Arsenal’s history as slow starters to a season is one of the Premier League’s much-travelled tales. The inevitable pressure on Arsene Wenger by October will be released with a string of good results before an early slump at the beginning of the new year. But by then the club will have done just about enough to avoid the disastrous consequences of finishing outside the top four.
Each year there are hopes that the season will have a different pattern. Maybe 2016/17 could see Arsenal right some of their previous wrongs – the summer suggests they could have learnt their lessons, finally. The signings of Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez reflect an awareness of the squad’s weaknesses, which is a welcome change. Along with Granit Xhaka, Arsenal have spent, and spent well.
Wenger is reaching his swansong. We are yet to know when he will eventually lay down his clipboard, hang up his red tie or, for the less euphemism-inclined, retire. Whether his finale or not, Wenger must not make the same mistakes in selection, particularly with his midfield.
He has a fair few options…
Xhaka-Ramsey-Ozil
To keep Mesut Ozil in his favoured, most influential, number 10 role, Arsenal need to have cover behind him. Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey should, in theory, provide it as a pairing. Xhaka can control the tempo, tackle and protect the defence, while Ramsey gives the energy, goals and link-up play required from a box-to-box midfielder.
This should be the first choice option for Arsenal, giving them the best of their three supreme midfielders. Xhaka’s role as a deep-lying creator will help in the initial build-up of play and Ramsey’s runs beyond avoid the static midfield that Arsenal have suffered with in the past.
Xhaka-Ramsey-Cazorla
Alternatively, Ozil can either be rested or slotted into a wide playmaker role from the right. This gives Ramsey greater freedom, by taking the defensive shackles off, but the deeper pairing of Cazorla and Xhaka would lack mobility against teams looking to break quickly.
Ramsey’s engine would have to compensate for Cazorla’s shortcomings, although the benefits of this system are in possession. When looking to break down an attack, this would see two players capable of direct passes between the lines to find Alexis Sanchez or Ozil in the space in front of the defence.
Arsenal will need to find a way to create without central, and this could be it.
Elneny-Xhaka-Ozil
Similar to the first suggested option, Elneny can play as a Ramsey replacement. The Egyptian is not the same player in the final third, although his defensive awareness and reading of the game could make this a realistic option. In challenging fixtures, particularly away from home, this could be used or Ramsey could slot in as the third midfielder with Ozil playing from the right.
Wenger has previously left his side too exposed in the bigger games, selecting midfield pairings that cannot screen the defence against teams with greater attacking quality. The majority of Arsenal’s direct Premier League rivals will have three central midfielders, making a two-man option a severe risk for Wenger. He cannot risk being overrun and using Ozil in a marginally less effective wide role may be the best solution.
Arsenal now have all the components throughout their squad to win the title, but the management of a gifted midfield will be a determining factor in their campaign.
