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