The Wales midfielder, who turns 20 on Boxing Day, played 45 minutes for the reserves against Wolves this week - his first competitive action since suffering an horrific broken leg in a challenge with Stoke's Ryan Shawcross at the Britannia Stadium on February 27. While the former Cardiff youngster, who joined Arsenal in a £5million deal during June 2008, has set his sights firmly on a regular place in Arsene Wenger's first-team squad, he accepts he must be patient. "I have been waiting for this a long time, and I couldn't wait to get out onto the pitch," Ramsey told Arsenal TV Online. "Obviously it is great to be back playing my first game and I felt it went quite well "I was blowing a bit after about 20 minutes, so I have got some work to do in that department, but I feel very good about myself." There is an outside chance Ramsey could be included in the squad for next week's Carling Cup quarter-final against Wigan at Emirates Stadium. Ramsey, though, will continue to take things one step at a time. "The only way you can get match fitness is by playing games," he said. "In training, I felt I was as fit as all the rest, but being out there proved I was a bit behind. "That is to be expected and the more games I play, the more match fit I am going to get. "After you have been out for nine months, your muscles are still adapting to the hard training and games, so for some players they can get injuries which set them back for a few weeks, but hopefully I can stay injury free. "I have another few reserve games planned, with 60 minutes and then a full game - then I can try to fight for my place again. "I am not going to jump back in, it is going to take a bit of time. "But as soon as I feel I am match fit, I am going to try to get back into the starting XI." Ramsey maintains there are no psychological barriers to overcome. "I have seen the specialist and he was happy for me to go back into contact, so I don't have a problem with it," the Wales international said. "I had a few kicks on the leg and it felt good." Ramsey insisted: "The tackle is out of my head now. I just want to concentrate on trying to get back into the first team and to play competitive games for them. "Hopefully now I can do that in the near future. I just want to play as much as I can and try to make up for the many months I have been out." Ramsey, though, accepts he will not be able to just walk back into the Arsenal side. England youngster Jack Wilshere has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign, while Alex Song, Denilson and Abou Diaby, currently out with an ankle injury, have all offered back-up to skipper Cesc Fabregas. "Competition is to be expected at a club like Arsenal," said Ramsey, who rejected offers from both Manchester United and Everton to develop his game under Wenger. "Jack has done well, he went out on loan last season and got some good experience in and has proved he is a very good player. "But it is not just him, we have got a lot of competition in the middle, which is a good thing for us. "We have to train hard every day and when we get the opportunities we have to prove we are good enough to start."
