Sentences with phrase «more of a defensive midfielder»

While Kante is more of a defensive midfielder, the Gunners seem to have that position covered quite well too, with the likes of Francis Coquelin, Mohammed Elneny and recent acquisition Granit Xhaka among their ranks.

Not exact matches

Santi control of the midfield posetion, a little more defensive stability etc..

But the Arsenal star has the best percentages of all three, so there is more proof that Coquelin has been the best defensive midfielder in England since his return to the Emirates.

The game of football has become much more nuanced then «you are either a defensive midfielder or a playmaker».

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Coquelin, Flamini and Ramsey are not of that same mould, Victor Wanyama and Villiam Carvaho are good defensive midfielders but do not control the flow of a game, they are more likely to a rest or stays static when their team is in possession of the ball.

We might have wanted Arsene Wenger to give Francis Coquelin more of a chance in previous seasons, especially as the team's need for a defensive midfielder was often glaringly obvious and caused us to fall short of our targets.

And the fact that we would be denying Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers another of his transfer targets would make it even sweeter, but I just wonder whether it would not be more proof that Wenger is too focused on the attacking side of the game when we desperately need a defender and a proper defensive midfielder.

obviously I would prefer to have a much more suitable alternative in the defensive midfielder positions but if they focused more on defensive end and the occasional long - ball, this would allow Bellerin and Sead ample opportunities to bomb forward on their respective wings while still having enough cover to maintain their defensive shape... it would likewise allow for overlapping runs on both wings, thereby letting both Sanchez and Perez to cut inside and get shots away in and around the top of the box with their most dominant feet... if goals were needed I would sub Bellerin for OX and bring Ramsey in for Elneny then switch to a 3 -2-4-1 (more of a 3 -1-5-1 with Ramsey playing higher up the pitch) and I would only use Giroud as a sub when the game dictated it for tactical reasons... this would allow us to be a high energy team with incredible link - up play and a much more direct approach in the offensive end

Young Frenchman Kurt Zouma can ply his trade in the centre of defence but may be more valuable as a defensive midfielder, following a string of accomplished performances in this position last term.

Arsenal fans may have had a bit more to shout about int the transfer market over the last year or so, but at the end of each window, us fans and the football media are still left scratching our heads as to why Arsene Wenger did not sign, for instance, a striker or a defensive midfielder.

It's difficult to blame Ozil for the difficulties he's faced at Arsenal without looking at the big picture... like the fans, he too was lied to by Wenger... there is no doubt in my mind that he was told by Wenger that he was trying desperately to recreate our earlier success by acquiring players that fit the system he ran when Henry was in his prime... as we know this hasn't happened... in order for Ozl to flourish he needs some speed up front, forwards that can make intelligent runs, a boss in the midfield to compensate for his obvious defensive liabilities and defenders who can transition from defence to offence quickly and efficiently... much like he had in Real and with the German National squad... unfortunately he ended up on a squad that has a striker who plays with his back to goal, very few intelligent runs into the box, minus Sanchez, no one to take pressure off him in the midfield, once Cazorla was injured, average defensive midfielders around him, which simply highlighted his lacking defensive qualities and defenders who lack the necessary cutting edge when it comes to transitional passing... instead of blaming Ozil, which is simply too easy, especially considering his mopey disposition, we should be asking ownership and / or Wenger why they brought him in if they didn't intend on doing what was necessary to get the best from him... can you imagine Ozil playing with the likes of Henry, Viera, Petit and Pires, it would be incredibly to watch and even more difficult to stop... so the only thing different between his experiences in Real and with the German team versus his time at Arsenal are the players around him and we all know who is in charge of making those decisions, the Grinch who stole soccer

If he can play as a CB I do nt see why it is more of a risk playing him in defensive midfield.

but like someone said, why wouldnt sacrificing stability of midfield for two strikers make team more penetrative especially against defensive teams and if back four is tight, 4 man midfield is sufficient.wenger could try that!!

Don't get me wrong, we need a central addition, but more of a deep - lying playmaker than a defensive midfielder.

Although Wilshere has not nailed down a regular position in his career so far, playing both as an attacking midfielder, either centrally or on either flank, as well as a more defensive - minded player, it appears that he wants to work on becoming more of a deep - lying ball player in the Alonso or Pirlo mould.

Most of us have been crying for a defensive midfielder and I personally think this should be our first priority as Arteta is getting on with age and with all due respect, seems to struggle a bit against more physical teams who apply pressure.

