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
stupid wenger not too wise to recognize our talented man.
Totaly Agree
I think this would be great move by Wenger if he could only see and reason as million of other arsenal fans.
This partnership could be what he has been looking yet the solution has always been around. He should give this a try before its to late. Vermaelen for defensive central midflied.
Lets go
my name is joe, pple call me smoking gunner, coming to vermalitor to be in the mildle of the park with mathew nice one, ma guy god will bless u, pls let mr stoborn wenger to play this formation, sangna metersarka ko gibs mathew vermalitor rosisky santi podosky ox,?
yas…that’s a nice thought nd it can work well but i doubt if arsene would ever think of it
Vermaelen should have been good against Stoke when looked at the performance of our central midfielders. Arteta and Wilshere was poor and a fighting spirit like Vermaelen should do good against that kind of teams.
On a side note I really hope they ban Charlie Adam for stamping Giroud, 3 games is what Song got for stamping Barton.
And on a new captain for the next season, Mertesacker is for me the clear choice for that.
ofcourse wenger wouldnt do such, untill it is finally over and no trophy
Agree with you. flamini should start every single game until he is injured or suspended. Arteta isn’t a natural defensive midfielder. Wenger should act fact ASAP….
Wenger, don’t be stupid think fast.
Wenger, don’t be stupid think fast we need change.
You’re forgetting we tried it once or twice in preseason a couple of years ago. By 60 minutes he’s knackered. He doesn’t have the engine to manage 90 minutes in the Flamini role. His distribution is basic, so couldn’t see him fitting in there. Nice try, but square peg, round hole.