Right here's my theory,
As we know Arsenal play a three-man central midfield with one holding player (Song), one in the Fabregas role (Now Ramsey/Rosicky) and a third midfielder as kind of box-to-box midfielder (Arteta)
Now ever since the sale of Fabregas we have struggled to fill his place. Ramsey was initially meant to fill the role, and while one day he maybe will, he still is recovering from the injury and it yet to realise his full potential. To be honest I'm just happy he hasn't been crippled by injury all year like so many others who have such serious injuries! While Rosicky has been impressive recently but can we rely on him to keep this form up for a whole season. Many transfers have been suggested such as Gotze etc
However, Fabregas was exceptional, one of the most talented players to ever play for Arsenal, if not the most talented and pretty much carried Arsenal for the last 3-4 years.
So my point is should we try to replace him which I think is impossible or should we look at a better, more realistic option.
Rather than having a focal point of our creative attack, it should become a shared responsibility. We have seen the start of this with Song and his through balls, but I would really like to see players like Arteta really trying some creativity. This idea of a collective attack, rather than just giving it to one player and hoping he does something would really make us more of a threat and score more goals!!
So that's my suggestion, others have suggested a kind of 4-4-2 with van Persie playing the second striker role similar to Bergkamp.
Thoughts??
Arsenal's Midfield
posted on 6/4/12
Ok, I see your point. 4-2-3-1 worked much better with Fabregas in the middle, he was a creative genius who could turn and pass much better than Ramsey can.
For me, Jack will do the job better than Ramsey. We also have Diaby to come back to give us a true box-to-box midfielder. I like Rosicky in that central role, he's been key in our recovery. If Jack still isn't fit we have more than adequate backup in him.
Meanwhile, I'd like to see Ramsey play deeper. I like him, I think he's skilful, has great vision and a good pass, but his thinking process isn't as sharp as Cesc's and he tends to run into trouble and give away posession high up the field. For me, Ramsey and Arteta should be interchangeable.
We need our wingers to step up. The point of a 4-2-3-1 formation is that we can boss the midfield, but if the wingers are going to be peripheral then it's like playing with 9 men. I expect Podolski will play wide left while Arsene will continue a slow introduction for Chamberlain which will see Walcott on the right. I think the power of Podolski and pace of Walcott should give us a real attacking threat - they will practically be strikers who can come deep to pick up the ball.
I expect our midfield (with subs in brackets) next year to be:
--------------Arteta (Ramsey)--Song (Diaby)-------------
Walcott (Chamberlain)-Jack (Rosicky)-Pod (Gervinho)
----------------------Van Persie (???)---------------------
posted on 6/4/12
I like that formation, i think maybe coq could play alongside song too if needed.
I realised aswell that the trio of walcott, podolski and van p could all switch around an cause confusion with opposite defenders
posted on 6/4/12
My point wasn't that we have a major problem at the moment it's just that it could be better as I don't think there is anyone in World Football that sees those Fabregas passes so consistently. Also defiantly agree Ramsey should play deeper!
posted on 6/4/12
Rev, we should only count on realistic players. Götze isnt.
posted on 6/4/12
Ramsey has the ability to become a goal-scoring midfielder similar to gerrard/lampard. He needs to work on his finishing, he knows when to make runs into the box but messes up his finishes. Playing him deeper is useless for him to develop.
posted on 6/4/12
Wenger out!
Oh were talking about Arsenals midfield, yeah its pretty average without Wilshere .
posted on 6/4/12
He is gunner thru. I can confirm he will join us eventually. If you don't believe me then shame on you. I spoke to götze on the phone and he said he can't wait to link up with his old friend Eisfeld and Gnabry
posted on 6/4/12
If only Diaby could get rid of his injuries and reach peak level....
posted on 6/4/12
And stay there rvpm. That's diabys biggest problem. Consistency
posted on 6/4/12
Yep Coquelin ahead of Diaby actually. He's a proper DMC, rather than Song who reckons he's Xavi. Promising player if he can sort out his hamstring.