Wild American Gooner

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Category Archives: Arsenal


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Should Jack Wilshere Play as a Defensive Midfielder?

This is the third in a series of posts outlining my expectation for certain Arsenal players in preparation for the new season. To see Lukas Podolski’s preview, click here. For Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s, click here.

Jack Wilshere is no longer a youngster. Even though he’s still 22, this will now be his fifth full season as an Arsenal regular (fourth if you take out the entire 2011/2012 campaign he missed due to injury). By now, he’s had plenty of time to refine his game on the highest level. But even accounting for the hardships he’s suffered through massive amounts of time on the bench due to injuries, Wilshere has not lived up to the expectations he set for himself as a teenager.

One of the problems with Wilshere has been a lack of a defined role on the field. When he was most successful in 2011, he was playing as a deep-lying midfielder, one who rarely ventured too far forward, but always picked the right passes in possession. But when he came back from his long injury layoff, somebody decided he needed to be a number 10. The problem with that was he was a terrible finisher, which led to a tentativeness in the final third that your playmaker can’t have. He’s also spent time on the wing without much success in recent time when there was no where else to play him. But everywhere he’s played since he’s come back from the injury, he hasn’t been who Arsenal fans want him to be.

Now there is word coming out of Arsenal preseason that Arsene Wenger wants to see if Wilshere can be converted into a defensive midfielder. On the surface, this idea might make a great deal of sense. It would give him a fresh start in a new role, and it would allow him the chance to see the field. As it is now, I would have him behind Mesut Özil, Tomas Rosicky and Santi Cazorla in the number 10 role, and behind Aaron Ramsey, Alex Oxlade-Chamerlain and even Abou Diaby in the box-to-box role. Wenger probably would disagree, but I wouldn’t even have Wilshere making the bench in those roles right now. So a positional change might make sense.

Wilshere’s combative style also would seem to suggest he could be a decent defensive midfielder, as he has always been an eager tackler. It has been that eagerness to tackle however, that has seen him wind up hurt so many times. Arsenal consider him prized goods, and I doubt Wenger would want to put Wilshere in a position where he’d be more likely to injure himself. I don’t see the Englishman being willing to alter his style either.

My main problem with Wilshere as the lone defensive midfielder is his lack of positional discipline. When he’s played there before, or at least when he’s played in the box-to-box role next to Mikel Arteta or Mathieu Flamini, he has often gotten caught far out of position. He has a natural inclination to advance the ball, and as his goalscoring prowess has slowly increased in recent times, he has begun making more runs into the box. He is one to forgo his defensive duties for the slightest chance at an attack.

With Ramsey so inclined to get forward in the other midfield role, and doing so with unparalleled success, Arsenal need an especially disciplined defensive midfielder who can cover a lot of ground expertly if Ramsey can continue thriving. Wilshere certainly has the talent – as he always does – but it is a question of discipline that will tell whether the Arsenal number 10 is suited for the anchor role. Personally, I’d like to see him try the position in preseason, but the second he starts venturing out of position on the regular, any experiment must be abandoned.

Wilshere has all the talent in the world. But that might be his biggest problem, as he tries to be a hero on the field far too often. Arsenal don’t need Jack the hero right now. They need a Jack that will be committed to whatever Arsene Wenger wants him to do. They need one that won’t pick up cheap yellow cards out of frustration. They need one that will be rock-solid.

I don’t think him going out and smoking a cigarette over the summer is as big a deal as people are making it, but I think it speaks to Wilshere’s over-confidence that he got caught by the press doing such a thing a second time. He believes he is a special talent, and it has gone to his head. He seems to believe things will be given to him because of the skills he showed from such a young age. In England’s World Cup journey, it looked like Wilshere found things unfair. When the going got tough, he complained about his playing time. Minor things like that say a lot about his maturity level.

I genuinely like the guy. And I desperately want to see him succeed. But I think a lengthy spell on the bench might do Wilshere a world of good in the long run. Giving him a wake-up call that he won’t just be given a spot in the starting lineup when healthy would send a message to the young midfielder that he needs to continue to work hard every day to get better.

