Ben Arfa AM or Winger?

Discuss.

The kid's got a very good eye for a goal, he's got good pace, he's nippy, very skillful, good creativity/vision, good passer and has brilliant agility and technique.

Hopefully he'll come back ready for the Everton game(being very hopeful here, I doubt he'll be ready but I can wish)...

Anyways were do you think he & Ireland fit in with the current team?

Do you think we'll see Gosling again this season?

 

I'm in two minds in this.

He's a natural winger, but the way he plays is more of a AM.

He even got his goal against Everton in the AM Position, it wasn't even half a chance and he scored. I think Leave Jonas on the left, Barton on the right and play him as a AM. Let's him float in a roaming position and do his job

Can't wait till he's back.

 

He should play Vs Everton and I personally feel he should drop behind someone like Ranger but he will probs replace Jonas. He has a killer left boot, a brilliant shot and great skill so cant wait for him to return.

Dont want to see him play stoke as they are too physical and would have only just returned from a broken leg.

 

I think with him in the team we could change our formation a bit. Jonas has been off his game for a while I believe so something like this I think...

Harper

Simpson - Willo - Colo - Enrique

....................Tiote

....... .Barton - - Ben Arfa

....................Nolan

................Best - Ameobi (or of course new strikers)

Regarding Gosling I think he is seen as a replacement for Nolan (with Ben Arfa going AM and Gosling on the left side of the middle 3)

 

Jesus, you've dropped Tiote are you ****ing insane

 

With a fully fit squad with the team at the minute, I would go...

Harper

Simpson - Willamson - Coloccini - Enrique
tiote
Barton - Nolan - Gosling
Ben Arfa
Shola/Best

I do pray for a new striker in the summer though.

 

Remembered just before I read this mate...just changed it.

 

For me the midfield & attack should look like this
Barton--Tiote--Nolan--Jonas
----------Ben Arfa---------
--------Best or Ameobi-----

Here you can easliy slip Gosling, Guthrie or Ireland in as lots of them are interchangable
Barton can be pushed into the middle if you need and then you can put Ben Arfa onto the wing and then ireland in behind

 

I would play Ben Arfa Centre Attacking Midfield (Advanced Playmaker) and give him a free role

 

He played up front for lyon, and I think he played out right wing for France (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3__JHjz3dc) so there's those two options as well as AM and left wing
great strike on the video!

 

What if we go for the standerd 4 in midfield, 1 striker and then just let him go whereever he wants

 

Interesting question. I honestly don't know where I'd play him. There are four options for me, up front or either wing would be preferable because I think they're the areas he's most needed, or attacking midfield where he isn't needed as much (Nolan's playing very well) but would be most effective. Not sure how good he would be timing his runs and finishing chances if he played up front, and how good he is at crossing if he played on the wing. A few weeks ago I was saying this line up:

Harper
Simpson Taylor Coloccini Enrique
Gosling Barton Nolan Tiote Ben Arfa
Carroll

Obviously Carroll going has changed things because I wouldn't want to see any of the others playing up front alone. Ranger does a good job holding the ball up etc, but doesn't score enough goals. I honestly couldn't pick our strongest XI, we're overwhelmed with talent in midfield, but alarmingly short of it up front. Hopefully Pards will find an effective solution (and a decent centre forward or two in the summer )

 

I'd play him as the floating, playmaker midfielder and I'd sign a new left winger and striker with the Carroll money.

------------Tiote------------

(New Winger)--Nolan--Barton

-----------Ben Arfa----------

---------(New Striker)----------

We'd have a very strong midfield bench to chose from:
Smith, Ferguson, Gosling, Guthrie, Gutierrez, Inman, Vuckic, Lua Lua and Ireland(if he stays?)

This is providing we can hold onto our first teamers and if Pardew sees a future for Smith, Guthrie and Gutierrez.

 

When everyone is fit I'd like to see this:

Harper
Simpson Taylor Coloccini Enrique
Barton Nolan Tiote Jonas
Ben Arfa
Ameobi (replace in summer)

 

Harps
Simmo - Tayls - Colo - Jose
(New RW, Marveux?) - Bartoon - Tiote - Benny
Nolan
(New Striker, Gervinho?)

I'd even say Jonas LW and Benny in place of Nolan. I know how important Nolan is to the team, but to make our strongest starting XI i cant see where he would fit in sometimes...
Either of them i would like, though with Nolan on the bench is always the first to spring to mind.