Wales and Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has told his English team-mates that they should be worried of Wales overtaking them in the FIFA World rankings.
SEE MORES:
Arsenal predicted line-up for FA Cup semi-final v Reading: All Guns blazing as Wenger picks strongest XI
Arsenal news
Liverpool & Arsenal target agrees summer transfer exit from Nou Camp
Ramsey’s nation climbed to 22 in the rankings after an impressive 3-0 away win over Israel last month, reaching their highest ever position to move within eight places of England.
Chris Coleman’s side remain unbeaten in their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign and would be able to start thinking of their second ever major tournament appearance, after their only outing at the 1958 World Cup.
Aaron Ramsey admits the banter with Arsenal’s English team mates such as Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere and Danny Welbeck is already rife on the training ground.
Quoted in The Daily Mail Ramsey said: “A few of the English lads joke we will never make it but we may have a game against them there.
“I hope we can make it and we are catching them up. It is an exciting time, we have jumped up the world rankings again and it has been quite a turnaround from the time Gary Speed took over.
“The progression has been amazing and you can see the confidence in the group.”
Wales were the biggest climbers in the newly published FIFA rankings following some impressive performances, which have put them in a strong position to qualify for the European Championships in France next summer.
The Dragons could go some way to securing an unbelievable top seed in the tournament should they upset the odds against the side third in the rankings, Belgium, at Cardiff in June.
The midfielder added: “I have always enjoyed meeting up with Wales and representing my country.
“It is nice to be there with your own people from your country and represent them.
“It is a nice break away from club football and a really enjoyable atmosphere.”