I think he’ll end up having a great second half of the season, but I predict the first few months will be especially difficult for Jack Wilshere. Buried on the bench behind players that have earned the time, he will have to force his way back into the side. It might seem convenient to give him an opportunity to be a defensive midfielder, but nothing should be given to Wilshere right now. He needs to earn playing time the hard way in order to improve.

Am I being overly harsh on Wilshere? Please comment


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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s Positional Conundrum & Best Wishes to Thomas Eisfeld

Continuing my series outlining my expectations and hopes for Arsenal players heading into the 2014/2015 campaign, I will today discuss Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. See here for the first post about Lukas Podolski.

There’s no denying that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has serious talent. Having burst into the team with a few dazzling performances early in 2012, the Ox looked a real star, especially when he showed himself well at the European Championships as a teenager that summer. But he has failed to lock down a place in Arsenal’s starting 11 due to untimely injuries and a congestion of players in his positions.

He has had a couple standout performances in the middle of park, notably in a Champions League match with AC Milan in 2012, but Arsene Wenger hasn’t regularly deployed the Ox in the position in which the manager insists the young Englishman’s future lies. There seems to be a reluctance on Wenger’s part to use Oxlade-Chamberlain in the middle, and it’s a bit perplexing at times. As a midfielder, his desire to pick up the ball and bring it forward with a directness not seen in many Arsenal players can be rather effective. His positional sense is also decent and will only continue to develop if he plays in the middle.

On the wings, an area of the field where Oxlade-Chamberlain sees the majority of his time, his willingness to drive at defenders causes major headaches. His pace is impressive for sure, but it’s his desire to go one-on-one that sees him create chances. He is always the most likely player to earn a penalty as well. But even on the wing, he’s best when he drifts inside. When he plays out wide, he can’t utilize the vision that marks his game in the midfield. He isn’t the best crosser of the ball, so what he’s limited to almost exclusively is pace.

Last year, a story emerged that stated that Arsenal had a clause in the transfer with Southampton that gave Oxlade-Chamberlain’s former club a sum every time he played more than 20 minutes. It cited a number of substitute appearances of just under 20 minutes. I doubt the report was true, but the stats were notable in and of themselves, as they showed that Wenger might be afraid of having the Ox on the field for too long. Maybe he’s avoiding the overuse that Jack Wilshere suffered from, or maybe he just thinks the young Englishman plays better in short spurts, but it’s clear Wenger isn’t ready to fully unleash Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Had he not injured his knee in the opening match of last season, 2013/14 might have been a season when he took a few steps forward. However, that injury and the groin injury he sustained at the end of the year made it a season that saw Oxlade-Chamberlain’s career stall. This year, competition for places is even steeper. But Oxlade-Chamberlain should be right near the first XI at all times. A single injury could give the Ox a much needed run in the side that could help him reach his potential.

If Wenger truly believes that Oxlade-Chamberlain’s future lies in the midfield, I would like to see him playing there. With Theo Walcott, Alexis Sanchez, Lukas Podolski, Santi Cazorla and Serge Gnabry all capable of playing out wide, the Ox should focus on playing in the middle. He and Jack Wilshere will be competing for the backup spot to Aaron Ramsey I would imagine, but both could also be options in the number 10 role.

I don’t think the Ox is going to have a great season statistically because I don’t believe he’ll have enough opportunities to start in midfield, but I think he’ll take a step forward as a member of Arsenal’s squad with improved fitness and a steady stream of impactful substitute appearances on the wings. Ideally, he would get playing time elsewhere if he’ll be sitting on the bench in London, but I don’t think Wenger would ever loan him out at this stage of his career. It’s going to be a big year for Oxlade-Chamberlain, but we might all have to be patient to see him get his chance.

On a different Arsenal story, I was a little bit surprised to see the news about Arsenal youth academy player Thomas Eisfeld departing the club on a permanent transfer deal with recently-relegated Fulham. Eisfeld has been a favorite of mine since he joined the club from Borrusia Dortmund’s youth setup, so I am quite disappointed to see him go. He showed a knack for scoring goals from the midfield, both in preseason games with the first team and in under-21 games, and was tremendously exciting to watch

However, it was notable that despite Eisfeld’s goalscoring talent, Wenger didn’t seem inclined to give him a chance at Arsenal, rarely giving him a spot on the bench in first team matches despite his regular participation in training. Fellow German youngsters Serge Gnabry and Gedion Zelalem were offered chances ahead of the older Eisfeld. So with Eisfeld turning 21, thus forcing Arsenal to use a 25-man roster spot on him because of his foreign passport, Wenger rightly gave him his chance elsewhere.

