Use him right, get more of this
Lukas Podolski’s comments in Germany this week with regards
to playing in the middle should give Arsene Wenger food for thought. Over the
past few weeks the team has struggled to create against better opposition (and
Norwich) with the lone striker, whether it be Giroud, Gervinho or Chamakh (as
it was for 55 minutes at Reading), looking an increasingly isolated figure. We
have a squad in which the only two players recognised as centre-forwards are
the aforementioned pair of Chamakh and Giroud. We’ve heard Wenger tell us year
on year that Theo Walcott will end up in the middle, but he is no closer to
getting his opportunity in the place he wants to play. I don’t doubt that Theo
would look a far better player in the centre, and that is certainly where his
best work comes from. When Walcott moves himself closer to the middle he causes
defenders problems and his finishing is generally very good. The trouble for Walcott is
that he is too lightweight, for me, to be playing as a lone striker. He needs
the support of someone else in order that both opposition centre-halves are
suitably tied up with someone to mark. Podolski himself played as the lone
striker on the first day of the season against Sunderland and it was not a
productive day.
As you can see, it would seem that it might be a good idea
to get two up top. We did it at Reading to devastating effect when the
situation dictated that even Arsene Wenger had to try something different in
the interests of a positive result. I wrote a piece on here a few weeks ago
identifying a change in formation that would see Walcott getting his
opportunity in the middle, while also possibly shoring things up at the back a
little (Andre Santos would also be able to play in this system with no
detriment to the defence, while also utilising his abilities going forward). As
you will see from the couple of comments that were added some people see it as
a negative move but, as I explained in the post, it need not be a defensive
formation.
When you have a player with the quality of Lukas Podolski
you should use him in the best way possible. You could count on the fingers of
one hand the number of times Andrey Arshavin has played in his favoured
position, and his talent has been wasted by Arsenal (though the idea that he
plays there in the Russian national side is nothing more than a myth as he
plays from wide left for them). We must not waste the talent of Podolski as
well. His strength and finishing ability can be the missing piece in Arsenal’s
attacking jigsaw. Any combination of the four people who want to play up front - Giroud/Podolski/Walcott/Chamakh - could do
damage to a number of quality defences, as well as providing us with more
options from the bench.
I have never really understood why Wenger has persisted with
his version of 4-3-3. We are always outnumbered in the middle, giving no
options for the wide players. We also see our full-backs totally exposed at
times, and that is where I have some sympathy with the over-criticised Santos. I
fail so see how Wenger has not considered a change that occupies the opposition
defence more, and means that they would no longer always have an extra man when
we try to go forward. Put Podolski’s power, or Walcott’s pace, up alongside the
aerial threat and ability with their backs to goal of either Chamakh or Giroud
and you would surely be playing to the strengths of the players in your squad.
It seems to me a no-brainer, but then I’ve never worked even one day in
football so clearly know nothing.
I will try to preview the Fulham game early tomorrow, but
it’s the Wife’s birthday and I’m not going to the game as a result. My seven
year-old is well pleased as he will once again be taking my seat and hoping for
the three points. If I don’t get to write tomorrow then I will endeavour to do
something on Sunday, work permitting.
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