Aaron Ramsey
Aaron Ramsey says Arsenal must be 'streetwise' to win big games against the tougher teams Reuters

Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey has claimed the Gunners will be able to win the Premier League this season should they improve their results in the big matches.

Arsene Wenger's side were top of the league for 128 days during the last campaign after excelling in the first half of the season.

However they finally ended the league behind winners Manchester Ciy and as well Liverpool and Chelsea, following a series of poor results against them – with humiliating defeats at the Etihad Stadium, Anfield and Stamford Bridge.

"It's important in those games [against the top teams], especially in the first half. These places are difficult enough to go to and get results, especially when it's 0-0, never mind when it's two, three or four-nil down in the first 25 minutes," Ramsey said to the Arsenal official website.

"We're going to have to be a lot more streetwise when going to these places and maybe we'll have to sit back in the first half and then the game will open up in the second half and we know we'll create opportunities."

The Arsenal offensive midfielder believes that the new season will be even more difficult and balanced, with at least six teams involved in the title race.

"I think there's going to be about six teams involved right until the wire. It's going to be difficult but I think we have a great team here and great team spirit. We're in a good place at the moment.

"Hopefully we can get off to a good start in the season and put [ourselves] in a good position and hopefully last season where we fell away a bit we'll improve and put that right. [If we do], we'll have a great opportunity," he added.

"Over the last few seasons we have [sold] some of our bigger players but the squad is really settled now and we've done the business early this year. That's helped us to get used to some of the players before the season starts. We've brought in some big, quality names as well so I think that we've done well and we're all looking forward to teaming up together."

Arsenal begin their campaign against Crystal Palace on Saturday just after Tony Pulis resigned from his managerial role on Friday.