So, with Diaby confirmed out for at least three weeks, Arsene faces a difficult decision with regards to who should replace him tonight and on Saturday.
In the system that Arsenal plays, the ‘Diaby/Wilshere’ role – one of the two deeper laying midfielders positioned between the defence and our attack minded players – is one of the most unconventional in football. A large variety of skills are required and the success of the team depends for a considerable part on how well that role is performed.
Arteta and Cazorla – the former the deepest laying midfielder who shields the defence, and the latter mainly responsible for conducting our attacking play – have more or less clear, straightforward roles in our team. For the other deeper laying midfielder, the tasks and requirements are less clear-cut.
For the sake of not having to refer constantly to the ‘Diaby/Wilshere’ role or the ‘second-more advanced deeper laying midfielder’ role, I am going to use the term ‘the Lynchpin’ from now on in this post.
The Lynchpin links up our (mainly) defensive players with our (mainly) attacking players. If he does his job well then defence and attack are linked up seamlessly in the middle. The Lynchpin needs to be able to help out the defence when under extreme pressure: read the game well, positioning himself cleverly, win back balls, hold on to balls, simple and effective passing of the ball, and the most difficult skills of all: being able to break through a wall of oppositional pressing, move the play forward quickly with either a simple pass, a powerful run (utilising the space in front of him), or delivering a penetrating pass to an advanced attacking player as quickly as possible.
On a good day, Diaby can play that role to perfection. He was so good against Liverpool that I almost cried of joy. It seems a long time ago, but Jack Wilshere is another player who can play this role to near perfection. He was, for example, one of the key players responsible for that memorable home ‘turn-around’ win against Barcelona two seasons ago.
Although we are blessed to have two such great players, we all know that they are both very prone to injury. I am convinced that if either of them had played for us the whole of last season, we would have done so much better. And their fitness is likely to make or break our season also this time round.
Diaby is out for three weeks and JW10 is still not ready for full-on first team football; so who should Arsene select in the Linchpin position for the next two games against Olympiakos and West Ham?
Rosicky is also still injured, so he is not an option. Coquelin is a possibility but he is still inexperienced and I am not sure whether this role is the right one for him. Coquelin could be slotted into Arteta’s deeper laying role and Arteta could move into the Lynchpin role. But we need the security and stability of Arteta as the main protector of our defence and I am also not sure he has all it takes for the Lynchpin role.
The Ox is an option but I reckon he is still too inexperienced for such a big role, and he is probably not strong enough (yet) defensively.
The most obvious candidate is Aaron Ramsey, but he struggled to get a grip of the Lynchpin role against Chelsea on Saturday. I reckon Aaron is the perfect attacking midfielder in a classic 4-4-2, but in our system he is not allowed enough time and space to control our games. I like Aaron, though, and he had a good game against Citeh in that position, especially in the latter stages of the game. So maybe he should get another chance against Olympiakos and West Ham in that pivotal position.
A good alternative to consider is moving Cazorla in the Lynchpin role, and play Podolski or Arshavin in the creative midfield position. I personally like the sound of that, although I am not sure how he would cope with the defensive side of things, especially against a very physical side like West Ham on Saturday.
And then finally, we could consider moving Vermaelen into midfield as a classic DM ‘bruiser’, and play two attack-minded midfielders in front of him; say, Arteta and Cazorla, or Cazorla and the Ox. It would be just like we did against Milan at home, with Song in that role and both the Ox and Rosicky in front of him. Although I would like that very much, I cannot see Arsene changing the system so much right now.
So, plenty alternatives, but who do you think should get the all important Lynchpin role in the next two games?
Total Arsenal.
Bergkampesque 
Hi Total 🙂
You are great at these indepth tactical posts, you make your reasonable points clear and are open to other peoples input which brings on your other ability, to take on someone elses point and adapt it to your own, a sort of hybrid one
I agree, there are plenty of alternatives, which is a nice luxury. Swapping around Le Coq and Zorro is my prefered one. Altenatively, me and Stretch are available. The Thing and The Thong. The Thong will sit deep, keep it neat tidy and compact. The Thing will do all the probing !. hahaha
Haha Glic, every time you mention Thing and Thong, I am reminded of a song the Dutch won the Eurovision Song Festival with, many years ago. It went something like ‘Van je ding dinge dong, singe me a song….’.
Good call on Arteta and Coquelin: it would cause the least upheaval, but it would be a muchos biggos testos for the the Cocky Lin! 🙂
I think arteta has a small injury. We shouldnt take any chances with him. – and on your theo thoughts yesterday. Its a shame, but i think its too late. We let it go too long, foolishly. I think i would give him chances in capital one cup, but he should have been tested there before this. Not enough time now for him or us. But i see the value in ur fluid front three theory as pertains to walcott.
