The 17-year-old Welsh midfielder was one of the hottest properties in the British transfer market this summer, and opted to join the Gunners from Cardiff City ahead of Manchester United and Everton.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has always put his faith in youth, although that was not enough last season as the young Gunners came up just short in the race for the Barclays Premier League title and in Europe.

The French tactician - who has nurtured so many talented youngsters and personally met with Ramsey when Arsenal flew him out to Switzerland - was able to convince the young midfielder his future would be best served at Emirates Stadium.

Those honest discussions were enough to convince Ramsey - who impressed as a substitute during the FA Cup final defeat against Portsmouth at Wembley last month - to opt for North London rather than wait in line at Old Trafford.

very intelligent

However, the teenager knows he cannot rest on his laurels if he is to cement a place in Wenger's first team alongside the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott.

"Arsenal is a club which always gives young players an opportunity at the highest level of the game and I am going to work my hardest to be part of future successes here," said Ramsey, whose £5million move was formally completed on Friday afternoon.

"I recently met with Arsene Wenger and he was a big factor in my decision to join Arsenal.

"He talked to me for a long time about the club and the plans for the future, which really excites me."

The capture of Ramsey is something of a coup for Wenger, snatching the promising youngster from under the nose of United rival Sir Alex Ferguson, whose side won the Champions League last season to add to the league title.

The Arsenal manager said: "He is still only 17, but has already shown that he is a very intelligent and mature player with great quality."

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