However, the inclusion of Kamara in particular is an interesting one as it gives an indication of what Arsene Wenger is planning to do in regards to his lack
of defensive midfielders at the moment.
Not exact matches
But the game does a decent job
at giving you plenty
of options — young and old — who are free agents, if you find that your current group
of defensive midfielders don't include Nemanja Matic or Paul Pogba in their ranks.
We need
at least five quality players a defender, goalkeeper, a
defensive midfielder, a attacking
midfielder and a striker Though winning the f.a cup did take a bit
of pressure
of him only time will tell There got to be a new structure
at the club, and get rid
of the also rans like Lucas Perez, Jenkinson, debuchy and sagono for starters
The
midfield is a diamond arrangement with Ozil
at the north
of the diamond, Carzola and Xhaka on the sharing the deep lying role in the west and the east
of the diamond and Coquelin on the south
of the diamond as
defensive midfield.
Having made his first - team debut
at the age
of just 15, the
defensive midfielder has continued to make progress and has featured for Wales
at Under - 19s level.
The best formation Arsenal could have in defence and attack would be three
at the back, three man
midfield of a world class
defensive mid, Xhaka and Ramsey just in front with Sanchez and buy a world class striker (maybe Costa from Chelsea).
But his age is making me to panic
of his manning the Gunners
defensive holding
midfield role against the speedy Barca's pouncers in Feb Ucl clash
at the Ems in Feb next year.
An expert
defensive midfielder with great positional awareness, intelligent passing, and great technique to boot, it is little surprise to see Busquets become part
of Guardiola's plans
at the Etihad Stadium.
Yes he could be alot better
at finishing, but let's see, maybe we got a new sturridge... What I am mad on Wenger about is not so much the lack
of a proven striker to our ranks... No it's that we haven't bought a central defender to cover, but most important, we haven't bought a
defensive midfielder, that we need so much!!? Wenger makes the same mistakes over and over, everybody else can see it, just not him... hmm: / but still lets respect him as a man and judge when we are atleast half way into the season... COYG!!!!
Monreal in
at CB provides an adept and semi creative ball playing presence in the
defensive third which I think is important to keep us moving the ball fluidly and intelligently and also means opposition need to compensate for the possibility
of Monreal clipping the ball over the top to Lacazette and cutting the
midfield out.
Coutinho is the real problem for me in that Liverpool team.He can destroy
midfield strategies.That's why I worry when I see us with no DMF.Years back (14/15) I remember Coquelin back pocketing Coutinho yet it's likely Wenger will bench him for no reason.That guy has so much potential if only he's used wisely.He has the abilityto mark players out
of a game and intercept many passes.I know many
of you will call me stupid and say he's average but imagine if Coquelin was used in a very
defensive sense.Being brilliant tactically is all about producing the best system with the players you have and clearly that's not what's happening.I already lose hope when I see Kolasinac and Bellerin
at WB whsn clearly it doesn't suit them.WB's are so important in a 3 back but clearly we've ignored that.
the Ramsey, Xhaka partner ship is not a balanced one as none
of them are truly
defensive midfielders and I know from our previous experience they are no good
at all what is going on
at Arsenal with this kind team selection it will probably be a draw if not a loss hope I would be proved wrong
In an interview with the Hull Daily Mail, the 20 - year - old
defensive midfielder explained how he jumped
at the chance to join the Gunners as a teenager when he learned
of their interest.
The Gunners may have sorted out most
of their problems
at the back and eventually started playing with a
defensive midfielder in Francis Coquelin, but Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott aren't really good enough up front to lead you to the title
I knew aubameyang would not be as effective here
at arsenal because
of our style
of play, our football is pathetic, lack
of vertical penetration, lack
of proper wingers to offer width and one on one dribbling or crosses from the by - line, lack
of a proper
defensive midfielder, zonal marking on corners instead
of man marking, i can go on but we all know our weaknesses.
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.
