Arguments can be held for prioritising on the purchase of a quality left back, another central striker, or a right winger; but I reckon our first and most important new arrival should be a quality, experienced, beast of a defensive midfielder, come this January.
Arteta is a very fine player, and from the moment he arrived from Everton he has fitted into the team extremely well. Many of us had expected Arteta to play in a more advanced role, but he became indispensible in the deepest midfield position: the anchor role.
I have written recently what a shame it was to break up the partnership between Song and Arteta. They both made each other better players, and as a duo they became awesome last season. Their biggest problem was not having a high-quality attacking midfielder in front of them for most, if not all, of last season.
With Santi, and now also Jack, we have two very suitable players for the most advanced midfield role; and would we still have Alex Song playing for Arsenal, we would have far better options to rotate our midfielders regularly.
At the moment, we don’t have that luxury. Rosicky and Diaby have been injured for months now, and Coquelin is not given enough opportunities by the manager; which must mean only one thing: he is not impressing Arsene enough during training sessions and the few opportunities he has been given in the first team this season.
I like Coquelin: he has potential to become an Arsenal first squad regular over time. But I can see why Wenger has not given him more regular starts as yet. He has not quite made a mark for himself; and in this new era for Arsenal, in which the young, up and coming players have to compete hard with the new, more experienced arrivals – a policy which started after the acrimonious departures of Cesc and Nasri two summers ago – you have to take your chance if and when it arises. Gibbs and Jack did it, but Coquelin and Frimpong – for different reasons – have not grabbed their chances (as yet).
As a result of all of the above, thirty years old Arteta has been played in all twelve PL games, and all five CL games. And it is starting to show now. Especially in the middle of the second half of recent games, Mikel has looked a bit jaded, and the shield around our defence has suffered as a consequence.
Some opposition teams have also tried to target him, and he is often left isolated in our current 4-3-3 system; in which our midfield is often stretched vertically, with the lynchpin position – currently held by Jack – having to move between defence and attack almost constantly.
Arteta is incredibly versatile and can play in all three midfield positions. He is a great player to have in our squad, but I reckon we need to get a more traditional defensive midfielder in as soon as possible. Jack is the best player for the lynchpin role – especially now it looks like Diaby’s injury problems are haunting him once again; and Cazorla is our best option for the most advanced attacking midfield position.
If Arsenal can get a heavy-weight, traditional DM in January, Arteta could be used either for cover of any of the midfield roles; for which there will be ample opportunity, or he can keep his first team position – but we know then that we have very good cover available on the bench, if and when needed. It would also cover us for the potentially very costly risk of Arteta obtaining a long-term injury this season.
My personal view is to go with the former. I reckon a strong, traditional DM would protect our defence better and allow Jack to join Santi more regularly in making things happen up-front. Jack is not bad in helping out on the defensive side, but he is no Song; and Diaby is unlikely to come back for a long run of games. Arteta is more than capable in the deeper midfield position but he does need defensive support, which he is not getting enough of currently.
By buying a classic DM, Arsenal would become a more balanced team and Arteta would become very useful in helping with the necessary regular rotation of our midfielders. I would love a new LB and a RW, but more than anything, Arsenal need to buy a super quality DM in January.
Total Arsenal.
Please note:
Bergkampesque welcomes all new bloggers. Although some bloggers might appear very familiar and informal with each others, please never hesitate to comment if you feel like it.
Bergkampesque 
I have been saying exactly the same thing. Arteta has started to struggle later in the game and the penalty he gave away against Fulham was the culmination of the problem. Maybe even a factor in him missing the penalty.
I was not too sorry to Alex Song go as I do not think he was quite good enough; certainly no Vieira. However who is ?
Diaby seemed to be shaping up in that respect but guess what – another bad injury has come along. Sadly I think it is just about time to give up on him if he doesn’t return soon and play for the rest of the season.