Hi Nigel and welcome 🙂
If he has indeed a slight injury, we should not risk him. But missing out on both Arteta and Diaby, without either JW or Rosicky available, would be a considerable set-back tonight. Mmmmm…. We need to win tonight to regain momentum again and I would say that if Arteta is able to play, Arsene will play him.
You about Herb ?
Keep meaning to ask but always forget ( it`s the amnesia………who am I and what was the question ? ………oh yeh…. hahaha ), do you get to go any games ?
I should make it clear to any accountants ( yes you, Redders and Stretch )., my comments are not linked to BODMAS, so you dont have to read whats in the brackets first !. Plus I dont want any division in the camp, but you can subtract the people with multiple personalities on here, they`ve got their fingers in too many pi`s (aprox 3.14159) hahaha
Fantastic post TA.
You have nailed it again with your analysis. Ramsey is indeed suited for 442, and consequently as yet, we have not seen the best of him. I noticed last season that his positioning was quite ofton wrong, Driffting into Artetas space to often and hence inbalancing the team. I am starting to wonder if this is because he has so much energy that his legs do the thinking rather than his mind?, if that makes sense.
If this is the case then it is a question of experience. The guy has great quality and with time should be become more tacticaly aware of his role. I realy hope so because i see fantastic potential there.
Stretch, stop stalking me from site to site !. hahaha
Cornwall, you know i enjoy a good Stalk. hahaha
Just the answer I expected . hahaha
I even bet the missus you would say that, she`s not pleased she lost the bet ! . hahaha
Hi GLiC 🙂
BODMAS is a forbidden word on Bergkampesque! 😛
Hi Terry the Terrible 🙂
I am pretty sure Ramsey will play tonight in the Linchpin position, and if so, we can have another good look at him. He is a very talented player and let’s hope he will come good at Arsenal.
Hi Total, thanks for the info, an e-mail has been sent to Redders, I don’t know what he’ll make of it though.
We all like to play ‘Football Manager’ with team selections etc., but knowing we’re not really challenging for the big prizes has dampened my enthusiasm somewhat, and until that changes I’m not that bothered.
I know you heartily disapprove of ‘Le Grove’, but as with any blog they have quite a few intelligent bloggers there who are just as passionate about our Football Club as us, and aside from the choice of language, some have some very sobering points to make, particularly today regarding
Ivan Gazidis and what he actually does for the club.
Hi GliC, I am one of life’s paupers, so the answer to your question is no. The last time I was lucky enough to watch Arsenal was early 1990’s at Highbury.
Total
I was actually thinking of a similar position for Mr Persie, the Lynching position . I haven`t decided what stand shall be used yet !. There`s also the possibility of a Bronze statue of him in the Lynching position as well !.
We would be honoured if you could do the unveiling ceremony !. hahaha
Hi Herb
The stadium looks great on the TV and pictures, but If you want to have your breath taken away, a visit is a must. Walking out at the top , to be greated with such a view not only took my breath away, but brought a tear to my eye`s. I knew instantly that we were building for a bright future and I believe that is`nt too far away, the foundations are sound.
Honestly Herb, I cant stress how much you need to go, it may even have an affect on your opinion. I said, ” may ” !. hahaha
Hi Herb, I don’t disapprove of LG: they are a good site but – in general – just tend to take a different angle towards Arsenal than I do. Nothing wrong with that.
Hi GLiC, I would be honoured! 🙂
Cheers GliC, I hope to get there one day before I shake off my mortal coil.
I understand and fully appreciate times and Football has long since moved on, but I think most Arsenal fans would be happy if the club had the same drive and spirit that Herbert Chapman presided over. There’s no better way to make money than having a successful brand.
Hi Herb, you have always been passionate about the way in which Chapman ran the club. Hopefully you’ll feel a bit better about our prospects after the next two games. 🙂
True Herb
I think we are a forward looking club/business, we have took our time to build the strong foundations needed for us to be successfull in the future. Comparing a relatively short history, we have been the third most successfull team in England out of the current 92 league clubs, not bad going really and there is a long future ahead.
If FFP doesn`t work out, I`m sure Usmanov will somehow force his way in and use the Chav/City method of success. We have the best of both worlds, whereas CIty/Chavs have only one way at the moment and it could come crashing down around them. Hopefully !. hahaha
‘The best of two worlds’ GLiC, Terry will love you for that comment! 🙂
Ta, excellent Post, as ever!! 🙂
I think your idea of unleashing TV in a midfield ‘enforcer’ role makes a lot of sense, and it is something that I have proposed too, tho’ I think AW would not do it and therefore Rambo will play with Arteta and Cazzor. (No, Glic, I did not mean play with in those terms, I probably meant ‘play besides’) 🙂
In one of my more revolutionary moments, I also proposed that Djourou could play in the old Song role.
