We have many midfielders in our ranks but there is only one that can organize it , track back and protect the back-line, and that’s Mathieu Flamini.
Arsene Wenger, however, has picked Mikel Arteta ahead of the Frenchman at times, and on some occasions has played the Spaniard alongside Flamini. But the partnership has not worked to out liking.
Wenger has also tried playing Jack Wilshere with Flamini in front of the defence and although the former gets forward well and looks to create, the England international doesn’t track back often enough to help out the latter.
For me, Flamini, unless he’s injured or suspended, should be starting every game from now until the end of the season. His leadership qualities and combativeness yesterday against Stoke was hugely missed and Wenger made a mistake by not playing him in a physical game like that.
Now we all know Arteta is not a natural defensive midfielder, but Wenger has positioned him there since his arrival from Everton in 2011. And although he has a brilliant passing range and can dictate games from this position, the 31-year-old just doesn’t have the legs to get back and isn’t a defence-minded player.
With this being said, I believe Wenger should consider who he plays alongside Flamini, and for me, there is one player which could potentially do a great job beside the tenacious Frenchman and hasn’t been seen for a long time – our captain Thomas Vermaelen. Although the Belgian is a centre-back by trade he can play in front of the back four and would, in my opinion, have a great understanding with Flamini, as both are leaders and command those around them amply. In addition, Vermaelen’s positioning is superb and he reads the game equally as well.
If Wenger is intent on balancing defence while being potent going forward then why not give Vermaelen a go in the middle of the park next to Flamini? What’s the worst that could happen?
Wenger should give it a go and see what happens but I don’t think the Frenchman will.
Should Wenger consider playing Vermaelen in midfield?
Let us know what you think below
Yes Vermaelen should be given a go in CDM. Anything is better than Wilshere at the moment. Wilshere is not pyshical enough or defensive minded enough, to play along side Flamini or Arteta. Wilshere should be rotated with Ozil or Cazorla, for the central attacking midfield role.
Varm should be given achance,his game reading ability and comand cd be ideal in midfiiield,even Chamberl shd start all the remaining games to increase pace in the game
The verminator and flamini are the missing piece, and we need them especially now when our young talents like wilshere are growing tired legs. He can also come up with that important elusive goal in crunch games. Besides, he has been so loyal to the club sofar.
I have bin saying this for years but nobody has listen to me he could be petit al over again
Wenger’s poor team selection and predictable tactical setup is the major cause of Arsenal’s inconsistencies, he’s got nothing more to offer! He seems not to know what to do when it matters most, and this has been the case over the trophyless years! It’s time to look beyond Wenger… Arsenal fans deserves better!
Why don’t he revert back to a 4-4-2 with two exceptional wingers? We need a box to box midfielder like Ramires (possibly Lassana Diarra again!!) get Jackson Martinez!!
At the moment, we have 1 system. No plan B. I’d like to see Draxler, Martinez, Diarra, GK and possibly Richards at RB…
Vermaelen is going, as is Sagna, Djorou, Fabianski and Bendtner..
Varm can be that missing link for us revert back to 4-4-2 seems perfect again,for d remaining matches picking a draw at Chelsea and home win against man city possibly all 18points in others matches then we are premier league champion…wenger should apply plan B also..Yep Arsenal fans deserve better!
I respected Wenger selection throughout this campaign so far our most winning selection should goes…Bendtner,podolski,Ox,cazorla,Arteta,flamini,kibbs,Sagna,per,woijency,subs wilshere,ozil,Giroud…while Bendtner should lead our attacks lines his make uses of d ball more and wot he needs is playing time with confident.
I score Wenger 9 out of 10 on Business, which includes financial foresight, pragmatism and prudence. I score Wenger 7 out of 10 on Football, which includes selection of the correct combination of players, motivating individual players, strategy and opponent killing tactics. No team can win trophies with a 7 out of 10 on football.
Please give him a chance. He has the ability to play well as he proved in the pass My simple solution is fire Wenger and bring in someone who cares not only about making money but thinks of the many frustrated fans