We have all been critical of our defence lately, but far too many times the opposition is allowed to run at them unchallenged. The goal Bale scored on Saturday was a great example. Anyway I hope that Wenger recognises the problem and fixes it in the January transfer window.
Hi clockendjim,
Agreed with most of your observations. I think we are missing Song a lot this season, especially after Diaby became injured again. But he is gone and we have to move on. It looked like Arsene was very keen on getting a defensive midfielder this summer, but they are hard to get (quality and cost).
Top recruiters say on average a player may improve 20% once they’ve signed, but the one thing that is almost impossible to drill into a player is determination, will, and motivation.
Frimpong was exceptional during his short time at Wolves, there is no reason to suggest he can’t deliver again out on loan. We all say how we want fighters who will bleed for the club, look no further than frimpong! He could be our Tiote. It’s not like he is a one dimensional strong tackler with no passing quality as well, look at the video and you will see what he is capable of:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkpTEwu0SA8
Oz wrote (in previous post):
” For DM i’d prefer wanagyamaamamamaamama from Celtic. He smashed Barca in their game and would come relatively cheap.
But I’m still on the Frimpong/Coquelin train. One will be ready to step up when Arteta starts showing signs of drop off”
Must admit, I have not seen much of Wanyama, but he was impressive against the Catalans. A good candidate, Oz. 🙂
cheers TA, good post on a very good issue that others think needs addressing. Look from within I say. Who knows the system? Who is cheaper? Who knows the other players? Who would bleed for the club? Who hasn’t been given a chance? Who has had injury set-backs?
Coquelin + Frimpong
Lets not also forget he was in the under 21 England Squad. Like Jenks they desperately wanted him to represent England and not the other candidate country
Oz, I really like your tenacity re this topic. 🙂
I like Coquelin too and I reckon Frimpong is now way behind. But it is the sort of role where experience is needed: a lot is about reading the game well, timing interceptions right, leading other players, being verbal and physical, strong in the air and on the ground, and having the personality to boss the area. Coquelin could get there, but he needs to remain patient in my view: he is still a work in progress.
I totally agree with some of the points made, I believe it is fundamental for us to add a DM before anything else. If you look at all the best teams they combine the technical players with at least one combative midfielder (Look at Barca). At the moment we don’t have this, and although Arteta had done a great job, this is not his game and is restricting him greatly. I believe M’villa would be a great addition, I know he brings personal problems with him, but Wenger has worked with RVP, and has great man management skills especially with his French players. We could than push Wiltshire up and move Cazorla to the wing, with Theo on the right and either Podolski or Giroud up front. I like Coquelin, I think he does a good job, but he needs more game time to prove himself and like a lot of gunners, I get frustrated when he is over looked in favour of Ramsey. I honestly don’t know what Ramsey brings to the side, half the time he runs around like a headless chicken. But for all this to happen we need Wenger to stop being so stubborn, acknowledge that you cannot rely on Diaby, and that we need more steel in our midfield. If we can do this, no team in the EPL will be able to dictate play against a midfield of M’villa, Arteta, Wiltshire and Cazorla.
haha I’m glad you like it TA because here is me thinking i was just a stubborn annoying twit (which i am in this instance haha)!
Whilst I agree timing is everything for that position I don’t think you need to be all that experienced. Look at players over Europe that have excelled, most seem to start out there and move into the box to box position if they develop further.
Wanyama – 21
Busquets – 24
Khedira (broke out a few seasons ago) – 25
Song (settled in 2/3 seasons ago) – 25
M’Vila – 22
Martinez – 23
Capoue – 24
Coquelin – 21
Frimpong – 20
I just think they both haven’t had a chance. To be ridden off would be a mistake.
Coquelin was forced to play RB, LB, and was injured in parts last season.
Frimpong – 2 knee injuries
I just think project youth is a waste if too promising players can’t get an extended run in the team. Yes there is an argument that they may not show much in training, but there is those who show heaps in training and don’t deliver. Whereas there are those that step up when the confidence is shown in them.
