We have witnessed Arsenal play a midfield trio of Alex Song, Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey more than any other combination so far this season. It is a trio that has played consistently together more often than not with the likes of Tomas Rosicky and Yossi Benayoun coming on as subs, except for the past two months where we have seen a resurgent Rosicky coupled with injuries to Rambo coming into the attacking midfield position.
I have always questioned Ramsey’s deployment in the hole behind Robin van Persie as I don’t particularly think he has the skill neither the creativity nor vision to slice open defences with his passing. Compared to ‘little Mozart’ or Yossi, the Welshman takes a touch too many on the ball, is slow to get the ball moving, not a quick thinker nor does he match vision with accuracy. All the qualities the Czech midfielder acquires as well as Benayoun, who is a good dribbler as well.
Rosicky and Benayoun are not only quick passers of the ball, they are one-two passers and footballers who runs comfortably with ball at their feet, with Rosicky possessing a thunder bolt in his boots when it comes to having a go at goal. They both bring fluidity into the centre of the pack as well, qualities which Rambo does not have in abundance. With more games under the belt of Tomas, we are beginning to see more of the maestro we paid for some years back from Dortmund. You may beg to differ that Rambo has got more assists than Tomas; well you must check the ratio of assists and minutes played before you proceed with this theory. Talking of assists, I am still bemused to who our attacking midfielder is as Alexander the great, who occupies the defensive midfield, tends to pop up with more assists of the three in the middle of the park.
Statistically, you can say Aaron has done better than anyone else passing wise with Metersacker second. However, I would differ in opinion because an attacking midfielder’s job is to slice open defences and feed through balls to front man. Passing backwards and across the line may rack up your numbers statistically, but it is not as important as goal-scoring stats which Song, in my reckoning, has notched up more killer passes to date which win games.
This is not to say Rambo has no good qualities though. The Rambo I saw before the horrific leg break was a kid with a V-8 engine, who can charge around the centre of play, dictate the flow of the game and feed Cesc produce the magic. I thought we were going to be seeing more of the same until Arsene Wenger brought up other ideas with Aaron replacing Fabregas. Mind you, and with respect to British players, I am yet to see a proper attacking midfielder from the UK with raw skill and trickery like Ronaldinho, Nasri, Iniesta, Modric, Rosicky, Benayoun and so on. British lads are known for power, speed and aggression in the middle of the park and Rambo is no different. Trickery I must say comes with nature and not something you get over playing, though consistency improves your overall play.
Arteta for me would do a much better job in the hole with Ramsey doing the dog fighting and breaking up play and.
I believe a little role swap would bring more supply to an already efficient midfield. Another thing to note is the deployment of Yossi and Tomas out wide. With both players over the 30 mark, Arsene has not utilized them right, as the duo like Giggsy have lost the most critical element a winger needs to thrive which is pace.
Am I saying we have more players in the same role than needed? Maybe, maybe not, as Yossi, Tomas and Arteta are three players with almost similar qualities, though each differ in his own unique way and since creativity in the final third is a role that needs constant efficiency and optimum performance at all times, we may be having the right ingredients in the three of them to execute games, depending on our opponents structure and strength.
In conclusion, I would suggest that Rambo be deployed more centrally and Wenger allows the dudes with natural flair and creativity embedded in them, like Tomas, Yossi and Mikel to sit behind RVP.
In my reckoning, Diaby, Ramsey and Wilshere should be made to slug it out for central midfield positions while Arteta, Benayoun and Rosicky play it out for the attacking midfield role occasionally with RVP, so it gives Theo or Park to play the lone striker.
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I agree totally! I think ramseys work rate would make a perfect scott parker type. I would prefer any u mentioned, but also like the idea of seeing ox play the middle also, i think he woukd provide and score ALOT. Also im afraid we will lose song, who has become dangerous passer. He would need to be replaced because coq not ready to be primary dm. maybe vertonghen. Either scenario needs someone better than theo on the left, hopefully a player we will acquire or ox.
I agree totally! I think ramseys work rate would make a perfect scott parker type. I would prefer any u mentioned, but also like the idea of seeing ox play the middle also, i think he woukd provide and score ALOT. Also im afraid we will lose song, who has become dangerous passer. He would need to be replaced because coquelin not ready to be primary dm. maybe vertonghen. Either scenario needs someone better than theo on the left, hopefully a player we will acquire or ox.
Ramsey is as useless as anything.Not creative,slow thinker,and he always play to the gallery,like Diaby, kindly get rid of those players this coming season and get a better one.
