Deadline day came with Arsenal having spent exactly £0, with a net profit of £10m and having shaved upwards of £150,000 per-week off their wages. The boo-boys were calling for Arsene Wenger to walk until the signings of Emiliano Viviano and, more importantly, the record-breaking Mesut Özil transfer suddenly reminded everyone: we have a damn good manager!
Nevertheless, when one question is answered, another is asked; such is life as a football fan. Now the question on everyone’s lips is: how will Wenger find a way to fit all our players into one midfield?
The key is versatility. Ever noticed how much Wenger insists on identifying a player who can play in a variety of positions or styles? From a striker who can play as well on his own as he can with a partner, to a defender who can fill in for two or three positions, it is evident in a lot of his favourite players. The idea stretches to changing tactics. If an opponent has organised to stop flying wingers, Arsenal can adapt to play a narrow game. If a team has overrun the midfield to stop them from playing it through the midfield, Arsenal can be confident of pushing their attack further up the field and pulling their defence deeper to stretch the game.
The signing of Özil fits in with this philosophy remarkably well. The German with Turkish parents can use both feet very well, can play on either wing, in the hole or in a central midfield role. His style of play is suited to “The Arsenal Way” – pass, move, pass, move – and he brings that extra special something to the Gunners that has been missing since Cesc Fabregas, or even Thierry Henry, left the club.
The aforementioned versatility is a strong point in the midfield. Tomas Rosicky can play on the wings or in the centre although, with age, he is now suited to a deeper role than during his earlier years. Mikel Arteta has proven he can hold his own in a deep role, although he is probably the least versatile of the midfield because he can no longer play on the wing as a result of his declining pace.
As for Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey, they can play the deeper midfield role to frightening effect, whilst both are also a big threat from a more attacking role. Santi Cazorla, the man who one of them would often partner can play on the left-wing, the right wing or down the middle.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is not exactly stuck to filling just one position either. He is comfortable on either wing, has played as a striker and Wenger has even shown that he can be played at centre-midfield too! His fellow Englishman Theo Walcott can play on either wing or as a striker – much like Lukas Podolski. Then, the returning Frenchman, Mathieu Flamini can play in central midfield or defence.
So, with ten players to fill in five positions it seems tough, right? Wrong. Any other club would call this strength in depth (in midfield at least). Wenger likes to rotate his team, though not through choice. Inevitably, as Arsenal fans have seen year after year, two or three of these players will be injured for a large period of the season so it makes sense to have great cover.
Rotation is going to quickly become a trend that many managers fall into, seeing as some teams play up to 60 matches a year. It is only sensible in order to keep legs fresh and avoid injuries. However, regardless of rotation, Özil is expected to start most games now, and someone will have to be benched.
With Ramsey showing in his early-season form that he can be unplayable in the Arteta-role of holding midfield, it seems that the Spaniard will be the casualty. He will still be used, but his time as a starter is nearing an end. This then leaves a fight for the two attacking midfielders, with a shootout between Cazorla and Wilshere to partner Ozil. The likelihood is that Wilshere will be injured, so a Cazorla-Özil partnership looks the best bet.
If, for any reason, Wenger decided that he wanted to try out a different combo in midfield, he can easily rest a winger and place Özil in their part of the pitch. The options are extremely varied due to the positional capabilities within the squad.
The more that is written and said, the more it is thought that Özil will be used as a winger foremost. This makes sense. Oxlade-Chamberlain is still learning and Podolski is slightly out of favour, despite scoring twice against Fulham. Will Walcott even be guaranteed a starting place come the end of the January transfer window? He has been outstanding in the past year, but he could lose his place if someone of Angel Di Maria’s quality came in.
The potential mix of line-ups is impressive. The tactics need to be the same. Hopefully, if played as a winger, we will see him switch wings. If played in the hole behind the striker, he needs to be supported by two deeper midfielders, but just to surprise rivals he could be accompanied by another attacker.
The fact that people, including Arsenal fans, have been complaining that the Gunners now have too many midfielders is ludicrous. The rest of the squad just needs to catch up now. So with Özil, Flamini and Viviano joining, just please sign a defender and a striker to rival Olivier Giroud, Arsene!
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