I would have liked to have seen him go on loan for a year rather than signing a permanent deal, but there might be a buy-back clause we don’t know about. However, I think it’s pretty clear Wenger doesn’t believe Eisfeld possesses the quality necessary to star in Arsenal’s crowded midfield, and if there isn’t a place for him, selling him so he can continue developing at a young age is the right thing to do. I wish Eisfeld all the best at Fulham, and I will be eagerly watching his play over the coming years.


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Don’t Give Up On Lukas Podolski Yet, Mr. Wenger

Leading up to Arsenal’s first game of the 2013/2014 campaign, I will do a series of posts profiling certain players. In these posts, I will assess their place in the squad and outline my expectations for them in the upcoming season. I might also have a few suggestions about how they should be utilized tactically. The first of these posts is about recent World Cup winner Lukas Podolski.

Everybody loves Lukas Podolski. It’s impossible not to. Few players in the game are as affectionate and openly passionate on and off the field as the German forward is. For many casual Arsenal fans, he is the first name they think of on the team. And not only is he personable, he is also lethal with the ball on his left foot. His shooting ability led to him becoming the youngest European player to ever reach 100 caps for an international team in 2012. Yet despite all that, many seem to think having Podolski on the field is a liability.

Having been at Arsenal two full seasons now, you would have thought Podolski would have earned a clear-cut role in the squad given his ability and goal-scoring prowess. However, Wenger has not found a spot he feels comfortable playing him in. Given Podolski’s strike rate (28 goals in the last two years in limited playing time) and obvious talent, it’s downright strange that Wenger hasn’t figured out how to utilize him. He’s not a center forward capable of holding up play like Oliver Giroud. He’s not a speedy winger that will offer support for the fullbacks behind him. And he’s not a number 10. But he’s someone who can score from anywhere, even against the run of play, and I think that’s pretty valuable.

There has been talk in recent days about Podolski looking to move elsewhere in the coming weeks. And frankly, I wouldn’t blame him for wanting to leave. His club has not loved him as much as he has loved the club. But I think it would be a huge mistake to sell the German forward this summer for a couple of reasons.

The first reason not to sell Podolski now is that I think the signing of Alexis Sanchez will help Podolski find his best form. Sanchez is the type of player that Podolski could thrive next to, and here’s why. In December of 2012, Arsenal played two of their best offensive games in recent years against Reading (a 5-2 win) and Newcastle (a 7-3 win). In those games, Theo Walcott played as a center forward, with Podolski on the left, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the right and Santi Cazorla behind Walcott. As evidenced by those scorelines, this quartet played some amazing soccer together. The pace of Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain created spaces for Podolski and Cazorla on late runs into the box that Giroud never could create. Those four put on a show that December, but unfortunately, that lineup didn’t last long.

Last season, when Podolski got his run in the team in the final two months or so, he was playing alongside a rather static Arsenal side. Instead of the pacey Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain, Podolski was playing with Cazorla, Tomas Rosicky and Giroud. None of them were opening up areas for Podolski at the top of the box by going in behind, and he couldn’t find any space to shoot in the crowded middle of the park. Only when Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Özil returned did Podolski start finding his form.

Players like Walcott bring out the best in Podolski, as defenders can’t hang so tightly on his left foot when the threat of Walcott running in behind is in their heads. The German only needs an inch of space to get his shot off, and when he does, it usually goes in. His shot to goal ratio is off the charts. But Walcott as a center forward had its faults against more physical teams. However, Sanchez might not have such problems. He would be able to make the same runs Walcott could, which would help Podolski out. Coupling Sanchez and Walcott with Podolski could also be an intriguing option. A front-four of Podolski, Sanchez, Walcott and Mesut Özil would be incredible offensively.

