Who will be Arsenal’s Defensive Midfielder? Xabi Alonso Perhaps?

By Richard Popple

With the likely sale of Gilberto Silva this week following hot on the heels of Mathieu Flamini’s exit, it would seem that Arsene Wenger is running short of defensive midfield options. Surely Wenger didn’t recruit Samir Nasri and Aaron Ramsey to sit beside Cesc Fabregas in the centre of midfield? Neither are renowned for their defensive qualities, with both preferring to attack with pace. So who will be playing along side the little Spaniard?

Here’s a look at the possible candidates from the current squad for this key position:

Abou Diaby

A player hyped as the ‘new’ Viera when he arrived. He’s a tall, powerful player but has so far looked more comfortable and competent attacking than defending. Due to having more options in past seasons he has never really been given the opportunity in the centre. He has instead been deployed more on the left where he has on occasion cut in with strength and pace to score some impressive goals. Although he shares a similar physique to Viera, he has a far less intimidating presence. If he could turn this weakness around and work on his tackling and distribution he could be perfect for the role but at the moment lacks the discipline of a Flamini.

Alex Song

Wenger is a huge fan of Song, who has struggled to win over the Arsenal faithful. However a loan spell at Charlton in the 2006/2007 season saw him gain confidence and more importantly, gave him regular playing opportunities. Last season he looked a different player. He reminds me of a young Kolo Toure, sharing the same desire and will to put his body on the line. Against Blackburn last season in the Carling Cup he was immense, throwing himself into tackles, hurling himself forward to join attacks and he defended every ball almost as if his life depended on it. He needs to improve his ball control and distribution to make the midfield slot his own. At the moment he is probably viewed as a back up defensive option, but Wenger is well know for developing players into other positions. I think he could provide Arsenal with an option there, but not this season.

Denilson

Of all the young players who took Arsenal to the Carling Cup final in 2007, Denilson was the most impressive. I couldn’t quite believe how calm and balanced he was on the ball and his passing is both accurate and penetrating. However, he flattered to deceive a little last term and struggled with injuries. This is a big year for the Brazilian. He has been with the club for two years and will be desperate to play more and develop his game. Unfortunately his physique is not the best. He looks a little light weight and his tackling can be erratic and has cost him in the past. A very talented player though and if he could improve his tackling, he could well take up his hero Gilberto’s mantle.

Samir Nasri

I believe he will be deployed as a wideman or just behind the striker/s. From the little I have seen of him, I would be very surprised if he was brought to sit and protect the back four. A very exciting player who really suits Arsenal’s style of play and will hopefully be more of a goal threat than Alex Hleb.

A New Signing?

If you believe the newspapers then Arsenal are waiting for Hleb’s transfer to be completed before adding further to the squad. Judging by the experience that the above possibilities lack, it may not be surprising if the money was used on an out and out replacement for Gilberto and Flamini.

Of all the rumours that have been circling, my personal preference would be Xabi Alonso. I don’t think the cost would be too much for Arsenal and he would certainly be cheaper than Gareth Barry, who at a reported 18 million is out of Wenger’s price range. Alonso would be a superb foil for Fabregas and would enjoy linking up with his Spanish colleague. He has premiership experience and would be a calming influence in the middle of the park. More importantly, he seems to have become surplus to requirements at Anfield, with Liverpool looking to raise funds to compete for their own transfer targets. The question however remains; if Liverpool would sell a player like Xabi Alonso to one of their top four rivals?

Time will soon tell. Stay tuned.

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Finally A Quiet Weekend For Arsene - Future of Flamini / Gilberto

By Richard Popple

A mixture of relief and thoughts of what might have been filled me after the Reading win on Saturday. Of course our challenge for silverware is over this season and this game had from Arsenal’s point of view, an air of lethargy about it. But we won nevertheless, a victory and a clean sheet.

The performance was professional and clinical against a Reading side that showed plenty of determination but little guile and ambition to win the game. It was great to see Theo Walcott play a full 90 minutes and he gave a decent performance. Robin Van Persie importantly is showing signs that he is returning to some form. Next year however, is a huge year for Van Persie. I hope he stays injury free and if he does Arsenal will be there or thereabouts.

What then do we look forward to from now until August? Arsene Wenger has demanded that we finish with four wins and twelve points. We have taken three comfortably and now have a week off to take stock before going to Derby a week tonight. I hope Walcott and Bendtner start that game as Wenger as made it clear that both of these players will be at the club next season. It would therefore be nice to see a bit more of them in the remaining games.

The other big talking point is Mathieu Flamini and the saga that is his future. For what it’s worth, here is my advice to Flamini: Sign the contract Mathieu. You earn enough money at Arsenal and play regularly. Arsene Wenger has given you a massive chance to play in this team and exposure to the French national side.

Flamini has been brilliant for Arsenal this season and knows that he is an integral part of the team. It would represent another greedy exploitation of the bosman ruling if he left for a free in the summer, with the promise of more money surely the only reason. It would be a massive disappointment to loose Flamini but, no player is ever more important than the club. If he wants more money then he can leave.

Oh a quick word for Gilberto. He played very well again on Saturday, it will be intriguing to see whether he stays next year, which he stated is his intention……maybe we don’t need Flamini after all? Comments are welcomed.

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Zan Wants To Be An Arsenal Man…NOT WHAT WE NEED/Flamini/Baptista

By Bilal Zaidi

Turkish defender Gokhan Zan has stated his desire to be in North London by the end of the upcoming January transfer window. I don’t know much about him apart from him being a central defender which for me is enough to say we should be spending that money in another area of the team. If you look at the numbers…we have two of the best centre backs in the premiership along with two young Swiss defenders that have shown they are more than capable of stepping up when needed. Both Djourou and Senderos shouldn’t have another defender to compete with because this would hinder their development in my opinion.

We have three very able right backs once Lauren is back and only one natural left back. If there is a need for strengthening the back four it should be in the left back slot NOT in the centre. Also, we have ONE REAL defensive midfielder in Gilberto who has really stepped up this season as one of our most important players. Even if Flamini has done well of late in a midfield five and scored a couple goals…I don’t think he would be adequate to play as the only defensive midfielder in a midfield four…he doesn’t have that presence about him that gives you confidence that he can keep winning balls and shield the defence. His stamina and work rate is second to none but I think that can only really be appreciated when Gilberto is playing so once again if we need another player it is arguably in this position. Gilberto is terrific but if he gets injured or needs a break…we haven’t really got the depth we need in that position…unless of course we get to see a lot more of Denilson.

When we got rid of Reyes and Cole it was losing two players who naturally play on the left…we got Gallas and Baptista in return…that is two players who want to play in the centre…Baptista has hardly been used by Wenger even before his injury which leads us to think whether he can be accommodated and where he will be used as we still don’t have much clarity. In my eyes at least…he is a tremendous asset to have, a fantastic scoring record just leads me to believe he should be getting games…BUT WHERE? Fabregas can’t be left out…Rosicky can’t be left out…and upfront it seems Ade and Van are running things right now so that seems to be why. That is going off the topic now…and it is Christmas day so stop reading this and go and get merry…More on signings in the January window soon. Any comments on the issues I have discussed are always welcomed…from the Turkish defenders situation…Flamini reaction or Baptista’s position and value to our team…I look forward to hearing from you all. Merry Christmas to you all.

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