I think coquelin can full that slot, he has the energy to do so, then frimpong i also think eastmond who is on loan at colchester could be made for this position,also he seem to have put on some mass and gain more power
There is no excuse for arteta and cazorla to have played as many full matchea as they have. I dont want to hear about the injuries. Even without rosicky and diaby, We have ox, arshavin. Coquelin, yennaris, eisfeld, gnabry. enough to give an occasional rest. TA, i see your point, maybe we need consider a traditional dm.
I agree jnyc. It’s definitely time for players like Giroud, Podolski, Mert, Arteta and Santi to be given incremental rests. Don’t need to do it all at once but they can’t keep it up!
Morning All..
TA.. For me in January we must bring a LB.. cause we can’t give Vermaelen to do this job everytime.. Yes we have Miquel and Meade.. but they are not strong enough.. not yet..
And for that reason.. Jetro Willems is absolutely a very good choice..He is young (18) and strong.. He will be a very good LB to subs Gibbs.. more than Miquel and Meade did..
I love him in Netherland shirt.. and he will be a star.. And Wenger can polish him faster..
And surprise.. he is only cost no more than 6 million..
The second.. If (just) walcott realy go.. we must bring Isco.. but the problem is.. he is not a cheap player.. he will cost 18-20 mill.. and some oily clubs will runafter him also..
But there is another choice.. Luciano Narsingh.. like you mention in your old post.. he is a very good RW.. and he may only cost us 8-10 mill..
And for another sentimental reason.. I love Dutch player in Arsenal team.. hehehe..
I like to see Dutch also not only Germany.. hahhahaha..
The last.. If we really need to buy a DM.. I choose M’Villa..
This is the right time for Wenger to bring him in.. with all his problem with Rennes and France.. he will be sell in january.. and cheap..
And as a very famous and ‘french’ coach.. Wenger can handle this monster.. and lead him to become another Song.. And I have to say Coq is very average.. Frimpong is more promising.. For now.. we still have Ramsey and Diabby and (also) Coq to cover up Arteta and Wilshere.. And for me.. Ramsey will be better as a DM than AM.. He can be another Arteta if Wenger teach him well.. hehehehe..
I like to see Eisfeld play again Aston Villa.. Anyone agree with me..??
Good Morning All, 🙂
Absolutely agree with your main contention, TA.
Oz has a point about PingPong, he has the physique for the Prem, although not that tall, but he got injured a lot as a kid, and that has carried on into his adulthood.
Given a choice, I would look to Mbwia of Montpelier, or Wambamthankyoumam of Celtic who looks a very good player.
I have previously said that I am concerned over Arteta in the future, as his age means he is not a long term prospect, and he is losing his legs. In addition, Rambo is not developing as I had hoped, and the injury has affected his form and his pace, both for Wales and Arsenal. Not as convinced about Le Coq as many others, either.
Moany git? Not really, just looking for the near future DM options for Arsenal, and not doomy for the current guys, just looking for better!
Morning Henrychan…….I agree with you about trying Eisfeld against Villa. We must try and start giving players rest periods. Most on here don’t like carpet changes, so let’s replace players one by one. We have Eisfeld, Meade, Yennaris, Gnabry. All these ate well capable of stepping up and trying out against teams like Villa,Wigan, Swansea,West Brom,Reading, Newcastle and Southampton. All of which we play up till January 1st.
Where I disagree with you Henrychan is = M’Villa……he is trouble and I don’t think he is that special, certainly in the games I have seen him play.
Total, you know my thoughts about DM and LB. ….My priority is an established left back. We must think of replacing Gibbs.
RA….a lot of sence there. I like your choice of M’Bwia, over M’Villa. He is tall strong and athletic. Just the type we need in that midfield area.
Hi VCC, 🙂
I did not think to mention the need for bringing the young kids along, so well done you for reminding me. You are spot on.
