Over the years, Arsenal have been known as arguably the best passing team in England, even the world, and still are a phenomenal team to watch when they’re in full swing.
Obviously a key factor to this is the midfield, who orchestrate the way the team play throughout the game, especially down the centre coming from the central midfield players.
Looking at the Gunners’ rivals in the Premier League and around Europe, most of them have gone out and spent millions on World Class players, usually from their own rival teams.
But there’s something special about Arsenal’s midfield that’s very rare in the Europeans Elite teams. Admittedly, Wenger has gone out and spent his money in Arsenal’s club record breaking transfer fee for Mesut Özil form European Giants, and rivals to Arsenal, Real Madrid, for £42.5m, and last summer’s big signing, winger Alexis Sanchez from Madrid’s bitter rivals, Barcelona in a £35m deal.
But, the special thing about Arsenal’s midfield, is that the majority of their vital players now have come from the academy, or signed at a very young age, being no where near the first team at the time, but have rapidly progressed under Wenger, and are now the back bone to the present eleven.
Not all these players were free, but they all came at a small price to pay at the time, for what they turned out to be. For example, Wenger completed the signing of Aaron Ramsey from Cardiff in 2011 for an estimated fee of around £5m. After his career changing 2013/14 season, where he was a stand out player in the Premier League, and probably one of the best, there were various rumours of him being linked to the some of the Giants of World Football that seem to go for all the Premier League’s stars, such as Barcelona who have reportedly been planning a £50m deal for the Welshman this summer, according to the Daily Star.
However, Arsenal’s, once young guns, who have burst on to the scene and made more than just a name for themselves don’t stop there. Other players that are absolutely crucial at this moment in time for the Gunners squad are Jack Wilshere, who came from the Arsenal academy after joining at only 8 years old, Francis Coquelin, that cost a very small price of roughly £700,000 to join Arsenal Under 18’s, who Wenger has recently shared his Opinion to the Daily Express that Arsenal ‘saved a potential £40m’ by having Coquelin at his disposal rather than spending a fortune like most other teams probably would have done, and finally Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who cost Arsenal a mere £10m-£15m all told, when he joined the Gunners in 2011.
Let’s not forget Arsenal still have Krystian Bielik, who cost £2m last summer, Gedion zelalem (free), Serge Gnabry, joining the Under 18’s for next to nothing, and Daniel Crowley, who seems to be progressing at an alarming rate, through the Academy ranks, as well as Alex Iwobi, Jeff Reine-Adelaide and Isaac Hayden. All these youngsters have great potential in the eyes of Arsene Wenger, and are expected to have big futures at Arsenal Football Club.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s midfield are currently as follows; Tomas Rosicky, Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere, Mesut Özil, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla, Mathieu Flamini, Francis Coquelin, Gedion Zelalem, Krystian Bielik, Serge Gnabry, whereas Theo Walcott, Alexis Sanchez, Joel Campbell and Danny Welbeck, can either play wide of midfield, or as a striker.
Anyone with any sense of footballing knowledge can see that there’s an extraordinary amount of depth and variety within the squad’s midfield, and all Arsenal fans are aware of the bags of talent that’s also included in the bunch.
This suggests Wenger has multiple options to choose from when deciding who to play across the park, and has that crucial ability to be able to vary who he plays and where he plays them, depending on this opposition or how he believes the game needs to be played from an Arsenal point of view, whether it’s attacking or defensive for example.
Wenger can also play a range of different formations, over the last couple of seasons, the main formations we’ve seen from him include only one striker, leaving five midfielders to select, which suits Arsenal as the squad seems to be rammed with midfielders.
His preferred formations seemed to have been 4-3-3, using three central players sitting behind an attacking line of 3 (usually two wingers either side of the striker), 4-2-3-1, where they’ll be two holding midfielders (sometimes one playing very slightly in front of the other), one player ‘in the whole’ just behind the lone striker, with two wide players, or the 4-1-4-1, with one holding central midfielder, with 4 more midfielders just ahead, two central, two wide, sitting in behind a lone striker, who can sometimes seem isolated in this particular formation, as the line of four midfield usually sit further back leaving less support for the forward.
All these formations can be slightly altered in quite a few ways, but the one that seems to have stuck with Wenger is the 4-2-3-1, which in many people’s opinions, is Arsenal’s most comfortable and suited formation. A website named ‘Babb‘ claim Wenger used the same formation back in his Monaco days, and has stuck with him ever since, despite trying out various others since then and now, such as the classic 4-4-2 a few years back.
Arsene has a very talented bunch to choose from every weekend, because a lot of them can alter their own position and adapt well to something slightly different to where they’re most comfortable, whether this be for just a one off game, or as a new position.
So, what are some of the options Wenger has available when selecting his midfield?
Option one, 4-2-3-1.
Firstly Francis Coquelin, for most people he has to have a role in the middle, preferably more defensively. There has been a lot of debating whether is should be Aaron Ramsey or Santi Cazorla partnering him as a pair of defensive midfielders, but let’s go with the Spaniard for now, Cazorla. So with a defensive partnership of Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla it’s time to move on the the more attacking line of midfielders.
