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TopTopQuality 2,753 pts

The worrying implication of West Ham defeat

Posted by TopTopQuality over 8 years ago · 19 replies

Everyone was playing badly, both goals were results of abysmal defending and goalkeeping.

But let's have a look at why the midfield and attack were so toothless and pathetic.

The reason is simple - Wenger tinkered with the formation. The Cazorla-Coq partnership in midfield was disturbed. Ramsey was playing centrally and Cazorla "on the left". Here are heatmaps (Ox included for demonstration only, coz he actually played like a winger)

The most likely reason why Ramsey was playing centrally is because he's probably very frustrated, so Wenger is afraid he'll push for a transfer and now trying to shoehorn him into the team.

Let's be real - Cazorla out wide is a very bad idea. He played there a whole season when Ozil came, and his game suffered a lot. Also Cazorla is a better central midfielder than Ramsey at the moment.

So, my fear is - one of Cazorla, Ramsey or Ozil will have to leave.

Of course, if it was up to me, I'd boot out Ozil right now. But Ozil has some kind of a intimate relationship with Wenger, so there's no way Wenger will sell him. And he won't sell Ramsey. So, what I fear is that he'll sell (or drop) Cazorla.

19 Comments

Morleys Mesut Özil > You and your mum, chief 4,431 pts
Posted over 8 years ago by Morleys

Özil got injured early on in the season (in which Mesut provided a lovely assist for him against Besiktas/Gala dunno what one) and Alexis carried our entire team. Özil came back when Alexis was cream crackered and was going through a rough patch. Then a few weeks later our play between Santi-Özil-Alexis was great and the FA Cup semi & final was the pinnacle of the three players.

TopTopQuality 2,753 pts
Posted over 8 years ago by TopTopQuality

This isn't about Ozil though, it's about a very serious issue. One of Cazorla/Ramsey won't be starting. Or if they both start, the team will be playing like last time

Morleys Mesut Özil > You and your mum, chief 4,431 pts
Posted over 8 years ago by Morleys

On the topic, Ramsey is the one who has to be dropped. He's gone back to pre-13/14 of thinking he's a superstar and trying to force the issue constantly, shoot non-stop & try flicks all the time. You need Santi deeper to dictate the game, two actual wingers and Özil behind the striker.

TopTopQuality 2,753 pts
Posted over 8 years ago by TopTopQuality

"2 actual wingers" - I presume you're not including Sanchez in those 2

If you drop Ramsey he'll start thinking about a move away from Arsenal. Cazorla still has at least 2 years of top quality in him. Ramsey won't be sitting on the bench for that long.

And where the hell does that leave Wilshere

Morleys Mesut Özil > You and your mum, chief 4,431 pts
Posted over 8 years ago by Morleys

Alexis has played as a winger for most of his career. It's not like he's Cazorla cutting in and trying to pass his way through. He's the complete opposite. Alexis with Ox/Theo on the wings is fine and I don't think we've seen it yet.

Morleys Mesut Özil > You and your mum, chief 4,431 pts
Posted over 8 years ago by Morleys

Özil got injured early on in the season (in which Mesut provided a lovely assist for him against Besiktas/Gala dunno what one) and Alexis carried our entire team. Özil came back when Alexis was cream crackered and was going through a rough patch. Then a few weeks later our play between Santi-Özil-Alexis was great and the FA Cup semi & final was the pinnacle of the three players.

Ix Techau Evil Mastermind 14,278 pts
Posted over 8 years ago by Ix Techau

Özil got injured early on in the season (in which Mesut provided a lovely assist for him against Besiktas/Gala dunno what one) and Alexis carried our entire team. Özil came back when Alexis was cream crackered and was going through a rough patch. Then a few weeks later our play between Santi-Özil-Alexis was great and the FA Cup semi & final was the pinnacle of the three players.

This.

Mate Kiddleton 1,512 pts
Posted over 8 years ago by Mate Kiddleton

Santi has to play in the middle imo, he and Coquelin work very well together. Ramsey either has to play as a wide midfielder or make an impact off the bench.

Ix Techau Evil Mastermind 14,278 pts
Posted over 8 years ago by Ix Techau

Here's my best team and why. 4-1-2-3:

GK - Cech: Hopefully just a glitch in the first game, but so far he's just cost us points. No better alternative though.

RB - Debuchy: Miles above Bellerin. Confident tackler, experienced international, best right-back in the league. Will not bomb forward like Bellerin does, but we have plenty of attacking players for that.

RCB - Chambers: Future Arsenal captain needs to start playing now, ahead of Mertesacker in my opinion. Chambers is quick and very mature for his age. Risky, but worth it.

LCB - Koscielny: One of the best central defenders in the world, obviously.

LB - Gibbs: Great attacking full-back. Monreal is very solid but a bit too solid for my liking. Gibbs will connect well with Sanchez.

DM - Coquelin: Playing him as a sole DM sweeper in front of the back four. Double pivots are so 2009.

AMCR - Ramsey: Great at adapting to the occasion and become more or less defensive as needed. Will complement Özil in that zone and not step on toes like Wilshere or Cazorla would.

AMCL - Özil: Best classic Zidane-like #10 on the planet, no competition.

RW - Walcott: Ox is a great bundle of explosiveness, but prefer that type of player as an impact sub. Theo is still very fast, and is the type of winger we need.

LW - Sanchez: For obvious reasons. In terms of flair and offering something different, he is the best option we have to create something out of nothing. He's our Messi/Hazard/Aguero.

CF - Welbeck: This may seem very strange, especially since I'm a huge Giroud supporter...but this XI is based on balance, and with the players I've selected so far I can't see Giroud's hold-up flick-on play working out. Welbeck showed at the start of last season that he is a classic poacher. He positions himself for a rebound, he bombs forward, he tries to run the offside trap...the exact opposite of Giroud. With a player like that, our creative midfielders will have more options for through passes and latch-ons. However, I'd prefer Benzema of course, as he's capable of playing both hold-up and poacher.

So yeah:

Cech
Debuchy, Chambers, Koscielny, Gibbs
Coquelin
Ramsey, Özil
Walcott, [new poacher-like striker], Sanchez

Morleys Mesut Özil > You and your mum, chief 4,431 pts
Posted over 8 years ago by Morleys

Cazorla - Coquelin until Ramsey stops being post-leg break Ramsey and reverts to back to basics Ramsey of 13/14

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