With Mathieu Flamini sitting in front of the defensive line, the four midfielders should have more chance of being able to control the centre of the pitch and stop the talented and powerful Chelae players from getting too much pressure and pushing the Gunners back towards our own penalty area.

In central midfield, Michael Carrick showed his wortth for England against Lithuania and should be brought in as one of the more defensive options for the match against Italy, who have plenty of quality in that area of the pitch.

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Laurent Blanc responded to the loss of his most defensive midfielder in somewhat surprising fashion, throwing on a much more attacking player in Lucas Moura and abandoning the 3 -5-2 that PSG had struggled with in favor of a 4 -3-3, bringing Marquinhos off the back line to serve as his holding midfielder.

Many Arsenal fans have thought that the club needs a defensive midfielder for some time, but with captain Mikel Arteta, Abou Diaby and Mathieu Flamini all out of contract next summer the problem is becoming more prevalent.

The news of Wenger looking for defensive midfield replacements must have unsettled him but what's more unnerving is the new contract for club captain Mikel Arteta.

Mr Wenger was forced to play two defensive midfielder for most of the season because Xhaka overall game possesses more flaws than strength.

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It literally takes pretty much all the strengths away from our world - class triangle of Mesut, Santi and Ozil to place a struggling for form Campbell in a more attacking role when the part of his role he's been doing best is providing extra defensive cover, while making us weaker in midfield when our strongest midfielder has been injured!!

In the midfield, (including RWB & LWB) we have a whole bunch of tweeners... none offer the full package, none make sense in our manager's current favourite formation, except for Sead on the left and Ox on the right, and all of them have never shown any consistency for more than a heartbeat... Sead, who I'm including in this category because of our present formation, looks like a positive addition, minus his occasional brain farts, but I would rather see what he could do in a back 4 before making my mind up... Ox, who has never played better, which isn't saying much considering his largely underwhelming play in previous seasons, seems to have found a home in this new formation; unfortunately, can we really expect this oft - injured player to handle the taxing duties that come with said position over the long haul, not to mention, it looks like he has no intention of staying... Ramsey has relied on the empathy that stems from his gruesome injury years ago and the excitement that was generated a few years back when he finally seemed to put in altogether, but on the whole he has been a big disappointment (neither he nor the Ox have scored enough to warrant a regular spot)... Wiltshire should be put on a weekly contract then played until he suffers his first injury, if and when that occurs he should be shipped - out and no one should very be allowed to say his name on club grounds ever again... Elnehy & Coq are average players who couldn't make any of the top 7 teams currently in the EPL... both have showed some great energy on the pitch, but neither are top quality and no good team can afford to have that many average players on their bench playing the same position, especially with Coq's injury history / discipline concerns and Elheny's headless chicken tendencies... as for Xhaka, his tenure here so far has been incredibly underwhelming... we know he has some skills to provide the long ball but his defensive work is piss poor and he gives the ball away too cheaply and far too often... finally, the enigma himself, Ozil, so much skill with his left foot but his presence has been more frustrating than uplifting... in many respects his failure has been directly related to the failure of this club to provide him with the necessary players up front, minus Sanchez of course, and unless something drastic happens very soon his legacy will be largely a negative one (much like Wenger's)

it goes without saying that AW must leave and another coach to come he can stay close to the team as manager or head of board but it is clear that our team is in need for so many years of a defensive midfielder (William Carvalho) and a left back (J Rodriguez) on top of them if we buy Mbappe and this player from Celtic, Dembele i believe our team will be in very good shape as we will have players to cover all spots in good order we can get rid of players such as elneny, gabriel, debuchy, jekinson, lucas, chamberlain, mertezaker, coq and get back jack wilshere who together with ramsey, xhaka, santi they can make a quite productive midfield together with Carvalho watching their backs if we sell ozil, sanchez we can move for 3 more players such as gueye, mahrez and gibson

Our counterattacking is not good enough and missed chances pile up more pressure with a weakening defensive midfield position we need accurate and high tempo passing which require a lot of off the ball movement to give the guy with the ball more options of where to pass the ball.

A defensive midfielder or centre - back may be more important to their chances of qualifying for the Champions League this season, after already signing James Milner, Danny Ings, Joe Gomez, Adam Bogdan, Nathaniel Clyne, Firmino, and Christian Benteke.

Although he favours an attacking midfield position, over the years, Cazorla has proven himself equally adept at playing from a deep - lying position and, despite his stature, he is more than willing to contribute to the defensive side of the game.

