Ramsey rediscovering old form

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey feels he is getting back to his old self after a testing spell both on and off the field for the Wales captain.

Ramsey came off the bench to net a well-taken goal in the Gunners' 3-1 win over Olympiacos at Emirates Stadium, which put them in control of Group B and safely on course for the knockout stage.

"I am feeling good and confident again, getting back to my old self which got me here in the first place. Hopefully now this will kick me on again and I will keep on improving throughout the season," he said.

The 21-year-old has certainly been through more than his fair share of personal battles - fighting back from an horrific leg injury which ruled him out for almost a year and then, in November 2011, dealing with the death of Wales manager Gary Speed.

Ramsey, though, is now fully focused on producing consistent displays for Arsene Wenger's side, who will look to get their Barclays Premier League campaign back on track at West Ham this weekend.

"It is always difficult to overcome things like that in life," he continued. "A lot happened last year for me, there were loads of things going on off the pitch as well.

"However, now I am feeling happy and hopefully that's showing in my performances."

Ramsey had short loan spells at both Nottingham Forest and former club Cardiff after recovering from a double leg fracture following a tackle by Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross.

"It makes you stronger and it is getting over the mental side of it," said Ramsey, who was part of the Team GB Olympic squad. "As soon as you get through that, the confidence comes back and it's a thing of the past.

"You are not sharp in your mind and you take a bit longer to think things through on the pitch which normally come naturally. Little things like that make such a big difference I was patient. I didn't want to rush back, I wanted to make sure everything was correct."