Aaron Ramsey hails Arsenal spirit

Aaron Ramsey has suggested that Arsenal's opening-day defeat to West Ham United proved a blessing in disguise as the Gunners bounced back by beating Crystal Palace.

Olivier Giroud and a Damien Delaney own goal, either side of Joel Ward's first-half equaliser, saw Arsene Wenger's side respond to their critics with a 2-1 win at Selhurst Park yesterday.

Arsenal were handed a reality check after losing to the Hammers at the Emirates, having enjoyed a promising pre-season campaign, and Ramsey says that losing last week has strengthened them.

"We did really well at the back end of last season," he told the club's official website.

"We had a good pre-season and then there is always disappointment in defeat but that might be a blessing in disguise [because] we now know how hard it is.

"You have to compete every game and we managed to do that today, we put in the effort and we got our rewards."

Arsenal host Liverpool in North London next week.