DJ_Markstar
Based and Artetapilled
Player:Martinelli
ArsenesNO1Fan said:Looking at the table though (this year and last) our average goal difference is much better with them.
Fair enough, seems likely enough, but any actual stats?
ArsenesNO1Fan said:Looking at the table though (this year and last) our average goal difference is much better with them.
redanddread said:^ If he knew that he'd not win another trophy again for another 9 years, I wonder if he'd have said something like that at the time. In 2005 we'd been serial trophy winners for 5 years.
Moanrinho deployed a 3 man midfield on his way to winning the 2004 CL & the 2005 League title. I think it was more a case of moving with the times when Wenger changed to the 3 man midfield-it also allowed him to be a more possession based team. He didn't move to a 3 man midfield until 2008 though (I think)
There has been some talk recently in the match threads and Coq's thread about him needing to develop some more DLP qualities or that someone like Verrati would be ideal for us.
I completely disagree with that sentiment and feel that Coquelin fits perfectly with what we have. I don't think we need a DLP type in our current formations.
Here is a great article on the Liverpool match that illustrates how our pressing scheme completely wrecked Rodger's 3-4-3
http://spielverlagerung.com/2015/04/06/arsenal-liverpool-41/
To me Coquelin's physical and instinctual qualities as a ball winner are essential here to why we wrecked Liverpool and why he was player of the match against Burnley. Those qualities are far more essential to providing the platform for our attacking players to perform well than even someone like Verrati.
Moving forward I think we need someone to backup Coquelin who is in the same mould. Kongdogbia seems like an even better fit than Schneiderlin at the moment.
I think we need to move forward with the ball winning midfielder midfield foundation instead of looking for a DLP type like Arteta.
It's a shout, but they need to be much more than passengers in possession. There'll be quicker transitions, but less security in possession.
In one sense that's true. Coquelin doesn't have the passing range or vision of a Pirlo or Verrati perhaps but thats less important imo.
I don't think it necessarily means less security in possession especially if we take the rest of the team into account. His passing accuracy is over 80% which should be fine for his position and he even does make some decent mid range diagonals occasionally.
Also I think Coq fits with the defensive line we have found this season. Bellerin drifts upfield a lot and can combine with Coq along with Caz/Ramsey and that provides a strong trio to retain possession. Monreal has been really good at staying back as a full back when Bellerin attacks which solidifies our defense as well instead of when we bombed both fullbacks up like wingbacks at times.
I think we need a mix of traits to have the most security in possession and like Henry points out having Le Cop on the pitch adds an element we don't have with Arteta or a less physically imposing DLP type like Verrati.
@The_Roadrunner
The problem with people wanting someone like Verrati or Pirlo who can play the quarterback role from deep is that you have to another midfielder to cover for their weaknesses. Juventus for example play without a No. 10 as do PSG.
An orthodox No. 10 is built into our style of play, it allows us to have someone between opposition lines and quicken play and score on the counter. Giroud in particular would struggle in a formation without one.
Players like Busquets, Alonso and Pogba who can combine many different midfield roles account for probably less than 1% of professional footballers. You can't just go out and buy any old player and ask him to do what they do. Is Schneiderlin that player? I don't think so.
This team is built around a world class No. 10 in Özil and adding a DLP wouldn't improve us, if anything it may well make us worse by effecting team balance. If Pogba is available I hope we'd buy him, otherwise get someone like Kondogbia. Maybe even Saul Niguez who will be able to do it all in a few years.
It all depends on what we, as a team, want to be going forward. Özil taking more responsibility on the ball is good, it means we have someone who can dictate the tempo of a game. Failing that, we need someone else who does if Özil has a bad day. Having such a player (DLP) in the squad would be useful. Even if they don't start every game. Most people seem to just want us to sign another ball-winner in case Coquelin gets injured - which is understandable I suppose!