Burnley will do him a lot
of good, wish we'll get a quality beastlike leader defender who'd shout
at his players and take responsibility, how I miss keown.perfect Transfer will see debuchy, chambers and an aggressive
defensive midfielder join auba and miki
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
Defensive midfielder Victor Wanyama, meanwhile, is expected to join Manchester United in the summer with Sir Alex Ferguson keen to bring the giant 21 - year - old Kenyan, also valued
at upwards
of # 7million, to Old Trafford to provide protection to his back four.
This stems from a lack
of strong
defensive backs and
midfielders, being played out
of position, and Wengers sh@tty job
at team rotation.
Look back
at our heavy defeats last season and you will see it was our fullbacks and most
defensive midfielder that were too far out
of position when we were conceding goals
Arsene Wenger will have been impressed by the efforts
of Francis Coquelin last term, the Frenchman being ushered back from a loan spell
at Charlton Athletic ahead
of a good run
of form in the second half
of the campaign, but the Gunners boss is sensibly looking to bring in another
defensive midfielder solution in the form
of 26 year old German international Bender.
Weaknesses
at centre - back, left - back and in
defensive midfield are partly to blame for Liverpool's leakiness, but Jurgen Klopp's side have also suffered due to their lack
of a top - class goalkeeper.
The
midfielder was also admirable in his time
at centre - back with Barcelona and he was one
of the only
defensive players to have come out
of the Catalan club with his reputation intact.
Young Greek international is considered by many as one
of the best young talents in Europe and the defender /
defensive midfielder has certainly impressed
at Schalke over the past two seasons.
The Kenyan international has had a highly impressive season in the Premier League, showing himself to be one
of the finest young
defensive midfield players in England
at the moment.
So i think to mount a serious title challenge we need
at least a
Defensive midfield back
of a good guilty and if we can get someone who is better than what we have got upfront!
Bellerin and Monreal is always almost on the corner line crossing ball's, we are always leaving defense bankrupt and vulnerable for a take over, by the time Monreal and Bellerin return to their station they have just sprinted the whole
of the pitch to make a
defensive tackle sometimes coming in from behind the player in our box without giving a penalty or just outside for a free kick which we can not defend set peaces, if we are to use them some
midfield players have to drop back which is not happening
at the moment
Mourinho has a host
of defensive and holding
midfield options
at present, with Serbian Nemanja Matic now the regular in the Chelsea starting line - up.
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.
At the moment I would not need to take a gooner vote to find out which player would make their starting 11 in that
defensive midfield role out
of him, Arteta and Flamini.
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.
Lahm, when he plays as the
midfield pivot, is pivotal to the Bavarians maintaining a good
defensive shape but, even he, with his lack
of pace, cost Bayern in the first leg
at the Bernabeu.
If Gabriel Paulista does leave Arsenal this summer due to his likely becoming surplus to requirements
at Arsenal which himself might have sensed, apart
of the 4 specialist defenders
of: Koscielny, Monreal, Mustafi and holding who have been regularly manning the Arsenal back three line
of recent, other centre backs like Mertersacker & Chambers, and
defensive wingbacks
of Bellerin, Kolasinac, and the
defensive midfielders of Elneny & Niles, can all also play as centrebacks in a back three or back four denfese - line whenever the need arised.
Song was magnificent
at Arsenal before moving to the Spanish giants and has regained his old touch since coming back to the Premier League with West Ham and
at 27 years
of age, is probably
at the peak
of his powers, and if Arsenal had used him as a
defensive midfielder he would ave been a welcome addition to the Gunners squad.
In fact, in the modern day game, as much as any team requires a «
midfield creator» who can provide assists and be the engineer to break down the
defensive walls; it's equally important that you possess a «
midfield destroyer» who,
at times, proves to be the 3rd Center - Back, ahead
of the two men
at the heart
of the defence.
The problem is when you have an average
defensive midfielder then your backline can never be
at rest.Coquelin should have started this match.Some people think he's average but I feel he's been played out
of position and being tasked with doing too much like a box to box player.How can someone who bases his game on tackling and interception lose that ability all
of a sudden and you tell me nothing's wrong but bdcause he's average.Are we fans going to ignore what is plain to us?Let's just pretend things are alright.Then after we win the cracks will be papered only for them to be exposed another day.
