The simple stat that shows how much Arsenal will miss Aaron Ramsey

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Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal has had the most touches in the Premier League this season, with just Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea in close proximity.

This morning Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger confirmed that the club will be without the services of Aaron Ramsey for the next four weeks.

The Welshman’s latest injury is to his hamstring. While Wenger says it will be just a month it has been reported that six weeks could be a more accurate prediction, considering Ramsey’s history in the injury department.

Last season he spent almost two months longer out of action than originally estimated after picking up a groin injury on Boxing Day – and Arsenal struggled without the Welshman on the pitch.

Will they suffer again this season?

According to one very simple, if not arbitrary statistic, it would certainly seem as though he will be missed at the club.

Ramsey has had possession of the ball more than any other player in the Premier League this campaign. There are no other Arsenal players in the top ten and the nearest to him is Calum Chambers in 18th. The next midfielder is Mesut Ozil in 20th, with 441 touches – quite far behind the impressive 607 for Ramsey.

This weekend they take on Chelsea, with the man in second place behind Ramsey on that list in top form.

Cesc Fabregas is now likely to dominate the midfield battle without Ramsey there to counteract the former Arsenal star. In his absence the onus will be on the likes of Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla to do the job in the centre of the park.

But the fact remains that without Ramsey’s ability to get on the ball, Arsenal could be doing a lot of chasing this weekend … and for a month after at least.