If Arsenal stick with three centre backs then Mustafi must be considered a far better choice for the third birth alongside Kos and Holding rather then Monreal.Kolasinac has to come back in at left eing - back and Bellerin revert to the right.Midfield is a very different matter.Arsenal still desperately need a proper defensive central player.Ozil in this current side can not be considered anything more than a luxury.All of Bournemouth's creativity will come down the flanks so it's necessary to put players on to the pitch who are prepared to fulfill their defensive duties.This also means that unless Ramsey can work out that he's playing in midfield not as a number 10 he has no place on the team either.

If Wenger doesn't want a real DM, he should make sure that one out of the two midfield pivots is physically imposing and more defensive minded than the other.

I maintain Ramsey s more of a curse than a blessing... no10 role is nt jes fr him.He shud stick more to keeping d midfield together n his defensive input... Walcott still nt convincing enough... jes need som1 exciting up front for once... not jes speed of even hold up play... itz gotten us this far, need sth diff yet again... And som1 pls tap Ox, the game s started!

Our 3 back is just so wrong.We don't have natural wingbacks even in this formation.It also seems to me that lots of people here believe if you're good at right or left fullback then automatically you're good at RWB / LWB which quite frankly is untrue.That's why Oxlade Chamberlain can be considered at RWB but not right back.At RWB or LWB you're asking too much in terms of attack from Bellerin and Kolasinac.A proper wing back can be viewed as a more defensive winger which quite frankly none of them are and they don't possess the flexibility too to play that way.Our midfielders are also not disciplined enough because in 3 back there's a huge gap in the centre of the field that must be covered by our CM's so indiscipline only means disaster.We also have Ozil who looks like he's playing at RW in 3 back.In that we're limiting his impact because Ozil takes on his man because he wants to not because he likes to.You can't play such players at the wing.He's a proper No. 10 who likes to be given freedom.That's why Ozil plays likes he's lazy on the ball and stuff.It's because he wants to be free and for that you need to put him at No. 10.

Well to be more precise, the attacking and creative side of midfield, as the need for what we might call a «proper» defensive midfielder had become a tried old topic for Arsenal fans and the football media alike.

Secondary tasks of any DM: succesfully take on other defensive challenges to provide other midfielders to focus on attacking more.

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If we need a more defensive midfield he can bring in the likes of arteta flamini Coquelin chambers and diaby.

Right once again I've have to clarify I'm not an aob or akb and I am by no means defending him, He should of signed a striker and a defensive midfielder or at least one of them even if he felt we needed one or not, but I do have to say we have a very good squad this is a better squad than stayed 1st longer then anyone else a few seasons ago and with cech I say a better squad then earned more points then anybody in the 2nd half of the season.

Arsenal has depth, but it isn't quality squad depth, Rosiscky, Cazorla, Ozil all play the same position and neither of them add a great deal more than the other, our midfield is stoked but the areas we actually need depth in are barren, we have no solid defensive midfielder with our usual reliance on a CAM moved back, as a result players like Ramsey and Wilshere who are box to box players end up creating more imbalance in an already unbalanced team.

442 diamond - like formation might work if we had the base of the diamond as a dedicated defensive midfielder role with Coquelin (or new addition, or even perhaps Elneny), playmaker at the top of the diamond, the side operating like wingers (or falling back for more defensive cover as required) and two strikers.

Firtly the Guardian reported the Chelsea defensive midfielder Nemanja Matic admitting his unhappiness that Cech will be playing for one of Chelsea's main rivals and not their manager's former right hand man Steve Clarke has made the situation even more clear.

He pointed out that we had too many defensive midfielders wanting to bomb forward and leaving space behind for potential counter attack, and if you read between the lines and use it as a source of info for analysis, you can clearly see he is implying we need to be stronger in the midfield by not losing ball possession, pressing more when we don't have the ball and not let ourselves exposed.