I think getting a more experienced, physically commanding player like the two above that we all seem to agree on, will give the youngsters more chance of being brought along in the first team with a ‘guardian’ looking after the rough stuff!! 🙂
Morning all,
I agree RA, I’d have him or wamygammamamama. He was very solid against us on Wednesday night. Full of energy and a lot of bite!
(YES! RA said I have a point! take that TA) haha
Morning Furry Cuppers 🙂
Great stuff Total
I like Le Coq, but if Arsene is to buy, I would also go for M`Villa. I know he comes with baggage, but nothing Arsene cant sort out, plus I think his fee would have plummeted. Also our mucker Stretch said he watched him alot on French TV and rates him.
I may have missed it, but Total, you dont say who you would like in as a DM !
Oz
My Daughter spent a year in Australia, going from Brisbane ( I think ) to Cairns and back, she made a Didgerridoo aswell, she burnt snake patterns along the sides of it, I`ve got it here looking after it !.
Hi Eddie
Thanks for a fine comment. 🙂
It looked like M’villa was coming to Arsenal last summer, but Wenger changed his mind in the last minute. He is the sort of player we need though, but his temperament has to fit the rest of the group and it is important to control yourself when you play in the PL. I am convinced now that Wenger will move on re Diaby: unfortunately he is too injury prone.
As I have approved your comment now, your next comments will show straight-away (apologies for the delay).
Hi Oz, all good points. I genuinely think he would struggle in Arteta’s position at the moment. In our system, this is such an important role and le Coq has not got what it takes yet imo. He can grow into it, but it is too early to have to rely on him. We just have to agree to disagree and I would be very happy to be proven wrong – would not be the first time! 😛
Hi and welcome Ruel 🙂
Agreed on Coquelin’s energy and he also has the physical attributes to make this role work. For me, he needs to improve on reading the game and his positioning. He does ok when he is playing with Arteta, but my point of the post was to look at who could replace Arteta in a game/ a number of games (in case of injury/suspension). I don’t think Coquelin is ready yet for that. But Oz agrees with you and he has a good eye for individual players – so maybe it is me who is wrong! 😛
As I have approved your comment now, your next comments will show straight-away (apologies for the delay).
Cheers Johnnie 🙂
It is all about the art of effective rotation. In principle I agree with you, but Arsene is building a team and I think he is worried about the impact of making changes to his team at the moment. He left Mertesacker on the bench against Chelsea and straight-away we had a bad defensive performance which probably cost us three points. It just isn’t easy.
we could do a duet GLIC! Both singing into the eyes of our mirrors!
Hi Henry,
No surprise you write a long comment when we are talking about buying players! 😛
Jetro Willems is just a prospect for me and I would rather give Meade or Miquel a chance. If we are to get somebody, it should be somebody with experience, quality and a strong physical health.
I also like Dutch players at Arsenal, but only if they are good. Narsingh is good and would fit in well at RW.
Ramsey as DM is a big no-no for me. Defending is not his strong point.
I am in full agreement with you Redders, and that is not just because I like you a lot! 😛
I am a big fan of Dembele, who went to the Spuds. For me he is the ideal DM (although he is not played in that position). I also liked Mbwia on Wednesday. Schweinsteiger would be ideal and I also like Jones of Schalke.
haha VCC, no surprise there. I would rather have a better engine than a better door – hahaha 😛
You know I agree with you we need cover at LB, but it is just less of a priority for me. If Arteta breaks a leg today, we are buggered.
On reflection, that sounds a good idea Oz !
Ooh Oz, you spotted Giroud about a year ago, and I say it again: you had a good point back then! 😀
Maybe this Celtic guy would be worth a punt, if he`s cheap enough !
Now what did Oz say his name was ?
Oh yeah, Wanyama mia, mama mia, mama mia let me go, beelzebub has a Devil put aside for me, for me, for meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
‘Furry Cuppers’ 🙂
GliC,
I just responded to RA’s comment earlier: ‘I am a big fan of Dembele, who went to the Spuds. For me he is the ideal DM (although he is not played in that position). I also liked Mbwia on Wednesday. Schweinsteiger would be ideal and I also like Jones of Schalke.’
