Alfred C. Jolibois, PhD
10-30-2013, 01:20 PM
...defensive mids. Arsene knows this, as it is now clear that both Flamini and Arteta start ahead of these two when all are fit.
Watching the game yesterday, when either Jack or Rambo starts as the holder and passes the ball, he immediately runs forward to be a part of the attack, leaving a gaping hole in front of CBs, whereas Flam or Arteta (or Essien/Mikel) always hold their position to help the team maintain its shape. Given that Jack now gives the ball away a good 30% of the time (what's with that anyway?) through being dispossed or misplacing a pass, this puts undue stress on the CBs. If Flam or Arteta is playing alongside Jack, then ususally we get away with it as the shield is in place. If only one is playing alongside Rambo, then no problem as Rambo runs and presses and the other sits (and Rambo now rarely gives the ball away--Dortmund a glating exception, of course).
Arteta and Flamini together provides extraordinary security but pushes Ramsey on the wing and Wilshere on the bench (assuming Ozil and Cazorla always play). When Theo comes back, Arsene will have to decide whether Ramsey is worth breaking up the Flamini/Arteta duo he now prefers. If Arteta/Flam remains the solution when all are fit, then we need another holder in January to deal with the inevitable injuries and suspensiosn (see yesterday). That and another striker will be the priorities.
One way or the other, jack/Rambo as a defensive mid combo will never work, unless one of them agrees to sit, somethings that will never be in their nature...
Watching the game yesterday, when either Jack or Rambo starts as the holder and passes the ball, he immediately runs forward to be a part of the attack, leaving a gaping hole in front of CBs, whereas Flam or Arteta (or Essien/Mikel) always hold their position to help the team maintain its shape. Given that Jack now gives the ball away a good 30% of the time (what's with that anyway?) through being dispossed or misplacing a pass, this puts undue stress on the CBs. If Flam or Arteta is playing alongside Jack, then ususally we get away with it as the shield is in place. If only one is playing alongside Rambo, then no problem as Rambo runs and presses and the other sits (and Rambo now rarely gives the ball away--Dortmund a glating exception, of course).
Arteta and Flamini together provides extraordinary security but pushes Ramsey on the wing and Wilshere on the bench (assuming Ozil and Cazorla always play). When Theo comes back, Arsene will have to decide whether Ramsey is worth breaking up the Flamini/Arteta duo he now prefers. If Arteta/Flam remains the solution when all are fit, then we need another holder in January to deal with the inevitable injuries and suspensiosn (see yesterday). That and another striker will be the priorities.
One way or the other, jack/Rambo as a defensive mid combo will never work, unless one of them agrees to sit, somethings that will never be in their nature...