It's possible that the club also want to grow their own Busquets/Alonso etc - someone who wins the ball and is diligent when either he or the team has the ball. All this does not mean Coquelin isn't important, but it's simply a means of seeing how the team progresses going into next season.
Probably because he has the ability to be dominant as a B2B DLP and even a DM.Pogba is awesome, but why is mentioned in a DLP/DM debate?
Would be great to get him, but chances are very slim. Besides we could spend thst huge amount of money more wisely, as Pogba isn't better than Rambo.
It all depends on what we, as a team, want to be going forward. Özil taking more responsibility on the ball is good, it means we have someone who can dictate the tempo of a game. Failing that, we need someone else who does if Özil has a bad day. Having such a player (DLP) in the squad would be useful. Even if they don't start every game. Most people seem to just want us to sign another ball-winner in case Coquelin gets injured - which is understandable I suppose!
It's possible that the club also want to grow their own Busquets/Alonso etc - someone who wins the ball and is diligent when either he or the team has the ball. All this does not mean Coquelin isn't important, but it's simply a means of seeing how the team progresses going into next season.
We don't "need" a DLP in case Özil has an off game. That changes our whole style of play and if we had a technical, physically weak midget like Verrati as DLP then we would still need to cover that physicality and steel elsewhere in midfield anyway - and Ramsey, Cazorla and Wilshere can't do that.
While Verrati might sometimes be PSG's deepest midfield they still use two physical midfielders in Matuidi and Motta to cover that area. Coquelin is basically our only real physical midfielder with grit and steel. We need that more than a DLP considering the only other real physical players we have outside defense are Giroud and Welbeck and Giroud isn't as physical immense as he probably should be as a target man.
As I said, it would only depend on what we want going forward. If we want to be a side that builds up play slowly or quickly. Coquelin is probably better suited to the latter and we can compensate for his (slight) lack of tactical awareness in possession play. I actually think it would be better to stick to what we have with Coq as the holder, but I don't know if I'd sign another straight up ball-winner. It leaves us limited as to the option we use to play alongside Coq or play ahead of him occasionally.
Also, regardless of transition, we are currently creating less shots than usual, which indicates there's a very minor problem with our build up. We need someone alongside Coquelin IMO who is able to get the ball quickly to the final 3rd also. Cazorla hasn't really been doing that as much recently, probably because he's played quite a lot recently. Wilshere is probably the one who transitions quicker simply by carrying the ball, but I think he needs to stay out of the final third for now.
I'd sign Kondogbia personally, have always liked him. Big fan of Schneiderlin aswell though.
I was more a fan of a Schneiderlin signing until recently. Now I am coming around more to the idea of Kongdogbia or Illara. I think both, for different reasons, could be good additions as both could play if Coquelin is injured/needing rest, both could play with Le Cop if Ramsey is injured or for tactical reasons and neither would expect to be the main starter like a Schneiderlin, Bender or Cabaye would.
Also I could care less if we are creating less shots as usual if we are also more clinical as we have been.
It depends on the kind of shots we're producing and where those shots are occurring. More shots = more chances to score. If we're not having a particularly efficient day then we'll need to rely on that volume. That ability to easily create chances in the final 3rd and in particular the prime areas.
We have been more clinical recently so it hasn't mattered, let's hope it continues that way! Kondogbia or Illarramendi are two somewhat left-field options, and slightly different to each other. Kondogbia not quite as good a passer as Illarra but he has the size, power and dribbling ability to carry the ball and dominate a midfield when switched on. Bit like Diaby but slightly more defensive. He plays more B2B now, but he was pretty much a DM at Sevilla.
Illarra is as good a ball-winner, but more of a passer. He's definitely more Busquets than Alonso though, a defensive player but has the acumen to aid the team's attack simply by his positioning and intelligence. You get less power and height with Illarra but don't lose any of the defensive game.
Which one aids faster transitions to the final 3rd? Will have to analyze more of their play again.