It was not too dissimilar in 2002 and 2004 when either Robert Pires or Freddie Lungberg joined the attacking two the other would moved slightly infield to support Gilberto/Edu and Vieira.
However, since moving to the Emirates Wenger has gradually altered tactics and formation essentially to give the major talent that was ‘Cesc’ the freedom to shine. However Fabregas was and is a special player and perhaps it is time to be honest and come to terms with the fact that we are still playing a system designed for Cesc, without a Cesc equivalent.
So if we did revert to the original 1998 winning formula who would fit into the various roles?
There is no doubt I am sure in anyone’s mind that when fit Jack Wilshere must play. Alongside Jack I would envisage Alex Song or Mikel Arteta, dependent on the opposition. Who will feel the shoes and roles of Overmars and Parlour whose differing talents and attributes made 1998 so rewarding and a joy to behold? I would select Gervinho wide on the left. He is not of the quality of Overmars yet, but has a good work ethic and is prepared to track back to support his full-back and I am certain in time he will regain his confidence any begin to score at the rate he was for Lille last season.
Finally and crucially we need the player to slot in on the right, with the ability to run the flank but also to tuck in a seamlessly join Wilshire and Song/Arteta when Gervinho has joined the strikers as Overmars was given licence to do so effectively. To my mind the very player is none other than Aaron Ramsey. Ramsey undoubtedly has the ability to beat a man and find a telling cross or through ball whilst playing wide right and can easily move in to support the centre when required. I feel he has the talent, energy and discipline to follow Parlour and join him as an Arsenal legend in years to come.
This formation will give us the attacking flair we had in 1998 as well as the structure when defending or without the ball. It also allows us to utilise Ramsey, Arteta/Song and Wilshere in the same team. Ramsey is struggling to cope I believe with the pressure of filling Cesc’s shoes. He has the ability to find the killer through ball or pass but not with the consistency required in the 4-2-3-1 formation designed for Fabregas. In 1997/98 Ray Parlour was a huge success working the right flank and as many will recall he was Man of the Match in the FA Cup Final against Newcastle. We can of course also utilise Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the right of the midfield.
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It’s simple…4-4-2 won 3 Premierleague and 4 FA Cup. Unfortunately 4-3-3 won NOTHING!!! It’s true 4-3-3 create a beautiful game but honestly for me I am feel boring to watch all the possession without any end product. Sometime you feel so frustrated about that.
nothing is beautiful about 2 wingers who do nothing for the whole game
“Ferguson will change systems from game to game dependent on the opposition and the form of his players” – That’s the attitude I believe AW needs to imbibe. Both formations have their merits & demerits. I like 4-4-2 but I also want my team’s manager to be proactive and less predictable!