It has been a little strange for Arsenal fans recently, as we have seen a few changes in the team set up. Not the formation itself, but the players that have been used in certain key positions. And the reasons being Arsene Wenger´s changes to the Arsenal team have been suggested by the man himself this week.
While none of us were surprised to see our German international Mesut Ozil move into the number 10 role that is probably his best position, the decision to play Aaron Ramsey on the right flank with Santi Cazorla in deep central midfield raised more than few Gooners´ eyebrows.
We can´t really complain too much either, because the team has been winning (apart from the Chelsea game) and although Ramsey has admitted to not really feeling that his new role is where he is at his best, he is happy to do the job asked of him and as long as he stays disciplined when we are without the ball it does not hurt the team.
But the main reason spoken of by Wenger is to make the most of our little Spaniard and his best qualities, as an Arsenal.com report explains. The Frenchman hinted that Cazorla´s age makes it a little more taxing for him to play wide, while his vision and technical ability makes him magical in the middle.
Wenger said, “We lost Cesc Fabregas and Santi was one of those players who could bring us that technical quality. His career at Arsenal is in two stages. The first was when I played him wide, he was like a midfielder playing wide and contributing a bit like Robert Pires did as a wide player.
“He transformed completely when I moved him central and it looks to me that centrally is where he is really at ease and brings a lot to the team. Why? Because he’s a team player, he works very hard and he also gives us that continuity, that fluidity.
“He can also hit a long ball – the long ball he hit for Ramsey for the second goal [at Hull] was with his left foot and it was absolutely delightful to watch.”
It certainly was but with so many players now competing for central midfield, including the likes of Arteta, Wilshere, Ox, Rosicky and even Diaby, will Cazorla´s versatility mean that he does not always get to play in his best role.