YES MR. ARSENE WENGER, IT COULD THE SEASON, BUT…. by Nicholas
As Arsenal start their European journey on this night against PSG, Arsene Wenger has been reportedly saying this could be Arsenal year and Arsenal can finally deliver in Europe. Alexis Sanchez too has spoken and he has made a claim that he is equal to Cristiano and Messi.
I feel this could be the year that Arsenal dominates despite early setbacks in the EPL. However, Arsene once set-up a 4.2.3.1 system to compliment Robin Van Persie’s qualities a striker and since then Arsene seems disinterested in changing set-ups even as new players came through.
For a manager that was so concerned about his player’s abilities and capable of tweaking the system to accommodate them, it would not be a surprise that he does the same yet again, now with clear evidence that such shifts can work wonders. A world class Thierry Henry happened when Wenger shifted him from the wing to centre forward. It also happened with Bellerin who is quickly becoming a world class right back. Cazorla was mostly a winger or an attacking midfielder but Wenger moved him to the central midfield, and his influence in any Arsenal game is so vital nowadays that him missing in the side is believed to have lost Arsenal the Title in 2015/16 season won by Leicester City. It also happened with Van Persie who was moved to centre forward from winger and become world class, scoring 30 goals in his last season with Arsenal 37 goals in 48 matches. I’m saying all this to present the argument that Sanchez can move into Central Midfield. If we can get past the shock that Sanchez moves to this space, then we would have the following pattern – 4.3.1.2 pattern
—————–Cech————–
Bellerin-Koscienly-Mustafi-Monreal
——Sanchez-Xhaka-Cazorla———
—————–Ozil————
———–Perez—–Giroud———
Sanchez on the right further from the goal with enough space to explode forward in quick attack, Cazorla on the opposite side with room to man the Central Midfield like he has always done, opposite action from Sanchez…the two can interchange wings as they are both very apt from both wings, with a telepathic understanding with Sanchez more amenable to move the ball forward from the deep but Cazorla more amenable to defend from the deep. And that does not mean Sanchez will not be defending. Sanchez has pace, power, incision and ruthlessness as his attacking skillsets. But surprisingly, he has tenacity and pace to chase down attackers of the opposition and often these defensive skill sets will be called upon to ensure opponents fear facing him on his wing of the play. If deployed well, such are skills that will lead to lots of recoveries of balls and incitation of attacks.
With Ozil operating in the hole behind the two strikers, Perez and Giroud and can pick up the killer passes he is known for, targeting either of the two, but also Sanchez and Cazorla moving in the surprise offense. Finally, Giroud has a striking partner and we should expect his classy one-two and holdup plays to find a willing attacking mate. Perez is also apt in assists and Giroud loves the well weighted assists which Perez should be more than capable of providing. Other squad players will create the strong bench power for the pattern to flourish.
With such a pattern, the true talents of Sanchez may be on display this season for all to see. He may be right that he is up there with Messi and Cristiano. Arsene Wenger may also be right this is Arsenal’s year.
Nicholas Oyoo
Of course. Let’s put our most offensive player in centre midfield. Surely that will win us games. What are you smoking there Nicholas ??
I don’t think that would work. Alexis is a forward player, he could play there in my opinion but has he got the discipline. I think you’d be better off putting Alexis next to Giroud if you wanted to go that way. However, midfield battles are too important not to have numbers and strength.
With the right balance and Tactics, this Arsenal team look really good and promising. We are strong in almost every department. We are slightly above average in the striker position but with healthy competition, form and cohesion, this team will only grow from strength to strength. We haven’t hit Top Gear yet…Hopefully, we will utilize the strength of the team.
you seems to taking clues from pep’s setup of man city bt de bruyne and sanchez are two very different players
De Bruyne played as a second no. 10 next to Silva not as a CM. City played a 4-1-4-1 formation.
Fernandinho as DM,De Bruyne and Silva as no. 10, Nolito ,Sterling as wingers and Iheanacho as striker.
According to Reports coming from a French radio station,
Arsenal team news has been leaked. They are stating that Sanchez will be starting tonights game in the strikers position.
Giroud not starting again ?? Even if Giroud does start I have a feeling this is his last year with Arsenal. But who do we replace him with. Atleti and Real have both been handed transfer bans so we can forget Griezmann or Morata. Seems Wenger did want to swap Higuain with Giroud.
Wow… just wow. With that logic why not play Sanchez in the FB or CB position then? I’m all up for playing 2 strikers up front, but sticking one of our most lethal offensive weapons into central midfield is utter stupidity.
I like the two strikers, but wherever Sanchez starts he will end up in the attack!
I have a feeling that my lineup if fielded tonight would be leading and not trailing by a goal to nil…