If a new defensive midfielder is signed that possesses a little more range and athleticism than Mikel Arteta does at this stage in his career, playing such an attacking minded lineup up front might be a possibility. I wouldn’t suggest using that lineup against every team, but when at The Emirates, most opponents wouldn’t stand a chance. And against the bigger teams, this could be the lineup used at the end of games when defenses are tiring. Put Podolski on in the final twenty-five minutes to run at defenders, with Sanchez and Walcott making those runs in behind, and good things will happen.

The other reason to keep Podolski around at least another year is that he is a proven winner, coming back with the confidence of a World Cup winner. Not only will that confidence manifest itself on the field, but it can also be a massive boost in the dressing room. Especially given his popularity among his teammates, another player that has tasted success could be key to this team believing they can actually win the league this year.

Yes, his defensive cover is rather troubling at times, but he does track back. He’s usually willing to run back when he loses the ball, and he does well in the air when Arsenal is defending corners. So I don’t think he’s as harmful to the team as he is sometimes made out to be. But there are a lot of players that are probably ahead of him in the squad right now. Especially considering that he’s arriving at preseason late due to his post-World Cup break, he’ll have his work cut out to earn a starting spot.

I implore Arsene Wenger to give Podolski a chance to play alongside Sanchez and Walcott this year. Think of all the goals he has scored over the last two years, and then think about him potentially having more space and time to shoot. It’s a mouth-watering prospect, one that could spark a twenty goal season should he be given a run in the team. Even if he’s not starting every game, he’s an incredibly valuable player in the squad. I would hate to see everybody’s favorite player sold before he’s given a proper chance to thrive.

I will leave you with a video of Podolski’s top 10 career goals, and you tell me if his finishing ability deserves a spot in the team.


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Player Ratings for Arsenal’s First Preseason Game Against Boreham Wood

Arsenal’s first appearance of the preseason was a walk in the park against sixth-division Boreham Wood. The 2-0 win was quite comfortable, and the lovely afternoon provided a number of youngsters the chance to shine alongside some season veterans.

Much of the focus was on improving fitness, but a few players in particular shone today. Chuba Akpom, Kris Olsson and Benik Afobe were especially impressive in the second half, and all three young players will hope to have made an impact on the boss today.

The first half performance was rather pedestrian, as Arsenal just knocked the ball around the pitch without much intention of creating chances. Nobody was looking to take anybody on, and while it was comfortable, only a few chances arose.

The second half was much different, as the introduction of an entirely new eleven saw a more direct approach. The possession was still there of course, but players were looking to take Boreham Wood defenders on, and as a result, Arsenal created a few more chances which ultimately led to the two goals.

It would be wrong to read too much into a game like this, but it was nice seeing the lads back in action. The new Puma kits looked sharper than I expected, and overall, this looked a confident side. Here are my ratings for the Arsenal players today.

Player Ratings (1-10)

Yaya Sanogo – 5.5/10 – Sanogo’s movement up front was pretty solid, and he got in a number of good areas, but he really needed a goal today. He sent his two best chances straight at the goalkeeper, and he looked frustrated after the second one. He was unlucky not to get an assist on Jon Toral’s chance.

Chris Willock – 5/10 – The young winger was a surprise starter, and showed himself alright in his first appearance with first-teamers. He looked decent in possession, but wasn’t particularly incisive in the final third. He is a long way off, but could be a talent in a few years.

Jon Toral – 6.5/10 – The young Spaniard may have been Arsenal’s best player in the first half. Popping up in a variety of areas, Toral had a few decisive passes and was unlucky to hit the post with a left-footed effort.

Aaron Ramsey – 6.5/10 – Ramsey looked the best player on the pitch in the early going, but he seemed more interested in building fitness than in scoring goals. He played a couple clever passes, but should have done better when he got to the byline early on. He looked quite comfortable wearing the captain’s armband.

Gedion Zelalem – 6/10 – Once again, the young Zelalem threaded an impressive through ball in the opening minutes, and looked quite comfortable on the ball. He always had his head up, and was one of few in the first half who seemed eager to create chances.

Francis Coquelin – 6/10 – In his return to Arsenal, Coquelin did everything right defensively, with a few well-timed tackles and a nice clearance with a header, but his distribution looked quite rusty.

Nacho Monreal – 6/10 – Monreal wasn’t too busy in the back, but when called upon, he did his job. Offensively, he got onto a ball from Zelalem in the final third and made a couple decent runs.

