Date: 11th April 2016 at 8:09pm
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After a thrilling, but ultimately disappointing, 3-3 draw with West Ham United at the weekend, @DanGaleaStJohn explains why this midfield duo is the best Arsenal have.

A lot of Arsenal fans have voiced their frustration at Arsenal’s midfield not being good enough to compete with the best team. Many fans yearn for a player of Viera’s size and caliber. However, Arsene Wenger has quite a few different combinations of midfield partnerships at his disposal.

Arsenal’s midfield comprises Coquelin, Ramsey, Wilshere, Elneny, Cazorla, Arteta, and Flamini (and then there are others who play in a more advanced role, like Ozil, and those who aren’t even sure of their position, like Chambers and Chamberlain, who can all play in midfield).

The combinations are quite extensive: Coquelin and Cazorla, Coquelin and Ramsey, Coquelin and Elneny, Wilshere and Ramsey, Cazorla and Ramsey, Elneny and Flamini, Ramsey and Flamini, Arteta and Cazorla, etc…

In my opinion, however, Coquelin is one player who (generally) is assured of a place in midfield, because he is Arsenal’s best defensive midfielder. Of the other players on this list, no other players offers better defensive protection than Coquelin. Flamini is reaching the end of his career, Cazorla, Ramsey and Wilshere are too attacking minded, and Elneny is quite similar to Ramsey from what we’ve seen so far. Arteta’s career is also reaching its end.

Coquelin breaks down attacks, and has a very good pass accuracy, which make him a sure starter in midfield. The issue, therefore, is who should partner him?

Ramsey could be an ideal partner. He is an engine in midfield, and he scores goals, but he can be quite inconsistent, which is very frustrating.

Cazorla, in my opinion, is the ideal partner to Coquelin, as we saw last year. However, the Spaniard spent most of this season out with a knee injury. Further to this is the fact that Cazorla is not as young as most of the other players on this list.

Wilshere is probably one of the best midfielders at the club, but he is yet to feature this season, which is a worrying concern for the England midfielder. On his day, however, he could probably be excellent to partner Coquelin in midfield.

Elneny is the player currently occupying the position beside Coquelin, and he has impressed indeed. He also showed us the he knows where the back of the net is, with his rocket against Barca. He is also very assured in possession, and dovetails Coquelin perfectly.

So, on current form Coquelin and Elneny is definitely the choice midfield partnership, but with Ramsey fit again, and Cazorla and Wilshere on their way back from injury, things might change.

The partnership of Coquelin and Cazorla, though missing height and perceptible steel, was one of the positives of last season. Wilshere and Coquelin isn’t a partnership we have seen much of, if ever, and I would be quite keen to see how that would work out.

But currently, Coquelin and Elneny is the best partnership. If Wilshere shakes off his injuries, Ramsey shakes of his injuries and inconsistencies, and Cazorla returns back as the same player he was earlier this season, then Elneny will probably find himself on the bench.

But for now, the Egyptian has his place locked down if he maintains his impressive form.

 

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