There's a guy called Alex Song who isn't getting much game time recently, great DM who can pick a pass, break up opposition attacks, and even chip in with a goal or 2. I think he would be a great signing.
Yes I think you're right, we should probably say DM/BtB player, we haven't played with a pure DM since Petit. Although Lassana Diarra was, but didn't have the patience to wait for his chance. I don't know know enough about Strootman to make an informed decision. It's a big step up from Ajax, but he could make it. If we don't get anybody in January, does anyone think we could play Kos or Verm as a DM ? Kos is quick and Verm is good going forward, they've both got attributes that would suit that role . . .
There was this guy called Song who apparently didn't listen during training and disobeyed the coaches orders. I'd rather get a less rebellious DM
There was also a guy called Song who spent most of his time attacking and not being a DM. He was also part of a midfield who achieved little.
IMO we need someone who is more defensive than attacking, such as tiote or m'villa but strootman is a very good player so i would be open to him joining us. However if he were to join then i think we would have to let rosicky or ramsey go. PISKIE i also agree with the issue about us pressing the opposition but that has to come from the whole team not just one player and it seems as though wenger is fine with us dropping off because we seem to do it in every game. Obviously we are nowhere near the level of barcelona but when i watch them play, obviously they are not the best team defensively but that is very rarely exploited because they have a a 7 second rule after they lose the ball they immediately pressurise the opposition. And statistically it works because especially in england the opposition will panic and be forced to clear the ball long and if they do try to play out from the back then there is a high chance that we can win the ball back high up the pitch like you say. I don't understand why we don't do it because in games we allow the opposition defenders and midfielders to have the ball turn and play the ball forward. In fact even opposition teams have started doing it to us and it works because arteta and wilshere are always under pressure and aren't allowed to play.
Totally agree with that. I've said alongside this that we should be pressing from the front pressuring the oppo defence into giving the ball away. Basically we need to do to teams what they are doing to us
Right would just like to make a few points I think we can all agree that Diaby is not the answer to our defensive midfield problems, and whoever said we dont play with a DM anymore is spot on we need a player to replace Song. M'vila is definiteley not the answer if you have read about his rebellious actions since the start of this season, and Arteta is a squad player at best. Why Wenger see's him as a first team player is baffling, but as a squad player hes great to have in the team. As we all know the board wont buy unless we sell first. We need to get rid of Santos and buy a proven left back who can challenge Gibbs. Gevinho is just clueless, i think he actually adds frailty to the squad in my opinion and think he needs to go. I think Ramsay needs to go too, he has heart and desire but just hasnt got the quality anymore since his leg break. Replace these players with proven quality and i think the squad will be at least stable and able to cement a top four place. At the moment the squad is not much stronger than that of Everton's which is abysmal seeing as we like to think of ourselves as a top European club
PSV I think. And yes, I've always thought Vermaelen would make an excellent DM. He is positionally good, a hard tackler, energetic, but most importantly he is the captain of our team, which would do wonders for the organisation of our midfield and defense. Having him in that central position could help us a lot.
Alex Song went forward because he was instructed to do so. In 2009-10 was the only Season where he played as a genuine 'holding' player. It was also his best Season at Arsenal Still I think M'Vila would turn us into a FAR better side. He's having problems at Rennes and has the ability and athletism - If we dont sign him I GUARANTEE he'll be a player we talk about in the future when he signs for Barca/Real/City. The guy has the ingredients to be the bes DM in the World - its only his bad attitude that's holding him back.
I would have M'Villa any day of the week! Big strong can pass can tackle and not afraid to get forward WHEN NEEDED and would certainly add a presence in midfield that we have long lacked!
I hate trying to manage Arsenal and talk tactics, because I generally think we are all very unqualified to do that. However, If I were to try and do that, I would say that we seem to have a problem playing key passes in the final 3rd, once we get the ball to the feet of our front 3 (say Podolski, Walcott and Giroud). None of these 3 have shown the ability to play a quick pass or play with vision in the way that a Tevez, Silva or Mata does, or even as RVP does. They are all players who get on the end of a pass. Pires and Ljungberg used to play more as inside forwards. and both could create as well as score goals. So, if you accept that football has got more defensive and so the Bergkamp position has to be coverted into a more holding role, to defeat the pressing midfield game, it leaves us very short of creators. Our DMs do a pretty good job of holding, and I thing they have to be more rounded players to get the ball to the forward, but Podolski, Walcott and Giroud cant pick up the ball and play it off quickly enough to break down a defense, and that AM role (currently Cazorla's) is more of a facilitator to get the ball to those 3, not someone that puts the ball all the way through. That is a really big ask to put the ball clean through. This is all a very long winded way of saying, that I think we should be playing Cazorla as one of the front 3, Wilshere as the AM, and someone who is less of a winger and more of a creator on the other side as well. I would say our strongest front 6 right now are: Cazorla Giroud/Podolski Rosicky Wilshere Arteta-Ox/Coquelin So I agree that we need another DM although I am probably not thinking of this player in quite the same way as those of you looking for an enforcer type.
Song and V Persie were the reason we finished 3rd last season, his absence is likely to result in not matching that position this year. Also Oxo how do you know he disobeyed Wengers orders, and didn't listen in training?
No RVP is the reason finished 3rd. If RVP had played last season and Song not, I reckon RVP still would have scored a hatful and finished top 4. If Song had played RVP not, I reckon we would be struggling as we are this year with no-one good enough to score goals. Someone has to set up the goals for world-class strikers to score...
I would respectfully disagree. You cannot leave Theo out. He's the top scorer, gives a different option, and scares defenses. Both his finishing and his all-round game have improved this season. Further, Ox shouldn't be in there one bit. He's shown zero this season to warrant a starting place. I'd agree with Cazorla playing wide, but I'd play Rosicky as AM with Wilshere & Arteta behind. We saw yesterday what an impact Rosicky's energy, vision and ability has on the game - he was fantastic - and the comparison with the second half performance after he was withdrawn only served to highlight it further.
Do you homework cini, Song was responsible for at least 10 of V Persies goals last year. Apart from which who have we replaced him with, no-one.
I know that. As I said... someone has to set up the goals for world-class strikers to score. Had Song not been there, and Cazorla instead, he would have set up just as many.
Precisely what I've been saying. Cazorla in the front three, Wilshere as the AM, new midfielder like Strootman or M'Vila alongside Arteta. This would allow Arteta to become the deep-lying playmaker he was last season. I still think Walcott offers us a hell of a lot and should play on the right, though Rosicky's form against the Greeks warrants more game time. I also think Giroud has been doing exactly what you say he isn't doing: link up the play with quick, decisive passes. His assists this season prove that, and there's plenty more that didn't result in goals.
Yep, until we can buy a midfielder, that is definitely our best line up: ----Arteta---Wilshere---- Walcott--Rosicky--Cazorla ---------Giroud----------
