I'm thinking something a little crazy...
How about we play Ozil as a false 9 with Sanchez and Walcott occupying the wide spaces in front?
Then we can play Coquelin, Arteta and Cazorla in midfield.
--------Coquelin-------
----Cazorla---Arteta--
------------Ozil----------
Walcott--------Sanchez
It can then be changed to essentially a 4-4-2 diamond by bringing in Welbeck or Giroud for one of the wide players. You can also easily interchange Arteta with Ramsey.
I think this team would retain the ball in midfield better, with improved interplay and would also create more chances.
Right now our play is boring, one-dimensional and stale.
The only weakness I can see in that formation is Coquelin (who is doing well at the moment tbf).
If we can get a world class DM in that formation - someone who excels in breaking up play and distributing to the two CMs in front - then we could be a real contender for the FA Cup, 3rd place in the PL, and last 4 of the CL even.
What does everyone else think?
Could a formation change elevate us?
posted on 5/1/15
Or play an actual striker up front and keep Ozil on the bench...
posted on 5/1/15
In the PL with organised defences who sit deep against us we would struggle, it's the Barca formation but Ozil can't score like Messi or make the CB's work enough. A physical presence who can win headers and challenge CB's makes a big difference with our small midfield. Hope to see this some time soon
-----Coquelin Ramsey
Walcott Santi/Ozil Sanchez
------------Giroud
posted on 5/1/15
Yeah that's the sort of formation I want to see 9bit.
I don't want to see Ozil shifted out wide again. Now we have sanchez who has to play when fit, we also have ox who is doing well and walcott back. For me 2 of those 3 should always be on the wings. Ozil has to fight cazorla for the number 10 role. They're both wasted wide, and they take a posstion of another player who can do well there. They'll be games where it will be ok to have Ozil or cazorla wide, but should pretty much always never happen. Especially Ozil out there. Cazorla isn't quite as ineffective there.
Now with walcott back, and sanchez undropable I don't think we'll see Ozil or cazorla wide as much as we use to. I think wenger will end up going for
Sanchez--Ozil-- walcott
With hopefully a new DM and ramsey behind them. Difficult to see where wilshere would really fit in if we got a good DM who would play most games.
Hopefully with the form of cazorla, Ozil will up his game to claim a spot back and we will see the real Ozil return
posted on 5/1/15
Ozil shouldn't automatically get in our first 11 if everyone is fit but I think he will be and a CAM possibly himself will be shunted outwide.
For me:
------- DM (doesn't matter which, they're all sheeet)-----
Wilshere/Ramsey Cazorla/Ozil
Walcott Giroud Sanchez
posted on 5/1/15
Ozil cant finish
posted on 5/1/15
The front 3 have to be Welbeck, Alexis , Walcott.
Santi has been player of the season with Alexis this season but I suspect he will go back to Spain for his last contract in the summer.
posted on 5/1/15
comment by Jenius99 (U4918)
posted 2 hours, 34 minutes ago
The front 3 have to be Welbeck, Alexis , Walcott.
Santi has been player of the season with Alexis this season but I suspect he will go back to Spain for his last contract in the summer.
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The thing about Welbeck is that he's gash. He does press well and work hard but with Walcott coming back and playing off the shoulder and often pinning the opposition back I'm not sure what Welbeck would offer bar a shocking touch and finish.
posted on 5/1/15
comment by ☂ (U19684)
posted 17 minutes ago
comment by Jenius99 (U4918)
posted 2 hours, 34 minutes ago
The front 3 have to be Welbeck, Alexis , Walcott.
Santi has been player of the season with Alexis this season but I suspect he will go back to Spain for his last contract in the summer.
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The thing about Welbeck is that he's gash. He does press well and work hard but with Walcott coming back and playing off the shoulder and often pinning the opposition back I'm not sure what Welbeck would offer bar a shocking touch and finish.
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Work rate and holding the ball up. Face it. As much as I want a world class striker Wenger ain't getting one. So our only hope is that Welbeck develops.