So Kieran Gibbs will be back soon and, as a result, Arsene Wenger will be faced with a selection headache.
Does he continue to play Thomas ‘The Verminator’ Vermaelen at left-back or install Gibbo straight back in the line-up?
Should he pair Per Mertesacker with Vermaelen, or Per with Laurent Koscielny?
In my opinion, a player should be selected based on his current form. We’ve all seen how our captain has struggled ever since he was given the armband following Robin van Persie’s summer departure from the club, and I think it would be best for the team in whole if Gibbs reclaims his left-back spot and keep Kos and Per paired up in the centre of our defensive line.
But should this happen then a number of questions arise which will need answering:
1. Do we leave our captain on the bench?
2. Where should we play the Belgian?
3. Which team starts with their captain on the bench?
Vermaelen is a world-class performer. He impressed me from the first minute I saw him play, plus he was the highest goal-scoring defender, remember? Yes, he has suffered a dip in form ever since he was given the responsibility of captaining Arsenal. But his problem is more of a mental/psychological one, in my opinion. The same thing happened to me when I was in high school. I was made the captain and it became a burden (for a while). As a result, I lost my confidence, due to the fear of failing to perform and live up to the task. But, it’s only a temporary problem. It can be fixed.
My suggestion is to play Vermaelen as our anchorman in midfield, Jack Wilshere as our linchpin and Mikel Arteta as our advanced midfielder, and shift Santi Cazorla to the right wing.
There is no harm in trying something new. You never know, it might end up to be a great decision.
Why play Verm as our anchorman you say? Well, first of all he’s a defender; it means he’ll be able to destroy the oppositions play, thus protecting our back-line. He’s also very good on the ball, which means he can drive it forward. In addition, he has a powerful shot, and lord knows how much we need it at times. Plus, he’s got loads of stamina to burn, which means he’ll always be constantly on the move.
I think it makes sense and should be tested in the near future.
Should Wenger consider playing Vermaelen in the holding midfield role?
Give us your thoughts on the matter below
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Slightly different – I think Verm should take Diaby’s place as the destroyer. Arteta is the perfect holding midfielder for our type of football, but we are still missing the physical presence that Diaby gave us. It would also give Verm the freedom to make those runs into the box which are one of his main strengths as a footballer imo.
Wenger changes wingers to strikers and not defenders to midfielders.
Have u heard of Emmanuelle Petit?
And Alex Song?
I think kos is the best to play where u sigesting TV since he got better passes n tackles
And who will play in defence? Tis only a temporary thing before verm gains his confidence
I put forward this idea before Gibbs got injured 6 weeks ago , because it would have been a waste leaving Kos on the bench.
Which high school did you go to. Were anywhere near good when your form diped?
I too have often wondered what TV5 would be like as a defensive mid. His surging runs and great vision would be an asset going forward and his talent at the back would ensure great cover for the defence. “Twig”, Wenger moved emmanuel petit from defence (primarily) to midfield, and I think we all know how that turned out….so a TV5, Arteta partnership in the middle of the park…could be perfect.
meaning what for wilshere and cazorla?????????????????????????????
Carzola needs a rest anyway , he could come off the bench for a winger too .
If we are gping to experiment i would much rather it be 3 at the back rather change players positions sure wenger has had some success in the past converting defenders into midfielders pettit song and grimandi immediately spring to mind. but for me a back 3 of kos per and tv5 would be right for certain opposition and the likes of villa are prime for it. sagna and gibbs providing width along side wilshire and cazorla with arteta providing the defensive cover. giroud and podolski up top waiting for those crosses. a bench of mannone jenkinson djourou coquelin ramsey gervinho chamakh would be my choice today.
I think Arteta is more an attacking player than a holding def midfielder. I think we need someone else like TV playing in that position. That is why selling Song was a very bad idea. We are suffering from that now…
AMEN to that!!! Y DID WE SELL SONG FOR LOVE OF GOD I DON’T UNDERSTAND!!!!
Wenger is renowned for transforming players into different positions like Petit. Tell you who I reckon would a great holding midfielder – Mertsacker. Saw him run forward against Montpellier and he looked really comfortable. Reminded me of Patrick Viera actually at times. Lanky legs charging forward in the middle of the park. Also I don’t think he’s that effective as a central defender as his reading of opposition off the ball running is really poor and he could have lost heavily to Man U as a result. I reckon it’d be a really positive move by Wenger.
omg. mertesacker as a midfielder, any kind of midfielder. you must be taking the piss. patrick viera……..
i’m speechless.