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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Goway ya Dope
Lol. But seriously, we haven’t won a trophy since Viera left. It’s not an important position, it’s crucial. Could be the difference between winning or loosing the Premiership.
Disagree – I have always said to play Kos as the holding midfield player as he is good on the ball but is prone to make mistakes and they will not be so costly in the midfield
i have been saying it since song left !!! i agree 100% . gk manone rb sanga cb mertesaker cb koshelny lb gibbs DM vermaleen CM CARZOLA ,ARTETA , WILSHIRE . CF WALCOTT CF PODOLSKI. SUBS :GIROUD ,GERVINHO,CHAMBERLAIN,RAMSEY , DJOUROU,JENKINGSON ,SHEZNEY,CONQELIN
wenger will never do it…..he always sticks to his way…..
wait till 70 min for a sub or wait till we go 1-0 down before any change is made !
JUST WATCHED THE ASTON VILLA GAME
one of the 3 worst games arsenal ever played !!!
man utd game , norwich game , ASTON VILLA
There are two parts to this discussion, TVMs best position and who should be playing Holding Mid. Wenger needs to buy a big-time Holding Mid-Fielder. This is a better solution than converting someone not currently in good form because it is an immediate fix to the HMF problem and it eliminates a potential ambiguity if TVM gets off to a slow start at the new position. Three players filling two positions will work. As far as the best pairing is concerned, it’ll work itself out. The fixture list is full enough and matches frequent enough to satisfy everyone. Make either Mert or Kos Vice-Captain so it’s no biggie if TVM doesn’t start.
This is an awful idea. TV is our best centreback, not that that is hard- it is one of our weakest positions, why weaken it more.
only problem is his no good at the position, you’d have to be able to shield the ball and keep it under pressure, which he is absolutely no good at.
omg…stupid…
anyway. coquelin should be played more for arteta. i love arteta and as important to the team as he is, coquelin offers a bit of spark and is more dynamic in attack. we lack a bit of range and spark at times in attack and we know how explosive coquelin can be. arteta is also human too and needs a rest now and then. start grooming coquelin!
Excuses are just easy to get Wenger!!
…. Arsenal the team as a whole were just ‘having an off day’ especially in the final third. No Scoring Boots At All!!
it’s funny. this blog piece comes after we keep a clean sheet. defensively there is no problem. yes, we could be better collectively in defending. Arteta is very good in the role. although he is not the typical DM, he brings other things that we lack, being composure, experience, calm, discipline, etc.