The midfield is one of the most important positions in the modern game, with possession and the ability to turn defence into attack a huge factor.
The base of the midfield is probably the most crucial selection for us, with different tactics being used for different opponents, but which pair should play in the majority of matches.
Granit Xhaka arrived for in excess of £30 Million this summer, and has impressed thus far, but he is a deep lying playmaker, and has a keen eye for a pass.
Francis Coquelin is the most defensive option we have available, and has become an integral player for us over the past couple of years. His job is not one to be overlooked, and he regularly gets fielded in the tougher matches, but is he one of the players who instils you with the utmost confidence?
Mohamed Elneny can play a variety of roles in midfield, and can be fielded in a more advanced position also, but I like to think of him as our box-to-box midfielder. The Egyptian is full of running, and hit the ground running for us on his arrival in January. For whatever reason, he has had limited appearances so far this year, but I remain a big fan of his.
Santi Cazorla is another one who can be fielded more advanced, and was a huge loss for us when picking up an injury last term. He is back fit and impressing once more, and is tough to leave out of the side, but you can only pick two of these…
You also have Aaron Ramsey, who when fit, is a favourite of Arsene Wenger’s, although he is regularly fielded further forward. He played in the deeper role for Wales however, with the freedom to push up, and he excelled in the European Championships.
Who is our strongest pairing?
Who should be bossing our midfield from the base?
- Granit Xhaka (45%, 473 Votes)
- Santi Cazorla (33%, 342 Votes)
- Francis Coquelin (10%, 109 Votes)
- Aaron Ramsey (7%, 71 Votes)
- Mohamed Elneny (4%, 45 Votes)
Total Voters: 589
This is a difficult one. We seen against PSG that going up against three CMs can be tough going with our formation. Our three should have been Cazorla Ozil Coquelin when without the ball, but it was just Caz and Coq. PSG had Rabiot Verratti Krychowiak, it’s no wonder they bossed it. That’s why I’m not comfortable just picking our best two, because when you know you need more, and leave a favorite player out, you just get thumbed down even though the evidence suggests you were on the right track. Coincidentally, this is similarly how che and Mourinho used to boss our midfield.
I think this is the EASIEST pairing to pick.
Top DM = Xhaka. Top creative, play-making partner = Cazorla. Not really much else to consider.
Depends on who we play and where. Cazorla and Ozil in the same team, against the best sides, just doesn’t cut it. If we are playing against a side we are expected to beat, well then yes it can look special. I thumbed you up because that pairing is our best if against another pair. But if you consider the three v three, then no that is not our best pairing, unless the other team has an all out attacker as one of it’s three.
Definitely Santi pairing with Xhaka. We have not just defensive midfielders but also two deep lying play maker at the same time. It will give us more various angle of attack from distance if needed.
So far
Chech
Bellerin Mustafi Kos Monreal
Cazorla Xhaka
Honestly I would rather see Coq instead of Cazorla, Cazorla can fight it out with Ozil.
Hahaha,
Firstly, well done for managing to manipulate what you wanted. ???
And secondly, You can already see that at the end of this voting, that the aventual voted lineup will more than likely be what Wenger normally goes with, anyway lol.??
I have a different view…First and foremost Wenger must be seeing and should appreciate the strengths of the current squad…If he does, he will adopt a 4.3.1.1.1 approach instead of a 4.2.3.1, which is restrictive. with a 4.3.1.2 approach we will have a three person rather than two person central midfield
The squad would then be Peter Cech in EPL and FA and Ospina in Champions League and Other trophies….
The back four will work itself out
Then you have
—————–Giroud——————
————————-Sanchez——–
——————–Ozil——————-
——–Carzola,Xhaka,Ramsey——
—————-Back four—————
———–Preferred Keeper———–
With this setup Ramsey and Carzola can trade attack and central midfield roles plays. Sanchez will have freedom to appear in any attacking positions around Giroud who is the target man, exploring his explosive attacking capabilities. Ozil will have many exchanging targets to aim at with his defense piercing assists. He could get Sanchez, Maybe Ramsey, Maybe Giroud or Even Carzola or one of our back fours attacking. Defensively, Xhaka will get a willing helper from the other two colleagues who can run the ball quickly from defense to attack to ping the ball to for them to convert the pass into an attacking attack that Ozil can supply to the runners…But more importantly…the three man setup will be able to soak any form of pressure…and concede lesser and lesser…
Coq and Cazorla for me simply because I like the idea of 35 million pound Xhaka breathing down their necks…until Xhaka has succeeded in proving himself the undisputed king of that role like Kosc in defence, Xhaka [and Mustafi] need a gradual introduction to the team. They need to be held to higher standards which gives us two more geniune world class players, in the meantime Im happy to have them start from the bench.
Ozil and Cazorla playing in the same lineup doesn’t do much for us defensively. I think that’s why Xhaka is not getting picked. Because with Ozil and Cazorla, you need a pure defensive midfielder.
Xhaka Santi ozil at home dominated games
Xhaka /El neny with coq ozil /Ramsey/santi away from home .
That’s how I see it, barring ozil & Sanchez our only 2 outfield world class players who can’t be dropped barring injury or exhaustion
All others can be rotated and should be as we have seen last season n b4, players getting burnt out when we need them the most.