Our lack of quality in central midfield

[Kano]

some pretty high level trolling going on here today

world class some might say

[GP]

some pretty high level trolling going on here today

world class some might say

You can only judge the level of trolling over the last 10 posts.

[LDG]

You can only judge the level of trolling over the last 10 posts.

Cripps

[Niall_Quinn]

We went down this route with the summer dealings. Arteta replacing Fabregas tends to have that effect. Of course the quality's gone down, but the balance is intended to shift from that area. If we didn't have retards on the flanks I am quite sure we'd be really happy about the new found solidity and direct approach. For all Arteta's limitations, I can't see how you can't see he hasn't provided this. Proof is in the pudding since he arrived.

The pudding is playing shit too, though that was a great pass to RvP vs QPR.

[Coney]

we need the midfielders to be chipping in too.

And Walcott - he should have chipped the keeper in the QPR game rather than fluffing the shot.

[Coney]

So to go back to the OP. No, our midfield isn't shit. We lack a striker and some fullbacks.

[Dog Toffee]

We have a class midfield.

[SayNoMore]

Arteta hasnt managed to change or even influence any game to any sort of extent we need. A good player, that works hard, even puts in a shift and has some sort of technical ability. But with all due respect there are better CMs who do exactly what he does and more. He hasnt managed to take control and is getting only older, so hes not gona improve tbh. Not bad but i suppose that is what this club has been aiming for in the last couple of years.

Once whilshere is back i would like to see him with arteta and i assume having jack as his partner rather than ramsay will relinquish some pressure on him. I like ramsay but he is hit and miss. This season after injury is only helping him, i think hel need one or two seasons until he can start to mature and peak.

Our midfield, after losing cesc and nasri, was always going to be weaker, but my only hope is jack. Then i believe this team will look so much better, hes that important in my opinion. No pressure or anything on him ...

[Niall_Quinn]

Arteta hasnt managed to change or even influence any game to any sort of extent we need. A good player, that works hard, even puts in a shift and has some sort of technical ability. But with all due respect there are better CMs who do exactly what he does and more. He hasnt managed to take control and is getting only older, so hes not gona improve tbh. Not bad but i suppose that is what this club has been aiming for in the last couple of years.

Once whilshere is back i would like to see him with arteta and i assume having jack as his partner rather than ramsay will relinquish some pressure on him. I like ramsay but he is hit and miss. This season after injury is only helping him, i think hel need one or two seasons until he can start to mature and peak.

Our midfield, after losing cesc and nasri, was always going to be weaker, but my only hope is jack. Then i believe this team will look so much better, hes that important in my opinion. No pressure or anything on him ...

When the season started the primary role of our midfield (in fact the whole team) was to find something to grab to stop us plunging into a pit full of shit. Arteta has helped. He's not spectacular, he's no play maker, but he's competent, experienced and is prepared to graft for the team. That's just what we needed and he's done the job well. It's interesting you are keen to see him with Wilshere - so am I. Losing Jack for so long has been a massive hit. Losing the whole bloody defence on top has been a nightmare too. The guys that can still walk have done an okay job. It could have been so much worse. In fact at one point it looked like we'd struggle to stay in the top flight, never mind challenge for a CL spot. The latter seemed like fantasy, but everyone has to admit the players and the manager have halted the plunge and have clawed themselves back into contention. credit where it's due.

Also, sack the board. Bunch of cunts.

[Cripps_orig]

Are we overhyping Jack a bit?

He didnt score or assist many last season if i remember correctly. Good player no doubt and better than Arteta and Ramsey by some distance but is he really our saviour?