Hey Glic, Master Nutbum 😀
You are in fine spirits this morning. How far are you with completing the love shag, and what is your prediction for tomorrow’s encounter with the Brummies?
Good idea, we can call it “Handsome reflections”
I think before the season started we could have snapped him up for 8 million (that’s the price tag being floated about), but after that barca game and given his young age he will fetch a bit more. Still cheaper than M’Vila and without the baggage.
Hey save your predictions for later! this is no time to be ruining pre-matches haha
Hi Total 🙂
It`s your fault you let me on here ! hahaha
I have dug the 12 holes for concrete pads, but I`m waitting for a guy with a Laser level to come around so I can pin out the heights of each hole, then I can fill with concrete.
Then the galvanised steel frame with adjustable feet (12) can sit on the pads and the timber frame will then be placed on to the frame. It`s one of those thing`s where your waiting around a bit, but once the steel frame is in place it will fly up.
I have built a Timber frame house before, so I know how quickly you can go from nothing to something big (steady) in a matter of hours / day !.
As for tomorrows game. I`m in agreement, there are no easy games for us, each one is a battle, but saying that, no matter who we play, I`m disappointed if we dont win !.
Even draws hurt like f**k ! hahaha I just want a win !
Oz
Please tell me you are our permanent resident pre-matcher !. As it is super quality !. 🙂
I am impressed GLiC – you are not just a romantic talker then! 😛
I bet you did not miss your drive to the land or Orc at all yesterday?!
Glic, Oz can do as many pre-match reports as he wants to, but he is a busy boy and there might be times when he cannot do them. We are very lucky to have him do them for BK now though, as I agree; they are super quality indeed! 🙂
cheers GLIC glad to hear you think so. If TA still wants me writing them I’m more than happy too. Some times it’ll be tough with uni commitments so I might miss some here and there, but even so I can send in parts of it to help (always happy to give the pre-match finger to someone haha).
thanks again
stop it you guys I might start to tear up haha. Cheers too TA. I’m flattered, I just thought it was me blabbering on for too long 🙂
Oz, I have looked around on the net, and nobody brings the vibrancy and fun factor as much as you do. On top of that, you look at the game from more than one perspective and you care to study our opponents, which I really like.
You deserve all the credit amigo. I will publish your pre-match at three this afternoon (11 pm your time). 🙂
Well TA Redders et all I firmly disagree, I’m with OZ lets promote from within unless there is a significante player available. I also totally disagree with the 1st post by clockendjim, Vieira wasn’t any good at all as a DM! Anyone recall how bad he was in that position when Gilberto Silva got injuried? Patrick only ever looked the part when he had a great DM to play alongside Petit or Gilberto. Gilberto IMHO was second only to the great Makalale, neither looked like they did too much in a game until you took them away and then gates of hell were opened. Arteta does a pretty reasonable imitation of the great Claude M but I agree he could do with help, however I think that has more to do with team set up than anything else. If 4 are played at the back with the idea that our full backs will bomb forward, then inevitably our defence will end up caught out at some point, and will therefore be under pressure. To avoid this a second DM is needed otherwise Arteta needs to sweep up right across the entireity of the back 4 line. Play two DM’s and that means a change of formation. Either 4-4-2 or the dreaded 3-4-3
Time spent in reconnaissance is seldom wasted TA, I like knowing the opposition and who are the dangerous players for the opposition. If i didn’t do that it’d just be me going on about how good we are.
But anyway back to your great post.
“If push came to shove” give me 3-4-3 I know TA knows why, but how’s about the rest of you guys?
Hi Richie 🙂
That is another fine comment and I agree with most of it. From a purely practical point of view: if Arteta breaks his leg today, you reckon we have his position covered adequately? I don’t think so; and going by the end of last season, when Arteta got injured, there is reason to be really worried.