With this type
of formation we would need to use Coquelin as an old - fashioned
defensive midfielder, with his main priority on protecting the back four, which is what he's best
at.
ramsey is no winger arteta no
defensive midfielder and walcott no striker... we do nt have shape... bellerin working his socks off to make up for mertesaker and ramseys lack
of pace... stops him going forward when he does we create problems for them as with second goal... ozil i am sorry to say is clueless
at the moment... monreal and kos doing ok....
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.
But we have Arteta, Flamini and Coquelin to play as
defensive midfielder, if they all get injured there's not really that much you can do as manager — you can only name 25 players in your squad
at the end
of the day, it can't be an endless list
of backups.
The six players are; young striker Chuba Akpom who has been on fire this season and scored a hat - truck in the last under 21 game, Gedion Zelalem, the central
midfielder who has been compared to Cesc Fabregas, Ainsley Maitland - Niles, the talented winger who was on the bench for the Stoke game, Stefan O'Connor the promising 17 - year old centre back who recently signed his first professional contract, Alex Iwobi the Nigerian born winger and nephew
of Jay - Jay Okocha and finally the young
defensive midfielder Glen Kamara who also plays for the Finland national team
at under 21 level.
Roberto has shone for Barcelona in a number
of midfield and
defensive roles, and Don Balon reported that he was considering his future
at the club.
So wait a minute.Are Arsenal looking for a
defensive midfielder or a box to box player.I'm really disappointed in Xhaka's defending.He's very good with his long passing but I don't think he's the best option when it comes to box to box.In Arsenal he's normally used as the
defensive midfielder particular deep lying playmaker and this actually means that we need someone who is fantastic
at attacking and can also do very well defensively so as to compliment for Xhaka's
defensive short comings.Ludo Goretzka is very good defensively from the little I've seen but I don't really know much about his attacking qualities.But I also hope Arsenal does not forget about Mario Lemina.He's a complete
midfielder and to me has the capabilities to be one
of Europe's best if given the chance.He can defend very well and attack very well.He's a player Juventus would regret selling.As for Goretzka I know he's very good defensively but have» t seen much
of him in terms
of attack.If he's as good as in attack I'd sign him.
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.
Central
midfield, or the
defensive side
of it
at least, has been a problem position for Arsenal for as long as some younger Gooners will remember.
Okay Arsenal fans, we might still have a nice surprise in store from Arsene Wenger in the last few days
of the January transfer window, but if not then we have
at least signed a promising young
defensive midfielder in Krystian Bielik and what seems to be a very good and versatile defender in Gabriel Paulista.
Let's get real here.It is very unlikely that ANY professional player will ever say anything derogatory about a teammate that has just left the club.If Jack had said about Coq - «Grew up playing with him in the Youth Team and have fond memories
of a player they though he had very limited ability he always gave his all.Very surprised and disappointed the club never invested in a World Class
defensive midfielder that we have quite obviously been lacking for a number
of seasons and would no doubt have improved the
defensive weakness we have shown over a number
of seasons» we would have echoed his thoughts entirely.If he had said about Theo - «A player who should have been so much better than he ended up being.He had everything needed to be a prolific player for our club but I can understand the fans frustrations with his continued lack - lustre performances and total lack
of a football brain.I think this is best explained by the managers preference to play a player
of such limited ability as Alex Iwobi in front
of Theo pretty much says it all» we again would have all nodded our agreement.Although Jack never mentioned Alexis Sanchez I would imagine something along the lines
of «If the Manager had not persisted with players with such limited ability such as Francis and Theo and instead bought the world class players needed into the club then Sanchez would still most likely be here.The fans must wonder what the hell goes on
at the club as they pay fortunes for the privalage
of following our club but it seems the millions generated ends up purchasing a new Texas Ranch for the Owner or in a yearly renumeration
of # 9million pounds to our manager».
At the close
of the transfer window, Wenger said that the team didn't need to add a
defensive midfielder or a central defender or a striker.