Arsenal conceded a last minute equaliser to draw 3-3 with Liverpool in
a pulsating match at Anfield on Wednesday. But besides the result
which was two points lost for Arsenal, there were several sub plots to
the match, one of which includes Arsenal's midfield that went missing
yet again.
It is important to lay a foundation on this, so that there would be a
better understanding of why Arsenal's midfield has simply become
porous.
The midfield partnership of Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin
happened by accident, but through it, Arsenal have been able to struck
gold with both players dovetailing in a parlance of midfield
understanding. Both players are adept at defending, with Cazorla's
ability to recircle possession while receiving the ball as the last
man from the centre halves, this was always a delibrate tactics
between both players because the ambidextrous Cazorla is very
technical and the ball could stay glued to his foot. And both Coquelin
and Cazorla are always close to each other which makes it difficult
for teams to easily penetrate Arsenal's midfield. The catalyst for
this emerging glint was the complete performance from both players in
the 2-0 win over Manchester City at the Etihad last season.
However, this blossoming partnership was cut short after both players
got injured in a space of one week against West Brom and Norwich
respectively in November. Since both players sustained knee ligament
injuries, another midfield partnership emerge between Aaron Ramsey and
Mathieu Flamini.
While Ramsey has taken up the Cazorla role, and Flamini the Coquelin
role, Arsenal have practically played with a one man midfield when
both Flamini and Ramsey have played together, that ability to control
matches and retain possession under pressure have become history. As a
result of Ramsey's tendency to go for the glory of goals, Flamini has
become most times like an abandoned fisherman left alone to pull out
full net of fish from the sea, and the pressure of that pulling has
led to more sinking.
The struggles of this midfield partnership has not been too obvious at
the Emirates, but away from home it has been exposed repeatedly.
Although it must be said that Arsenal's first match in December
against Sunderland at the Emirates was an accident in terms of the
midfield partnership between Flamini and Ramsey. One consequence of
this partnership is the fact that it gifts the opposition lots of big
chances during periods of games.
On how this partnership has been exposed away from home, none more so
than the 4-0 defeat at Southampton on Boxing Day when Arsenal's
turnovers from giving the ball way when pressed by the Saints forward
line increased because of the lack of technical nous between Flamini
and Ramsey.
The same happened in Wednesday's draw at Anfield, but the only
difference was that the team responded offensively.
Mathieu Flamini's time in the defensive midfield position would have
been less stressful to the Arsenal defence if Ramsey does not
repeatedly abandon his defensive responsibilities. Some observers
would point to the three goals he has scored in the league since he
moved to the middle of the park, yet it should be pointed out that
what made him such an effective player in the 2013/2014 season when he
scored 16 goals from midfield was his discipline, and the fact that
Mikel Arteta was beside him in midfield to act as the technical player
that would keep the ball ticking.
Frank Lampard made a key point last month when asked about Ramsey's
tendency to go searching for a goal, he said the Welshman must
understand that in a two man midfield he must understand and undertake
his defensive duties while adopting a disciplined approach to going
forward.
His deep runs into the opposition box to get on the end of crosses is
something nobody can iron out of his game, but he is getting to a
stage where he has to draw a line between the glory of the team, and
personal glory. He focuses more on goal scoring than trying to balance
the act of goal scoring with defending alongside Mathieu Flamini.
With the confirmation of the signing of Mohammed Elneny, it remains to
be seen how Arsene Wenger approaches Arsenal's away days in the league
in the coming weeks, as it is clear that Arsenal's continuous missing
midfield will not be found as long as Ramsey continues to leave
Flamini shielding the back four alone in the middle of the park.
Some would point to the five wins, a draw and a defeat in seven league
matches, and the two wins in other competitions, which is seven wins
from nine matches through that midfield partnership. Yet it is the
hairy moments that has become a regular fixture in matches that has
left this partnership in dire need of a revisit before it cost the
team.
a pulsating match at Anfield on Wednesday. But besides the result
which was two points lost for Arsenal, there were several sub plots to
the match, one of which includes Arsenal's midfield that went missing
yet again.
It is important to lay a foundation on this, so that there would be a
better understanding of why Arsenal's midfield has simply become
porous.
The midfield partnership of Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin
happened by accident, but through it, Arsenal have been able to struck
gold with both players dovetailing in a parlance of midfield
understanding. Both players are adept at defending, with Cazorla's
ability to recircle possession while receiving the ball as the last
man from the centre halves, this was always a delibrate tactics
between both players because the ambidextrous Cazorla is very
technical and the ball could stay glued to his foot. And both Coquelin
and Cazorla are always close to each other which makes it difficult
for teams to easily penetrate Arsenal's midfield. The catalyst for
this emerging glint was the complete performance from both players in
the 2-0 win over Manchester City at the Etihad last season.
However, this blossoming partnership was cut short after both players
got injured in a space of one week against West Brom and Norwich
respectively in November. Since both players sustained knee ligament
injuries, another midfield partnership emerge between Aaron Ramsey and
Mathieu Flamini.
While Ramsey has taken up the Cazorla role, and Flamini the Coquelin
role, Arsenal have practically played with a one man midfield when
both Flamini and Ramsey have played together, that ability to control
matches and retain possession under pressure have become history. As a
result of Ramsey's tendency to go for the glory of goals, Flamini has
become most times like an abandoned fisherman left alone to pull out
full net of fish from the sea, and the pressure of that pulling has
led to more sinking.
The struggles of this midfield partnership has not been too obvious at
the Emirates, but away from home it has been exposed repeatedly.
Although it must be said that Arsenal's first match in December
against Sunderland at the Emirates was an accident in terms of the
midfield partnership between Flamini and Ramsey. One consequence of
this partnership is the fact that it gifts the opposition lots of big
chances during periods of games.
On how this partnership has been exposed away from home, none more so
than the 4-0 defeat at Southampton on Boxing Day when Arsenal's
turnovers from giving the ball way when pressed by the Saints forward
line increased because of the lack of technical nous between Flamini
and Ramsey.
The same happened in Wednesday's draw at Anfield, but the only
difference was that the team responded offensively.
Mathieu Flamini's time in the defensive midfield position would have
been less stressful to the Arsenal defence if Ramsey does not
repeatedly abandon his defensive responsibilities. Some observers
would point to the three goals he has scored in the league since he
moved to the middle of the park, yet it should be pointed out that
what made him such an effective player in the 2013/2014 season when he
scored 16 goals from midfield was his discipline, and the fact that
Mikel Arteta was beside him in midfield to act as the technical player
that would keep the ball ticking.
Frank Lampard made a key point last month when asked about Ramsey's
tendency to go searching for a goal, he said the Welshman must
understand that in a two man midfield he must understand and undertake
his defensive duties while adopting a disciplined approach to going
forward.
His deep runs into the opposition box to get on the end of crosses is
something nobody can iron out of his game, but he is getting to a
stage where he has to draw a line between the glory of the team, and
personal glory. He focuses more on goal scoring than trying to balance
the act of goal scoring with defending alongside Mathieu Flamini.
With the confirmation of the signing of Mohammed Elneny, it remains to
be seen how Arsene Wenger approaches Arsenal's away days in the league
in the coming weeks, as it is clear that Arsenal's continuous missing
midfield will not be found as long as Ramsey continues to leave
Flamini shielding the back four alone in the middle of the park.
Some would point to the five wins, a draw and a defeat in seven league
matches, and the two wins in other competitions, which is seven wins
from nine matches through that midfield partnership. Yet it is the
hairy moments that has become a regular fixture in matches that has
left this partnership in dire need of a revisit before it cost the
team.
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