Aaron Ramsey reveals league winning Arsenal tactic inspiring Oxford United

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0 Comments This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Aaron Ramsey has opened up on Oxford United's goal scoring method inspired by Premier League winners Arsenal.

The U's beat Wigan Athletic 2-1 on Tuesday with Michal Helik and Kai Andrews bagging the goals to win three points in League One.

Helik's opener just before half time came from a set piece, the Polish defender striking home with his second attempt after having a first shot saved.

Oxford take on third-placed Bradford City on Saturday afternoon, with Ramsey highlighting the importance of using set pieces to his side's advantage, referencing last season's Premier League and Championship winners respectively.

The Yellows head coach said: "We work a lot on them because last season, Arsenal and Coventry City, two teams that won their leagues were top in both of them. We know how important a role they play over the course of the season.

Michal Helik puts Oxford United ahead against Wigan Athletic (Image: Darrell Fisher)

"It's an opportunity to score. From a set-piece, you can get players into areas where you might not necessarily get from open play. For us, it is an opportunity.

"Of course, there's context to that as well with the opposition and the players that we have and how we can really utilise that and create them opportunities or make them higher quality chances.

"It's an important part of the game. Of course, that was for us to break the deadlock on Tuesday."

The U's come up against the league's third-placed side, a tough test after a six-game unbeaten run in the third tier.

Michael Duff's Bradford are on an unbeaten run of their own, going seven matches without defeat.

READ MORE: 'Optimism' returns to Oxford United ahead of League One test

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Duff replaced Graham Alexanders as Bantams boss earlier this month after the latter left for Championship side Preston North End.

United boss Ramsey touched on the threat that Saturday's visitors could pose: "Every opposition is different. It's just having a look at the opposition as well and seeing where we can hurt them.

"Having a look if anything stands out for us that we'll consider taking into our game plan.

"For us, it's just full focus on us and how we are going to win that game.

Cameron Brannagan shoots for goal (Image: Richard Parkes)

"We'll have to do everything out of possession that we've been doing really well and really consistently.

"The way that we press and the intensity that we press at is through the roof at times. For us, we're really big on that and have to do all of those things to be able to have the opportunities to play.

"They've obviously started off the season really well and are a team who know what they're doing and have had success from there.

"So, for us, full focus on ourselves and how we can affect this game.

"We're at home, we want to take the initiative and we'll have to be right at it."