You rightly point out the contributions of Petit and Gilberto in the past; a good DM is hard to find. With Wilshere regaining his fitness steadily we have the ideal person to play alongside Arteta in our current system. Jack has it all, and we have decent cover for him. But, in my opinion, we need to find a classy, orthodox DM who brings experience, and gives us the necessary cover for Arteta, or vice versa.
Hi richie, 🙂
Reading all of your comment I find we are more in agreement than not.
My concern was not the calibre of the younger guys, though I am not totally convinced admittedly by Le Coq – but he’ll do, but Arteta who is a fine player is nit getting any younger – hence anticipating that I think it would be wise to have someone else in the pipeline.
Not a huge area of disagreement from your position. 🙂
Richie, I have become a big fan of 4-5-1 for Arsenal. I would love us to start playing a lot more compact again and defend and attack collectively, and with Girou 🙂 we have the ideal player in the ‘1’ up-front.
I would also love to see us play 3-4-3 but I am not sure whether we have the right players for it at the moment (a hell of a lot is asked of the LM and RM in this system, for example).
Our current 4-3-3 makes me nervous. However, with Jack in the team now, and our right wing starting to fire up again, it is starting to work a lot better. The biggest risk for me is now the DM role and our left wing play (although if Gibbs can stay fit, we should stay fine: a big IF though!).
Good Morning Everyone,
I can see this is a passionate subject for you Total, but for me football is the same as it ever was whether you’re kicking a pigs bladder, rolled-up socks or an empty can of pop. People get too caught up in trying to intellectualise something which is still essentially 11 v 11 with the object being to put the ball in the opponents net/goal. We are constantly bogged-down with tactics and ‘specialised’ positions. My philosophy is if you think you can play football and you think you deserve to play at the top level, get out on the park and prove it.
And from a team ethic, attack and defend as a team, and if that means as a striker you sometimes find yourself at right/left back, so be it if it helps towards a positive end product.
Redders and TA, in truth there isn’t much between us, because on one level there can be no argument with TA (It’s his bloody site after all) : )) regarding the (Dennis forbid) absence of Arteta causing a major catastrophe for us, as in last year when we couldn’t win without him. The problem is finding another Arteta, Gilberto, or Claude Mak ain’t easy. DM’s are 10 a penny but Claude Makalale virtually invented a new position for himself, forevermore called the Makalale position. Now in Gilberto I think we had the player second only to the great Claude Mak, and as I said previously Mikel does a pretty fine impersonation. What I say is that Mikel could obviously do with a replacement/understudy as well as another DM to play alongside him. The trouble is an understudy for the Makalale position ain’t obvious, in fact Oz as you’ve been looking any suggestions? (Re phrased) Anyone seen a young Mak anywhere?
We all know this isn’t an obvious? Because our great leader (Lord Darth Wenger, no mean judge of talent him) thought he’d found one in Denilson only to eventually find that the force was not strong in him, despite all the Jedi Training. He could keep the ball moving (floating in mid air) but only if it wasn’t moved forward anywhere near the final third. Someone technical to understudy Arteta may have to be brought/ bought in because I don’t immediately see them in our ranks, but I think we already possess DM’s in those same ranks, therein lies our differences of opinion maybe??
richie, 😀
P.S.TA your dates totally F’ed up! If you were the wrong side of the pond for football like poor jnyc I’d understand? But even if you were standing on your head like Oz there’s no excuse for getting your arse before your tit ((:
As you can see I ain’t got the hang of your sites smileys, still I know day, before month before year. (:)) hopefully
Hi Herb, 🙂
When you get right down to it, you are right, of course.
But part of the fun of blogging and debating is the analysis, between chums, of what makes a great team tick, and altho I think great players make the tactics themselves it is recognized that tactics to suit players are key, whereas no tactical strategy can be disastrous!
Mourinho and Arsene would disagree with me about tactics, as would TA and about 60,000 other gooners! 😀
richie, just leave a space before and after the smiley characters.
