arsenal dressing room with Wales and England set to clash on June 16.
“Normally I’m on holiday now,” he said.
“When the campaign started and we got those couple of wins early on I kept winding the Arsenal boys up saying ‘I’ll see you in France’.
“The way things were developing it was looking promising. To finally achieve it was great.
“To go in knowing I would actually be playing in the finals…..I can share that experience now with some of the players who’ve done it.
“I know what it’s like with other sports in the country, in the Six Nations the whole nation is there for you.
“I wouldn’t say I was jealous of rugby, but I wanted to experience that same buzz they get from the block where that’s all people talk about.”
Ramsey knows Wales’ first objective is to qualify for the last 16 knock-out stage, but cannot help but eye up the England clash in Lens which promises to be a special occasion.
“I think a win – three points – will probably get you through, maybe in third place,” said Ramsey.
“But we’re determined to go there and not get rolled over.
“We want to make an impression ourselves and show people that we can rise to the occasion.
“A few players and members of staff didn’t want England because of all that goes with it, but I was buzzing when their name came out.
“Perhaps because I play with a few of them, the banter came out really quickly.
I’m excited for it, but the first game is crucial for us.
“We need to get off to a good start and go into that one with full of confidence, because momentum can do a lot for teams.”