I have been saying it! Ramsey is not an attacking Mid, atleast now. And so painful to watch him trip himself up in the final third or toe poke the ball instead of powerful precise shots. We lost more games (10 more ) on target so called shots on goal than any EPL team. Because ATM who can’t finish/slow/indecisive and wasteful wingers. Thank god for the touch of Robin Van Versie. I completely agree Ramsey, Diaby, Wilshere must have one midfield spot to fight over. Rosicky (When health), Ox are only capable ATM we have right now. We need quick attacks, vission, pace with the ball (No thanks Theo), powerful/fearsome shot that makes defenses to come and leave real estate behind for Robin to hunt. If Wegner plays anyone else as an (ATM) he is not doing justice for the pace and movement we have upfront! Why was Arshavin not played in that role? (may be he loses the ball so many times)! Ofcourse injuries will happen are happening now and players will play out of position (JD as a right back?)Cheers gooners! i hope we stay relatively health and catch the spuds.. What a wonderful treat that would be…. I’m moving to Greece for a month if that happens..
1) As far as I could see, the three midfielders alternated in attacking duties when Ramsey was in, as per usual. Is Ramsey handed more of an offensive role? I think this comes out of Song being a typical holding midfielder and Arteta being more of a playmaker (regular CM) than an attacking mid. If Wilshere was fit, we’d likely see setups like Song/Ramsey/Wilshere and Song/Arteta/Wilshere, depending on who’s fit and whom do we play. Wilshere also isn’t a Cesc, but he’s more creative and fast-forward thinking than either of the midfielders Arsenal have. In this case, Rosicky is simply the sub for the missing Wilshere, for whom Ramsey stands in, and Diaby the missing sub for Ramsey, for whom Arteta stands in. (I know it sounds stupid, but that’s how it should be.) Obviously, Chamberlain as attacking midfielder is a last-ditch backup option and I wouldn’t expect Wenger to use it too often. In this case, the only question we may have is whether Ozyakup can be counted on to make it at Arsenal. If so, don’t expect no new faces in the middle. Unless Rosicky goes.
Ramsy is NOT Arsenal quality. Never was and never will be.
Useless. Wasteful. And crap.
He broke a leg. Emotions made us Keep him. Finally his quality is being realised by fans.
Gary speed RIP was correct in Hos last words seconds before death…
“Doomed are the prats who keep Ramsy”
And he hanged himself in pain and anger at watching him play.
Can’t blame him.
Many arsenal fans lost their lives watching Ramsy play week in week out.
Let’s pray another leg injury solves all that.
Or better still a rope!
You sir have obviously got issues and not a proper supporter. What supporter wishes such an injury to a player of a team you claim to support? Bitter yido in disguise?
This is appalling, there is no place for such sick comments. Can this not be removed it is disgusting.
Adam, you’re a cunt
What are you on you sick idiot. Evil comments like that should not even be allowed to appear.
Arteta is the weak link. Another shite over-rated central midfielder just like shit Gilberto Silva. Everything sideways or backwards, no ability to play anyone in.He’s a very poor man’s Fabregas. And as for Wilshere fighting for a midfield spot with Diaby, is that some sort of joke? You’re talking about the best young midfield player in Europe vs some over-rated Vieira wannabe who gives the ball away every time he touches it. And don’t get me started on shit Arshavin. Honestly, you people call yourself football fans, but the way you talk about CM’s and AMF’s, all you do is play Football Manager all day. Go out and get a girlfriend!
Totally agree on Rambo. Not creative, accurate or deadly as an attacking midfielder. I was less sure about Rosicky but more playing time and a couple of goals at last has raised his confidence back again to levels last seen before his injury a few years ago. Aging as he may be but if he can keep that work rate he is well ahead of Rambo.
I totally disagree! The only Arsenal player that can fit into that position as glove is Coquelin! He is the closes player in the Arsenal camp to execute the position Fabergas left.
Rosicky has shown that he’s getting back to his best. He’s even proven me wrong in that regard and I doff my hat to him for trying to find his Dortmund form but at 31 he’s not going to be there for much longer as per the Wenger player over 30 contract renewal philosophy. Arsene needs to buy a true playmaker to replace Cesc. Ramsey isn’t it, Jack may or may not be it but after being out for virtually an entire season can we really expecy him to get back into form any time soon? If the Milan game showed us anything it’s that our bench is weak and having a deep squad is past of being a winning team because we certainly can’t bet on our best 12-14 players staying fit all season.