Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has promised to dedicate the Gunners potential FA Cup success on Saturday to his grandmother, who passed away last month at the age of 84.
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The North London side face Reading at Wembley, looking to book a potential final date against either Liverpool or Aston Villa. Ramsey and co go into the game as heavy favourites, but will know not to underestimate their Championship opponents, having struggled against Wigan in last year’s semi.
Ramsey’s maternal nan Eileen was, according to The Guardian, very close with him, even convincing the 24-year-old to buy her Sky Sports so she could watch his games, after complaining that the matches were not on ‘normal’ television.
Speaking about ‘Nanny Leany’, as he called her, he told reporters: “She was an incredible woman, who meant an awful lot to me. She lost her husband early in her life and she had to raise seven kids on her own.
“In those days, it was an incredibly difficult thing to do but she managed to do that. She was always happy, making jokes, and she had that sort of outlook on life. She always believed in me and gave me reassurance. It has just been a difficult time.”
The Welshman has been steadily improving after a slow start to the season, and will be looking to go out on a high by helping the Gunners retain the FA Cup. His nine goals in 33 games have been enough to inspire their recent run of form, something he hopes will continue.
He added: “We go into the game against Reading as big favourites and we have to be switched on and start well, which we have been doing lately. We have to focus on ourselves and, if we manage ourselves correctly, we will go through.”