( 🙂 ) works (:-)) doesn’t
No your smiley’s are like the old E’s with the same sign some worked and some didn’t ( : ) )
RA.. 😉
@RA As you can see I left more space at the back than Santos! Fat lot of good it did me 🙂
I pasted that one from the smiley page.
Hi Herb, football will always be 11 v 11, you are right; and I agree with a lot of what you say. But I can see and appreciate the complexity in the ways in which managers both get the best out of their individual players and out of their football strategy and tactics. 11 good players with passion will get you far though, I agree. 🙂
Richie @13.02 I see where you are coming from – lets find a new Mak, although I prefer a new Davids. 🙂
Harry for QPR.
richie,
I will have to start charging you my daily rate for smileys!! 😀
You have to type (for example) : – ) and leave NO spaces between them.
Look no hands!! : – ) works when the symbols are placed together. 🙂
You typed @ 13:47 ( : ) ) [spot the deliberate error] you have a space between : and ) this time just type : ) together, 🙂 or better still, : – ) together, 🙂
Next lesson is at my hourly rate of £200!! 👿
And leave my mate Santos and his fat ass alone, richie, so to speak!! 😆
good points all round richie.
Not sure if there is another Mak floating around. I loved Gilberto and Petit but I think the better DM’s are those that are nonstop runners, great tacklers (so much so a fair cruncher can pump the team up a gear), and create a barrier in front of the back four. Flamini is my prototype DM and that’ll never change. Probably why i love Coquelin so much
Fine Fellow Gooners, may I announce with great pleasure another cracker of a match preview by the man from the land of Oz – Oz Gunner! 🙂
New POST – NEW post!!
Who would you suggest that we buy DM wise in January?
Hi Paul and welcome,
If money etc was no option I would love somebody like Schweinsteiger. I also like Ramires of Chelsea, but obviously they are very unlikely to join us.
Kevin Strootman at PSV Eindhoven would be an option. I also like Dembele in the DM position – although he is not usually played there – but he went to Spuds instead.
What about you; any suggestions?
Hi the only player that springs to mind that will in my opinion be effective in the DM role for us in the second half of the season is Cheick Tiote at Newcastle, mainly because he is a true DM, also he knows the premier league well and would adapt straight way, last but not least he is not cup tied so would be eligile for the champions league. The only downside is that he is off to the ACN, but 3 out of 4 aint bad.
Paul, Tiote would be a possibility. If he can control is temperament (not too much) he could become a big player in the PL.
What did you make of Mbwia of Montpellier?
Solid Player, he would slot into our team and add something, he plays DM & CB quality player AC Milan also want him but if Wenger pushed it he would come to us
Due to the use of the 4,3,3 system the traditional DM as used in a 4,4,2 is not as necessary in some managers thinking, they make do by using a trio of ball playing midfielders with one sitting slightly deeper, (Mikel at Chelsea, Artetaat Arsenal, Carrick Utd)etc i prefer a 4,4,2 system playing with two strikers
Paul
I am not a big fan of 4-3-3 either. I reckon it stretches our midfield too much vertically at times, leaving players isolated. I really miss our compactness in midfield from when we played more in a 4-5-1 formation.
A lot is expected of Arteta and he is also being played too much. Last year, he did so well because Song would help out regularly, but this year he has had less defensive support. However, with Jack back things should improve for him, but it will take time. Fingers crossed Arteta does not get a long term injury.
Paul, have you noticed there is a new post on Bergkampesque now? Would also be good to know where you are based and how long you have been supporting Arsenal. 🙂
I’d like a Davids too, I watched Melo playing for the Turks who we nearly got “once upon a time” and was reminded that a real battle hardened DM enforcer alongside a Mak type would work particularly well in a 3-2-2-3. In effect a 3-4-3. Which kind of reinforces your point TA about not being sure we currently have the personel to play 3-4-3.