This is an incredibly difficult question to answer for a variety of reasons, most importantly because over the years our once vaunted «beautiful» style of play has become a shadow of it's former self, only to be replaced by a less than stellar «plug and play» mentality where players play out of position and adjustments / substitutions are rarely forthcoming before the 75th minute... if you look at our current players, very few would make sense in the traditional Wengerian system... at present, we don't have the personnel to move the ball quickly from deep - lying position, efficient one touch midfielders that can make the necessary through balls or the disciplined and pacey forwards to stretch defences into wide positions, without the aid of the backs coming up into the final 3rd, so that we can attack the defensive lanes in the same clinical fashion we did years ago... on this current squad, we have only 1 central defender on staf, Mustafi, who seems to have any prowess in the offensive zone or who can even pass two zones through so that we can advance play quickly out of our own end (I have seen some inklings that suggest Holding might have some offensive qualities but too early to tell)... unfortunately Mustafi has a tendency to get himself in trouble when he gets overly aggressive on the ball... from our backs out wide, we've seen pace from the likes of Bellerin and Gibbs and the spirited albeit offensively stunted play of Monreal, but none of these players possess the skill - set required in the offensive zone for the new Wenger scheme which requires deft touches, timely runs to the baseline and consistent crossing, especially when Giroud was playing and his ratio of scored goals per clear chances was relatively low (better last year though)... obviously I like Bellerin's future prospects, as you can't teach pace, but I do worry that he regressed last season, which was obvious to Wenger because there was no way he would have used Ox as the right side wing - back so often knowing that Barcelona could come calling in the off - season, if he thought otherwise... as for our midfielders, not a single one, minus the more confident Xhaka I watched played for the Swiss national team a couple years ago, who truly makes sense under the traditional Wenger model... Ramsey holds onto the ball too long, gives the ball away cheaply far too often and abandons his defensive responsibilities on a regular basis (doesn't score enough recently to justify): that being said, I've always thought he does possess a little something special, unfortunately he thinks so too... Xhaka is a little too slow to ever boss the midfield and he tends to telegraph his one true strength, his long ball play: although I must admit he did get a bit better during some points in the latter part of last season... it always made me wonder why whenever he played with Coq Wenger always seemed to play Francis in a more advanced role on the pitch... as for Coq, he is way too reckless at the wrong times and has exhibited little offensive prowess yet finds himself in and around the box far too often... let's face it Wenger was ready to throw him in the trash heap when injuries forced him to use Francis and then he had the nerve to act like this was all part of a bigger Wenger constructed plan... he like Ramsey, Xhaka and Elneny don't offer the skills necessary to satisfy the quick transitory nature of our old offensive scheme or the stout defensive mindset needed to protect the defensive zone so that our offensive players can remain aggressive in the final third... on the front end, we have Ozil, a player of immense skill but stunted by his physical demeanor that tends to offend, the fact that he's been played out of position far too many times since arriving and that the players in front of him, minus Sanchez, make little to no sense considering what he has to offer (especially Giroud); just think about the quick counter-attack offence in Real or the space and protection he receives in the German National team's midfield, where teams couldn't afford to focus too heavily on one individual... this player was a passing «specialist» long before he arrived in North London, so only an arrogant or ignorant individual would try to reinvent the wheel and / or not surround such a talent with the necessary components... in regards to Ox, Walcott and Welbeck, although they all possess serious talents I see them in large part as headless chickens who are on the injury table too much, lack the necessary first - touch and / or lack the finishing flair to warrant their inclusion in a regular starting eleven; I would say that, of the 3, Ox showed the most upside once we went to a back 3, but even he became a bit too consumed by his pending contract talks before the season ended and that concerned me a bit... if I had to choose one of those 3 players to stay on it would be Ox due to his potential as a plausible alternative to Bellerin in that wing - back position should we continue to use that formation... in Sanchez, we get one of the most committed skill players we've seen on this squad for some years but that could all change soon, if it hasn't already of course... strangely enough, even he doesn't make sense given the constructs of the original Wenger offensive model because he holds onto the ball too long and he will give the ball up a little too often in the offensive zone... a fact that is largely forgotten due to his infectious energy and the fact that the numbers he has achieved seem to justify the means... finally, and in many ways most crucially, Giroud, there is nothing about this team or the offensive system that Wenger has traditionally employed that would even suggest such a player would make sense as a starter... too slow, too inefficient and way too easily dispossessed... once again, I think he has some special skills and, at times, has showed some world - class qualities but he's lack of mobility is an albatross around the necks of our offence... so when you ask who would be our best starting 11, I don't have a clue because of the 5 or 6 players that truly deserve a place in this side, 1 just arrived, 3 aren't under contract beyond 2018 and the other was just sold to Juve... man, this is theraputic because following this team is like an addiction to heroin without the benefits

Starting out as a defensive midfielder, Vidal has found more success as a box - to - box player as part of a midfield three at Juventus.

The Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has always been thought of more for his ability to burst past players and create goals, with the attacking side of his game always drawing more praise and attention than the defensive side.

My Only concern is the lack of one more defender, and a defensive midfielder.

Jose Mourinho has been using Pogba less in recent games, suggesting perhaps that there's a lack of trust in the player after his struggles to adapt to a more defensive midfield role for the Red Devils.

A more traditional defensive midfielder, Lucas Silva would give the club something they don't quite have in their current line up, and his arrival may well spell the end of the line for Asier Illarramendi.