Arsenal Need Less Creativity, More Cutting Edge! by AT
As I watched the game against Spurs for a second time, I happened to notice a very significant factor of Arsenal’s play, there is little or no cutting edge or dynamism in the team. Simply put, there is no direct penetration from the flanks and very little from the midfield. Now this can be put down to a lack of natural wingers in the team but I do feel Arsene Wenger has opted for more creativity when it’s cutting edge he should be after.
Speaking in regards to the game against Spurs, it is really no surprise that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was Arsenal’s best player. The Englishman was very direct in his play, ran at the full-back at every given opportunity and tried to whip in good deliveries when he found himself with space. It is precisely that element that Arsenal have been missing. Unfortunately, it was provided by just one player.
In my opinion, Arsenal should be playing natural wide men on the flanks. Playmakers played out wide always have the tendency to drift inside and that makes us very predictable. Quite honestly, I really do not like Ozil, Cazorla or even Ramsey playing there. There’s just way too many square passes and very little penetration.
Also, with the return of Theo Walcott on the horizon, I really hope to see Wenger making the most of our wide players. The Frenchman should rotate between Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sanchez and Campbell. In these four players, we have three world –class wingers and a raw, unpredictable talent. We should really be using them more often.
Agreed?
Anurag