Although the Frenchman has a lot to choose from, the Central attacking midfielder should be an easy option for Wenger, Mesut Özil. Everyone knows what he is capable of with a ball in such dangerous area’s, and all about his vision, when he wants to be he is the heart of the team.
That leaves the two wide men. Now, depending on who you have up front, can vary who you have out wide. So let’s just say Olivier Giroud is up top. Since Alexis Sanchez arrived at the Emirates he has been Sensational to say the least, so he has to have a place out wide, on the left. Leaving room on the right for our in form player, Theo Walcott. Now playing as more of a striker, Theo will always have the ability to play on the wing, it’s natural to him because he’s played there for so long. Having a pair of wingers of their speed will give any back four in the world an absolute nightmare, and also makes everything a lot easier for the target man up top too.
This midfield selection is most likely one of Arsenal’s strongest, Coquelin, Cazorla, Özil, Alexis, Walcott. and that’s leaving out some unbelievable talent, ready to come on off the bench.
Option two, 4-2-3-1.
Again going with the same formation, as it does seem to be the best fit for Arsenal, this time going with an Aaron Ramsey and Francis Coquelin partnership as the defensive midfielders. Ramsey can play more attacking and even as a wide player if need be, but has recently spoke out to the media saying he’ll be doing his best this season to win back a spot in the middle of the park. With this position in this formation though, he’s in his element, and can push forward a little further then Coquelin, who’s a much more defensive player and will sit back, which is why these two would suit well together.
For the central attacking position, another wizard that can be as deadly as any CAM (Central Attacking Midfielder) in the world, Santi Cazorla. He can play anywhere in the midfield and be comfortable, whether it be defensive, attacking, or out wide, this little magician is arguably Arsenal’s most talented player, can use both feet equally as good, and adapts his game to his position very well.
Out wide this time we’ll go for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain occupying the right hand side of midfield, another player who has the ability to play central, but fits in as a wide player with his great technique and speed. On the other flank, again it has to be Alexis Sanchez.
So this time, the midfield line up as follows; Coquelin, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alexis, Cazorla.
Option three, 4-1-4-1.
As our strongest and easily most talented defensive midfielder looking back at last season, it looks like Francis Coquelin will have to fill this gap on his own. His communication, bravery and commitment has shot him up the list of popular payers throughout the squad. He’s feisty, aggressive and strong which is the exact CDM (Central Defensive Midfielder) we’ve needed since the Viera days.
There are loads of different options to pick from for the line of four sitting behind the striker, one of which could be surprising for some, having Danny Welbeck move out wide on the right. Welbeck is pacey, not so technically gifted, but he works very hard, and a good work rate is a essential for any midfielder, or any player on the pitch for that matter. Out on the left there’s still plenty of options, Alexis, the OX, Gnabry, Walcott, Ramsey, even Wilshere has found himself out on the left recently. We’ll go with the OX because he also has an unbelievable work rate and can play central, so can easily drop back and cover in that CDM position when Arsenal are in danger and possession is against them, he can win the ball back with his strength and game reading abilities. Having only one CDM means the other midfielders, especially the ones out wide have to work extra hard to make sure the lone CDM isn’t isolated under pressure, and is given support, as the wide players can drop back of need be and the other 3 in the line of 4 can spread, and move temporarily into a 4-2-3-1 formation.
In the centre, Mesut Özil and Santi Cazorla, probably the most deadly, frightening pair of Central Midfielders in the league at the top of their game especially when on the attack. They both contribute to and score goals, and everyone knows what Mesut can do, everything good seems to go through him and with players all around him, there’s no doubt he’ll pick out a killer pass sooner or later.
Coquelin, Özil, Cazorla, Welbeck, Oxlade-Chamberlain are another option that can play together as a midfield, another strong, but different option.
Option Four, 4-2-3-1.
Some managers may be struggling for different ideas now with what to do with their midfield and who they can select, but not Arsenal, they still have half the midfielders left that haven’t been mentioned.
As we return to the 4-2-3-1 formation, we start with the central defensive partnership, this time selecting Spanish Skipper, Mikel Arteta. Not to everyone’s taste these days after ageing a fair bit after his £10m move from fellow Premier League club Everton in 2011. To partner him, a fans favourite, Jack Wilshere. Known for his attacking abilities, ex-academy player, Jack, can also play defensively, yet another Gooner that can play in multiple positions adding real talent to the squad yet again. The Englishman is very sensible with the ball and likes to keep possession. Jack loves to go on a run every now and then, which is okay when you have an experienced player in Mikel Arteta to cover him. Having someone older partnering you is also important. Wilshere can learn a lot of things from Arteta and massively improve his game as well as his knowledge.
