Pearce impressed by Ramsey talent

Aaron Ramsey lets fly with his equaliser for Wales

England Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce says Wales Under-21 star Aaron Ramsey is "worth his weight in gold".

The Arsenal midfielder, 17, impressed Pearce as Wales lost their European Championship play-off 5-4 on aggregate after a 2-2 draw.

Ramsey scored a 30-yard wonder strike and set up Simon Church for Wales' second in a man-of-the match display.

Pearce said: "People who can score goals out of nothing, like Aaron did to us, are worth their weight in gold."

He added: "Ramsey was instrumental for them, he was a constant threat.

"Not many players force me into an early change but I replaced Lee Cattermole for Fabrice Muamba after half-an-hour in a bid to nullify his threat."

And Wales Under-21 boss Brian Flynn believes Ramsey, who joined Arsenal in the summer from Cardiff, is going to be one of the game's future stars.

"Ramsey can be as good as anyone in Europe," stated Flynn.

"He can only go from strength to strength at Arsenal.

"He is at a very good club because manager Arsene Wenger's record of nurturing young players is second to none - and I know Aaron is happy there.

"His goal against England was unstoppable, they'll be repeating that a lot over the next few years.

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"The pass for Church's strike in the second leg was also sublime but he is more than capable of doing the unexpected."

Now Ramsey will be aiming for his first senior cap in John Toshack's Wales side and Flynn believes that will come soon.

"His all-round performance showed how much he has improved since his summer move to Arsenal," added Flynn.

"He is now only a quarter of an inch away from a first full cap.

"He doesn't need to do a lot, he'll be there soon."

And Pearce urged Ramsey to take Arsenal team-mate Theo Walcott's steady road to stardom.

Walcott, 19, scored a hat-trick for England against Croatia in September but it followed a period of hype and frustration.

"Aaron is at the club that will manage his development properly," he said.

"Arsenal have a proud history of doing right by their youngsters, just look at Theo Walcott.

"Arsene Wenger spent �12m on Walcott and now that looks like a shrewd investment, as does the money Arsenal paid for Ramsey."

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