Some good and theWales 2016

TO some Arsenal fans, Aaron Ramsey is probably to blame for Brexit, Donald Trump’s elevation to the US Presidency, global warming and even the dropping of the lime barrel from the Milk Tray box circa ‘79.

Put it this way. The moment Monday night’s 3-0 loss to Crystal Palace was over, social media was in overdrive – with Ramsey getting it in the neck for captaining Arsene Wenger’s failing team during the second half.

I mean, how dare the Welshman take over an armband worn down the years by such iconic Arsenal leaders as Tony Adams, Patrick Vieira, Pat Rice and Frank McLintock? So the theory went from some critics anyway, conveniently choosing to overlook the fact that Ramsey only came on as a substitute when the Gunners were losing anyway.

Form, of course, is temporary. Class permanent. It was less than a year ago that Ramsey produced one of the greatest performances we have seen from any Welsh midfielder to inspire that never-to-be-forgotten Euro 2016 triumph over Belgium.

He was mesmeric in Lille that night, as he had been during the 3-0 trouncing of Russia a couple of weeks earlier.

Ramsey had been so good amongst the elite in France that he stood out not only because of his bleached blond hair. He made the official team of the tournament and was being tipped for a £60m move to Barcelona.

Fair to say things haven’t exactly gone to plan since. Injuries, coupled with Arsenal’s refusal to pick Ramsey in the 10 playmaking role he occupies so successfully with Wales, mean he hasn’t hit anywhere near those Euro heights.

But what about others in that brilliant Wales team that gave us the greatest summer we have had? Has being Euro 2016 semi-finalists given them the gravitas and confidence to kick on in their careers, or have they had post-France lulls like Ramsey?

We take a look at what has happened to Wales’ key figures in the subsequent eight months...