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Santi Cazorla or Joe Allen?

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posted on 9/8/12

we'll see if he plays a deeper position for Arsenal - i'm not convinced he will.
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Unfortunately this is where many pundits as well as many gooners get confused about our formation.

We don't play with any restrictive positions on the pitch.

Our front 3 rotate. And our central midfield 3 also rotate. Thats why Song had so many assists last year. Gooners were often criticizing Song for going forward when that was actually by design. Just that Ramsey was often lacking whenever he was required to cover. Our win rate was almost 70% when Song, Arteta, Rosicky were playing in combination because Rosicky was covering whenever he was required to do. Now Rosicky is hardly a defensive midfield player!

So you will see Cazorla start in the Cesc position. But during the game, he will be playing defensive as well as on the wing when our players rotate. Thats why Spain and Barca are so successful. Players are required to perform multiple roles, with equal technical ability. The only British player able to do that in central midfield the premier league is Wilshere. Thats why Arsene is developing Theo on the wing to play as a rounded striker. And Ox will also get training in the midfield in multiple positions. Coquelin is learning as cover for full backs to be a central midfield player.

comment by HRH (U15236)

posted on 9/8/12

Barca/Spain still have a Busquets (Senna, Keita) there though - that's why it works so well. Xavi sitting deeper, with Iniesta being predominantly the more advanced. Although fluid, they still have their roles in the side.

What you have explained sounds lovely in theory, but id be very surprised to see this lad(albeit with 2nd hand info on him and what you have said) being anything other than an attacking mid or wide forward. Only time will tell

posted on 10/8/12

Although fluid, they still have their roles in the side.
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As do our players at the start of the game. Essentially Arsene tries to work player instincts in combinations rather than set roles.

For example Song was trained/brought up as a central defender. His natural instincts are defensive. Now Arsene does not force him to stay south of the half way line as other teams would do. But Arsene knows that most of the time he will hold. Thats why I talk of Coquelin (a future replacement for Song) being trained in the full backs position compared to Ox ( a future attacking central midfield) getting his training on the wing and in a more attacking midfield positions. This is the Cryuff/dutch total football system. Its actually one step ahead of Barca. Arsene was doing that at Monaco. He and Cryuff go way back.

Barca were implementing the Cryuff system to its absolute in their pomp but as players have gotten older they have found it harder to fit those styles. Barca had a young crop that all came up together. Their present crop of youngsters don't have the same quality. Xavi just doesn't have the legs to arrive late in the box as he used to. They were unable to replace David Villa when he was injured. Tello wasn't as good. Those instincts are are very important but the capacity to play multiple positions is more important. This is why Barca were less effective last year. Thats why they always look to Arsenal as first port of call to steal a player.

comment by HRH (U15236)

posted on 10/8/12

I wouldn't call Barca buying Fabregas stealing exactly considering they produced him, you stole him and sold him back for £30m or whatever it was

posted on 10/8/12

Petit, Overmars, Gio, Sylvinhio, Henry, Cesc, Hleb, approached Afobe. To name just a few in recent years.

Its almost Barca need Wenger's validation on the technical ability of the player before buying. They could have bought most of those players at any time before they joined us.

Cesc only proves the point. Cesc's dad asked the technical director at the time if he had a chance at Barca to get a pro contract. The reply was not very positive so Cesc joined us. In fact thats why they were awarded so little in the court case that followed.

posted on 16/1/14

Cazorla or Allen? Hmmm.

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