Tomas Rosicky is yet another player that can fill the gap behind the striker, the 34 year old veteran from Czech Republic came from Borussia Dortmund for around £7m in 2006, and is now the second longest serving Arsenal player now Abou Diaby has left, and is currently behind Theo Walcott who arrived just months earlier. Rosicky made only 15 appearances last season for the Gunners, scoring twice, which isn’t an eye catching stat, on the other hand, he did record an 86% passing accuracy, which for a creative midfielder, is a very good, solid score. (Stats from Squawka)
Down the channels for this midfield group, another unselected player makes the cut, Joel Campbell. The Costa Rican was one to watch in the 2014 Brazil World Cup, and having finally been granted a work permit, was able to stay at Arsenal at the beginning of the 2014/15 season after endless loan spells at Real Betis, Olympiacos, and from last Janurary, to Villarreal for the second half of the season in a deal that saw Gabriel Pailista head in the opposite direction and sign for Arsenal. Campbell though, is apparently set to agree a deal for yet another loan, this time to Serie A club Palermo. It seems as though Campbell just cannot fit into the Arsenal team, and it didn’t help when Wenger didn’t select him on countless occasions when many thought he should have been given the chance, so Joel can’t really be blamed for wanting to go elsewhere for first team football. Nevertheless, he’s still a talented young player who made his mark in last seasons Emirates Cup, with a goal on his return to Arsenal against Benefica, in a battering from Arsenal that saw Yaya Sanogo net 4 times. Joel is quick, good on the ball, technically gifted, and has an eye for goal. Finally on the left flank, another unselected player, in German Youngster Serge Gnabry. Gnabry has found it tricky to make a name for himself so far at the Emirates after a long period on the sidelines since March 2014, and only recently found full fitness. The 20 year-old has made 10 appearances in Red and White since 2012/13, including a North London derby in the 2013/14 season, that’s saw Arsenal see off their London Rivals, Tottenham, 2-0. Gnabry was a pleasure to watch in that game, with his speedy runs, technical ability and determination to get the job done properly, as all youngsters are to impress the boss.
Admittedly a weaker midfield compared to the other options, but it’s more the kind of outfit you’d see playing in the Capital One Cup on a cold Tuesday night, but it shows the depth Arsenal have to rotate around. Arteta, Wilshere, Gnabry, Campbell and Rosicky make up the fourth option.
Option five, 4-2-3-1.
Still not running out of options, but keeping to the more familiar 4-2-3-1 formation.
Flamini is just another player that hasn’t yet been mentioned. He’s a very similar player to Coquelin, but just hasn’t shone as much in truth. After leaving Arsenal for AC Milan in 2008, and spending 5 years in Italy, he returned to the Gunners on a free transfer in 2013. Flamini is a very aggressive player, and one that doesn’t shy away from anything, he’ll make sure he wins the ball every time, and won’t ever let the opposition get off lightly. Flamini is one of the few players in Arsenal’s midfield that can’t really play in another position in the midfield, but can play left back. The Frenchman is still an asset to the side with his experience and desire to win everything, from tackles, headers, games and trophies. To partner him is Welshman, Aaron Ramsey. ‘Rambo’ as he’s now known as has been phenomenal for Arsenal of late and fits anywhere into Arsenal’s midfield, he is the complete midfielder. He can pass, assist, tackle, shoot and even from a defensive position, especially with a very defensive player partnering him that rarely gets too far up the pitch, so will always cover him, can get forward and score goals, and everyone knows Ramsey can score a mesmerising, and crucial goal.
To play in the number 10 role, another player from a wide range of options for this position, Arsenal’s number 10, Jack Wilshere. An attacking player that has also scored some decent goals in his time so far at the Arsenal is definitely a fans favourite. He’s one of Arsenal’s most creative players and seems to be one of the most fouled players on the planet, because defenders simply can’t stop him when he’s in full swing. He’s been set back on numerous occasions in his short career, hampered with injuries. At only 22 years of age, Jack has had to deal with a total of nine different injuries, on twenty different occasions. Most injuries coming from his brittle ankles, after severely injuring his right ankle in the 2011 Emirates Cup, leaving him out of action for over a year. But this hasn’t stopped him, he comes back better and better every time, an unstoppable player. Jack had a memorable game against Barcelona in the Champions League in 2011 at only 19 years old, and since then has been filling the potential he was expected of.
Lastly, the wide positions of this midfield choice are to be filled by Arsenal big guns, Mesut Özil, who will occupy the Left, and Alexis Sanchez who will take charge of the right. These two are just sensational, World Class, and on another level to almost all other Premier League players. Everyone knows Özil is best for his central abilities but he can also do a good job out on the left, he has many of the attributes to adapt well out wide, even though fans want to see him in the middle of the park, orchestrating the attack. Alexis however is a problem for any right back in the world. The Chilean stood out by a mile last season for the Gunners, and was worth every penny Wenger payed for him last summer. Definitely up there with one of Wenger’s best signings to date.
So that concludes the fifth option Arsene has when picking his side, but it’s definitely not the last. Flamini, Ramsey, Özil, Alexis, Wilshere. Another dangerously strong Arsenal midfield line up.
Still players such as Zelalem, Bielik, Crowley, Iwobi, Isaac Hayden and Jeff Reine-Adelaide are yet to be properly introduced, but they will be in good time, they’re all young, talented, have high expectations, and still learning, but we’ll surely see them some time in the future to add to Arsenal’s extraordinary Midfield options.
