RandyMarsh
Established Member
Even when Sanchez returns, Ramsey/Wilshere/Cazorla shouldn't be anywhere near the wing when Giroud is up top. It's never worked effectively enough and it never will work. There's no balance to it. The only purpose it serves is to congest the middle of the pitch. You can't rely on having one pacey outlet in the team. It's not enough.It's more to facilitate fluidity, Ramsey or Wilshere on the wing is usually better on the ball than a traditional winger. The issue is balance, with a Sanchez on one wing and Ramsey or Wilshere on the other, things are ideal because the balance is there with Sanchez being quick and penetrative or, in other words, a striker, meaning that we play with 2 strikers and 4 midfielders. However, when you play Ramsey Özil Ox all in the same lineup, there is no penetrative force, I think Wenger may think that Ox is that player but I'd characterize Ox as more of a midfielder than a Sanchez type, that's why I would have advocated starting both Giroud and Walcott so as to maintain that balance that I have described, until Sanchez returns at least. Thought Wenger came to that realization last season.
Ox really needs to learn from Theo regarding off the ball movement and runs in behind the defence. Something that is really missing from his game. He's got the pace to cause damage in behind but doesn't look to make those intelligent runs that Theo loves to make.
Penetration is a real problem for us when Theo isn't playing. While everyone else on the pitch wants to come deep with the ball to their feet, he balances out our attack by always being an option for our playmakers to feed passes to in behind defences. This is so important for us IMO.