Wenger plans excited me, reveals Ramsey after completing Arsenal move

At 17, the Wales midfielder was one of the hottest properties in the British transfer market this summer, and Cardiff reluctantly agreed to let him talk to Barclays Premier League club after three, the other being Everton, met their £5million valuation.

However, the prospect of working with Wenger - who has nurtured so many talented youngsters and personally met with Ramsey when Arsenal flew him out to Switzerland - proved even more of a lure than joining last season's Premier League and European champions. 

Emirates new boy: Aaron Ramsey is delighted to have signed for Arsenal

"I am so happy to have signed for Arsenal. I am joining one of the biggest clubs in the world and can't wait to meet my new team-mates," said Ramsey after his move was officially confirmed. "I recently met with Arsene Wenger and he was a big factor in my decision to join Arsenal. 

"He talked to me for a long time about the club and the plans for the future, which really excites me."  

Wenger has always put his faith in youth, although that was not enough last season as the young Gunners came up just short in the race for the title and in Europe.  

Those honest discussions with Ramsey - who impressed as a substitute during the FA Cup final defeat against Portsmouth at Wembley - convinced him to opt for north London instead of the north-west and an immediate chance to make an impact on the first team rather than wait in line at Old Trafford, in a deal which actually would have seen him loaned back out to the Coca-Cola Championship club next season. 

However, the teenager knows he cannot rest on his laurels if he is to cement a place in Wenger's first team at Emirates Stadium alongside the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott.  

He said: "Arsenal is a club which always gives young players an opportunity at the highest level of the game and I am going to work my hardest to be part of future successes here." 

Thinking of home: Cesc Fabregas - on Euro 2008 duty with Spain - hopes Alexander Hleb will stay at Arsenal

Ramsey came through the youth ranks at Ninian Park, and admitted it was something of a wrench to leave the Wales club.

"It was a really difficult decision to leave Cardiff City, they are my local club with great supporters and I would just like thank everyone at Cardiff City for their support and help in my early career," he said.

"I will still look out for their results and there will always be a place in my heart for the Bluebirds."  

The capture of Ramsey is something of a coup for Wenger, snatching the promising youngster from under the nose of rival Sir Alex Ferguson. 

"Aaron Ramsey is a young player who has shown huge potential," said the Arsenal manager. He is still only 17, but has already shown that he is a very intelligent and mature player with great quality. 

"Although he mainly plays in midfield, Aaron is a versatile player and can also play across the defence. We are all looking forward to welcoming Aaron to the club for our pre-season preparations." 

Wenger is keen to add more players to his squad before they depart on Gunners' pre-season training camp in Austria at the end of July. 

However, Bayern Munich and Barcelona continue to be linked with a move for winger Alexander Hleb. Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas - currently on international duty with an impressive Spain squad at Euro 2008 - hopes the Belarussian will stay at Emirates Stadium.

"I have always said that Hleb is an incredible footballer and what he has done is underrated, well, everything that he does, because he is still an Arsenal player," Fabregas told Spanish daily newspaper El Pais.  

"That kind of footballer deserves more credit, but I tell it to you, he is an incredible footballer. I hope we will carry on playing together for years."  

Wenger is expected to tie up a £13million deal for long-time target Samir Nasri, the Marseille midfielder, after Euro 2008 while Ivory Coast international Gervinho claims Arsenal have made inquiries to Le Mans about his availability. 

Reports in Italy continue to line up Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor with a move to AC Milan, although Wenger - at the European Championship as a media pundit - last week gave any notion of letting last season's leading scorer leave short shrift. 

Arsenal, meanwhile, have paid tribute to former player Derek Tapscott, who died aged 75. Welshman "Tappy" signed in 1954 from Barry Town and played some 132 games for the Gunners.