Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has praised midfielder Aaron Ramsey for his "obsession" to continually develop his game.

The 22-year-old was not a regular starter for the Gunners last season, making 15 of his 36 Premier League appearances off the bench, but he has emerged as one of their key players this campaign, scoring six goals in eight outings.

Wenger feels that confidence and Ramsey's drive to keep on improving are responsible for the Welshman's upturn in form.

"He has a great spirit and he has an obsession - he wants always to be better," Wenger told reporters.

"He had a difficult period in the middle of last season when people became impatient with him and he lost confidence.

"Sometimes you give the players a little rest, they can rebuild that confidence in their game and come back stronger and that is what happened to him."

Ramsey is almost certain to start when Arsenal welcome Stoke City to the Emirates Stadium this Sunday.