One thing is evident after the first three games of the season: Arsenal’s midfield has not been as effective as many expected.
Granit Xhaka’s contributions are sorely missed…
New signing Kai Havertz, who was intended to replace the (now) Bayer Leverkusen midfielder, has struggled in his job as the left-sided No. 8.
Arsenal’s midfielder is grappling with the gap left by Xhaka, but fortunately, Arteta has three options for filling the void in his midfield:
1. Use Declan Rice as a No. 8
Versus Man City in the Community Shield, Declan Rice was used as a No. 8, and he was decent. There’s been an idea he could comfortably play in that role. Arteta ought to try him out there, drop Havertz, and play Partey as the No. 6. That midfield trio could be the strongest he can deploy going forward.
2. Reintroduce Emile Smith-Rowe
Emile Smith-Rowe has had a brilliant summer. He impressed in the Euro U-21 and showed sparks of brilliance in the pre-season. He could have something to offer. Better try him and rate if he is back at his best rather than continue to use Kai Havertz, who still has a lot to adapt to in order to find his footing at the Emirates.
3. Rethink the system
Arsenal using two midfield pivots (Declan Rice and Thomas Partey) and one (Martin Odegaard) at number 10 couldn’t be a bad idea. Xhaka had his own way of playing the No. 8 role alongside Odegaard. If there’s no one else other than Havertz seen fit to play the left No. 8 role, it may not be criminal to use two holding midfielders.
Darren N
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I will drop Havertz and play Jorginho in his place at this rate. I bet he will do a fine job.
The problem is Arteta is trying to accommodate Havertz in the side because he knows its just a confidence issue which will go away if he can score a couple of goals. //So that is just one of the reasons for Partey’s new position. Otherwise its Partey as DM, Odeguard as AM and Rice as Box to Box midfielder no.8. //Havertz is being groomed into the team because it gives us aerial strength and more flexability. //Smith Rowe is a cross between Silva and James Madison in style, with his quick brain, quick feet passing and an eye for goal and will only get better if not sold.// Arteta has many tactical options as they are all world class players in their own right and style of play.// He may have to look tacticly at each game as it comes. //The defence vulnerability of Arsenal i am sure, is each fans priority for Arteta to correct. The defence more than the midfield department. Too many defensive “positional” problems with defenders not reading the game well and thus leaving unnecessary holes and gaps for the opposition to exploit. For instance both of palaces goals could have been avoided if not for Defenders in the wrong possition to receive or block the ball.
daveg. “Both of palaces goals”? We won 1-0 there, so perhaps you should learn about our three recent games and get the scores right.
Its not difficult, assuming you have eyes and ears that work properly!
I agree,we should play TP as the DM and Rice as the box to box midfielder.i have no doubts that Rice has the physicality, endurance and technical skills for it.that way he gets involved in both sides of the game.he can help TP shoring up our midfield and joining our attacks,arriving late in the opposite box á la Lampard.
It is not rocket science is it? the manager is too overconfident with his abilities, thinking he can introduce a new system to unlock low block teams. 70 per cent of games will be against those who wants to low block us. It is easy because when they counter attack, our defence is jittery and the goalie does not exhibit confidence either – he is too slow with the ball at his feet and when they close him down he kicks the ball out of play – this is childish goalkeeping. What was he doing so far off his goal line for Fulham’s early goal! he wanted to receive a short back pass, but his positioning and sense of the game was off. The defence do too many sideways and back passes – ManC doesn’t play like that!!
I knew from the moment we were linked to Harvetz this will not auger well, and I have been proved right. The manager needs to swallow his pride and drop him, and have Partey-Rice in the middle as suggested. Yes it seems like 2 defensive midfielders but they are good enough to push forward when needed.