Advantages: good physique; tall; more skilled than some give him credit for; does not want to play out of position in attack, as he does not think he is Lionel Messi. Case proven!! 🙂
For all my emotional investment over the last 44 years supporting Arsenal, the Board have made shocking decisions during that time, and knowing what Chapman built all leaves me feeling betrayed and let down with the direction the club is now going.
Herb,
Have you read the book, “Herbert Chapman on Football”? I read it some time ago, and altho’ set in a very different era, his thoughts on football make very interesting reading.
He might not approve of your cult of personality tho’!!! 🙂 Especially his!
Hi Redders,
no I haven’t, but since you have brought it to my attention I shall have to visit Waterstones.
Many thanks for the advice, much appreciated.
Herb,
I have just looked it up and the paperback version costs £5.69 from Musicmarket via Amazon, but now I think on it, I believe I borrowed a copy from my local library. No need to spend hard earned dosh!! 🙂
[My local library has since closed due to budget cuts — more’s the pity!]
Cheers Redders, ever the accountant, making yourself a discount. As the Jazz man says on ‘The Fast Show’, nice!
Herb, 🙂
Hi Redders, you are right: the most likely threesome tonight is Cazzor, A Treat, Rambolala. Soon we will know! 🙂
RA, thanks for post. I have just emailed you. Speak later! 🙂
Herb
When do you think the direction changed ?
I often wonder where Arsenal would be now without the outbreak of WW2 . We were on top of the world .I wonder how many more trophy`s we would have won ?. Did the war outbreak make a more level playing field once it ended ?.
I`m sure we would have won more, just like I`m sure we would have won more without the “Abramovich factor” !.
Arsenal: Mannone, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Coquelin, Cazorla, Arteta, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho, Podolski.
Subs: Shea, Santos, Djourou, Arshavin, Ramsey, Walcott, Giroud
I`m worried, no Thong and Thing in midfield and I dont mean Frimthong or Thingpong !. hahaha
Wow, surprising line-up. Let’s see who will be the Lynchpin, Arteta or Coquelin. Must be the Spaniard. A fluent three up-front again…. Interesting! 🙂
2006 GliC. Selling to someone 1000’s of miles away who couldn’t care less what happens on the playing-field is a major achillies heel too.
Although I could cite the Board for appointing Terry Neill when Bobby Robson or Cloughie would have been so much more dynamic. Or again, the Board could be cited for thinking that George Graham was a better choice than Alex Ferguson. They’re either quite thick when it comes to making basic football decisions, or they don’t quite get the level of ambition the supporters have.
Gervinhohohohoho!!!!
Candidly, TV has been very shaky in that first half. Disappointing.
That’s it RA – shaky, nervy: a lack of confidence which he tries to hide by pushing himself to the limit? 😦
great post TA, Coquelin deserves his chance i feel.
Agree in regards to TV, he had regressed this season
Hi Oz 🙂
He is not playing bad given circumstances. TV on the other hand..
it’s looking quite weak all over the pitch tbh, pod and ox need to deliver more
You should have said that earlier! 🙂 The PODDDD!!!
I take that back Podolski haha.
He is as effective as they come, only needs the ball a few times a game to impact it. Missing in action then all of a sudden he has a goal and assist to his name!
Podgoalski! Gervinho is the difference though – at least from an attacking point of view.
Great little dink from Rambo, but that came from Giroud who looked a proper CF from the minute he came on.
Not the best of games but we won and that is what matters. Much better 2nd half tho! 🙂
All three substitutes did well and, for once, made a real difference. Really enjoyed the second half, albeit on a dodgy stream.. 😦
Don’t you have Sky, TA?
It’s expensive but I cannot do without it for all the various sports including the American games!! 🙂
Well one of us has to get up tomorrow morning at 5 p.m.! Yikes. 🙂
Nite guys.
a.m. even!! 🙂
RA, I have SKY through BT Vision, which does only include SKY Sports 1 & 2, but not 4 😦
Unfortunately, the stream was too bad to do player ratings!
Nite RA, I will publish your post in the morning. Hope that is ok! 🙂
A Red Arse headliner…are you trying to scare punters away….lol
3pts tonight happy days. Loving the quality of our full backs, very disappointed in oiur skipper. Those headless chicken runs when we’re supposed to be closing out the game were absolutely criminal
Hi Sharkey, totally agreed re the headless runs. I can only imagine TV was instructed to do these, cause if not, he will get a real rollocking by the Boulddozer! 🙂
New Post! 🙂
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