What I like about players like Arteta playing in that position is they tend to win it back by interceptions (not that he can't tackle) and can use their ball skill to bring it out of deep in our half and then lay it off or whatever it might be.
It's incredibly important to have a player that is always there to control the ball and pass it. It's not to say Arteta is the best at this because he isn't but the need for conventional DMs (as destroyers) I think is a bit antiquated.
Not sure where the stat mentioned above comes from. I found these though:
http://www.talksport.co.uk/magazine/...e-stats-195988
http://sport.uk.msn.com/football/pre...sters#image=12
(Arteta is 5th in the PL)
So being behind only Pirlo and Xavi was bs?
Thought as much
I just can't see it. At games or watching on tv, he just really frustrates me. If he did more, maybe the team would do more.
You don't see it much on tv as that just follows the ball but at games, you can see Podolski or Theo making a run but Arteta ignoring them to pass sideways or back, keeps possession but ultimately doesn't do anything.
As I've said, he's not a bad player but he needs to do much more. He clearly isn't great as the WUMs on here suggest
Fine. I don't think he's outstanding tbh. But he's not as bad as some of the other WUMs on here suggest either.