Not wanting Ben Arfa 'in the hole'

I've just been thinking lately, and am I the only one not wanting Ben Arfa in the 'hole'

I think this just makes Cabaye ineffective, as he is the kind of player that likes to attack, and with Ben Arfa being in the 'hole' he can't do that.

Just like the past two France games they played


-------------------M'Vila-------------Cabaye-----------------


Remy------------------------Nasri----------------------Menez

and if we play....

------------------------Tiote---------Cabaye-----------------


Obertan-----------------------Ben Arfa-------------------Jonas

It would make Cabaye ineffective, and I would prefer Ben Arfa to play on the right cutting on his left (maybe like A.Johnson) or on the Left and give him the 'free role' like against Everton.

Do you agree?

 

I could see it working, would allow us to have 2 strikers as well...

 

I dont want him on the wing. We have a plethora of options on the left and if he played on the right he'd leave Simpson terrifyingly exposed.

He played for a bit there against Blackburn and just did what Ba did, linking midfield to attack. Ben Arfa would be a much more natural option as a second striker, and Cabaye is a Xabi Alonso style player for me, sits deep and dictates play, he played poorly for France in a 4-3-3 as well so I wouldnt blame it on the formation.

Play him in the hole!

 

i would't restrict him to being a second striker i'd have the two wingers and just give him a totally free role.

 

Isnt second striker just a synonym for free role? Either way I would have it so he is free from the responsibility of tracking back and defending and plays somewhere between the midfield 2 and striker.

 

Uhh why can't Cabaye do that?

Ben Arfa doesn't prevent Cabaye from moving forward if the situation permits it.

Cabaye is a centre midfielder. Ben Arfa being behind the hole takes the pressure off Cabaye to attack so much and enables Cabaye to do more of what his role intends him to do - i.e. control the central midfield and spread those passes.

 

Ben Arfa's movement in the hole will create space for Cabaye to attack if anything.

 

to be honest to makes the centre of the park extremely tricky for opposition sides to intercept. imagine cabaye and ben arfa's one touch creativity working wonders?! with best & ba on form too it should be a goalscoring bonanza!!

having said all of this, i'm also unsure of this formation as i'm not used to our side playing with one striker, it's just a bit wrong! spurs are an attacking side, i suppose we will need plenty men behind the ball and counter attacking when possible. 4-4-1-1 is the formation for spurs and other tricky teams. 4-4-2 is for crap teams like fulham. ;]

 

play him as a second striker he could be our new pedro

 

..........krul

simmo.....saylor....collo....santon

Marv.....cabaye.....tiote.....jonas

.............ben arfa.....ba

 

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Sorry couldn't help myself.

 

Play a midfield 4 similar to what we do now (maybe Marv instead of Ober) & HBA in free role playing off Baaaaaaaaaaa

 

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This will be no different to having Obertan on the right though, he offers no defensive cover for Simpson so I don't see the difference. That's why I think Simpson's performances this year have been underrated a bit - he's had a hard job!

Not sure though, I think Ben Arfa has always stated the 'number 10' position is his best, so would be good to see him performing at maximum potantial - who knows, wometimes you have to sacrifice that for the good of the team game, so he may have to play on the wing.

 

4-4-1-1 with HBA playing in the hole would work. It would let Ba stay further forward, Ben Arfa link up with the midfield and play in balls for Ba to bang in. I don't see the problem.

 

If anything I think Cabaye and Ben Arfa will complement each other wonderfully. Play the man in the hole vs Spurs Pardew

 

but shola's fit .........i'll get my coat

 

............. oh wait
Tenner says Shola starts

 

Obertan runs back more than Ben Arfa would (and is more powerful, meaning he can dispossess other players running with the ball), especially if Benny was told it was a free role and that he can cut inside.

Also, Pardew wants to play him in the hole, and Ben Arfa himself wants to play there as well, so that's where he's going to end up, as soon as Best or Ba get injured or lose form.