Match reaction v the orcs

[Power n Glory]

I don't think it was. Arteta and Ramsey together was a good combination for us last season and filled space very well to help the defence. Arteta also picked the ball off the technically limited centre-back (Mertesacker) from deep allowing us to build attacks. I can see why people like Flamini's work rate but he's not exactly doing anything amazing. He was a good free transfer when we could have got ripped off signing a dud. As far as balance goes Arteta should come back in in my opinion. Christ knows how the idea that he's not good at his job has come this far. As far as the long term goes, we'll be looking for someone with similar qualities but obviously younger and more mobile.

Why do you think the Flamini and Ramsey combo isn't working? It's not as if Flamini ventures that far up field and then when you look at the goals Ramsey is scoring.....he's moving further up field even more. Towards the end of last season he started getting games down the centre again but when we were desperate for points. He was more defensive minded then or that was the call of the day because had to tighten up at the back. Also worth pointing out that we had Rosicky. He doesn't float about from flank to flank as much as Ozil does or Jack for that matter.

[JonasTC]

TOP OF THE LEAGUE!! :D

I love how we scored the stoke way and stoke decided to do a classic Arsenal goal

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

There was me thinking Arteta and Ramsey playing together was the reason we got blitzed at home to Bayern Munich, no protection in front of the back four and no cohesiveness in midfield....playing them together for me was a disaster....because even when we had a winning run with them in midfield towards the back end of last season the performances were dreadful...struggling to beat QPR, Fulham etc
Then again if Ramsey wasn't scoring goals i'd be happy for neither of them to play, and have a three man midfield consisting of three of the four of Ozil, Wilshere, Cazorla and Flamini.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Arteta is integral and remains so imo.

[Power n Glory]

There was me thinking Arteta and Ramsey playing together was the reason we got blitzed at home to Bayern Munich, no protection in front of the back four and no cohesiveness in midfield....playing them together for me was a disaster....because even when we had a winning run with them in midfield towards the back end of last season the performances were dreadful...struggling to beat QPR, Fulham etc
Then again if Ramsey wasn't scoring goals i'd be happy for neither of them to play, and have a three man midfield consisting of three of the four of Ozil, Wilshere, Cazorla and Flamini.

Arteta, Ramsey and Wilshere have struggled in the midfield and I'm really not of fan of that combo. You're right about the lack of cohesion and protection to the back four. I think Ramsey and Wilshere hold on to the ball for too long, play too many high risk passes and also wonder all over the pitch too much. Arteta lacks mobility and can't cover that much ground.

When we have more players back it will be interesting to see what happens. I don't think Ramsey and Wilshere work well together at all. It's one or the other. We have plenty of options to play with once we have more players back.

[Dennis Bendtner]

Why do you think the Flamini and Ramsey combo isn't working? It's not as if Flamini ventures that far up field and then when you look at the goals Ramsey is scoring.....he's moving further up field even more. Towards the end of last season he started getting games down the centre again but when we were desperate for points. He was more defensive minded then or that was the call of the day because had to tighten up at the back. Also worth pointing out that we had Rosicky. He doesn't float about from flank to flank as much as Ozil does or Jack for that matter.

I didn't say it isn't working as such but I think Arteta will work better and give the midfield a better shape. You are right about Ramsey's role being different which is why I should have cited Arteta's individual qualities.

[GP]

Nah man, Arteta is pointless, remember?



He's vital and we've missed him.

[Power n Glory]

I didn't say it isn't working as such but I think Arteta will work better and give the midfield a better shape. You are right about Ramsey's role being different which is why I should have cited Arteta's individual qualities.

But why would he give us better shape? What would he do that Flamini isn't already doing or what would he do better?

[Dr Singh]

I think it just depends on a game to game basis.

It's nice to know our squad has about 18 players who can slot in and out, with no great reduction in quality. We have the strongest squad we've had in nearly a decade.

[Munchies]