Isaac Hayden – 6.5/10 – The young defender looked comfortable in the back today, making his presence felt any time Boreham Wood got the ball into the Arsenal half. I’m always surprised at just how big he is.

Semi Ajayi – 5/10 – Ajayi looked well off the pace in the back, getting caught out of position on Boreham Wood’s lone break. He also nearly gave away a handball on the edge of the box.

Carl Jenkinson – 6/10 – Jenkinson didn’t have much to do, but he got forward with some enthusiasm. There wasn’t much in the way of end product, but Jenkinson looked his typical self down the right.

Wojciech Szczesny – 5.5/10 – Szczesny had very little to do. He made one suspect decision on the edge of his box, but he headed the ball away nicely in the end.

Substitutes

Benik Afobe – 7/10 – The young forward made a number of smart runs up top in the second half, and was dangerous in the box. He deservedly got the second goal on a well-taken penalty.

Chuba Akpom – 8/10 – The youngster was Arsenal’s man of the match today. Every time he got on the ball down the left, he looked to take defenders on, and he created a number of chances for himself. He did brilliantly to get the cross in that earned the penalty late on.

Tomas Rosicky – 7/10 – Rosicky provided a couple terrific balls, including the assist on Arsenal’s opener. He looked steady as ever in his usual role.

Kris Olsson – 7.5/10 – The young Swedish midfielder was lively from the moment he stepped onto the pitch. He looked to go forward when he got the ball, and created a host of chances. His opening goal was brilliantly taken. Arsene Wenger will be especially happy with Olsson’s play today.

Abou Diaby – 7/10 – Diaby’s long strides were on display today, as he got forward often, making a number of intelligent runs. He looked confident on his repaired knee, and Arsenal fans will be happy to see his assured display.

Mathieu Flamini – 6/10 – The defensive midfielder hardly got a touch today, but he was steady on the ball, and was well-positioned defensively.

Kieran Gibbs – 6.5/10 – Gibbs wasn’t involved much defensively, but he made a couple of nice runs down the left. His pace was noticeable every time he got on the ball.

Ignasi Miquel – 5.5/10 – The young Spanish defender had very little to do in the defensive end. But on the offensive side of the ball, he’ll be disappointed with a mistimed header from a corner.

Julio Pleguezuelo – 5.5/10 – Another young Spanish defender had a couple headed clearances, but other than that, did very little in his second-half appearance.

Hector Bellerin – 6.5/10 – The third member of the Spanish contingent to play in the second half, Bellerin put in a good display down the right. He was eager to get on the ball, and he combined well with Olsson a number of times to create some chances.

Damian Martinez – N/A – Martinez hardly had the ball in his half of the field in the second half, and wasn’t a part of the match.


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And It Begins, Sort Of

Good morning, everyone. Today is a great day, for the 2014/2015 Arsenal campaign unofficially kicks off with the first friendly of the summer. The wait between the World Cup and the start of the Premier League will feel like an eternity, but games like these ones help help make the waiting a little easier.

Before I get to Arsenal though, I want to say something about the Red Sox. Don Orsillo has been the team’s outstanding play-by-play commentator since 2001. He is so good at the job that you take him for granted sometimes. He is rumored to be in a contract dispute with NESN, the Red Sox’s TV station, and his forced in-season vacation right now makes it seem like NESN might be nudging him out. I can’t stress enough how big a mistake that would be for the network. Watching the last few games without Orsillo in the booth have been painful on multiple levels. Jerry Remy’s color commentary is replaceable, but Orsillo’s play-by-play is not.

Now to the Gunners. I know very little about Boreham Wood, Arsenal’s opponent today, but it’s not the opponent that matters in the first game of the year. It’s about the players slowly regaining their form and fitness, and it’s about giving youngsters a chance to prove they belong in the first team. Even if Arsenal were playing a high school team, it would still be a valuable exercise for the preseason’s first game.

Personally, I thoroughly enjoy watching these games. It’s not that I want to see the starting 11 on the field though. I prefer watching the youngsters, and it’s usually my only chance to do so. Players like Thomas Eisfeld, Kris Olsson and Chuba Akpom excite me tremendously, and I love getting a look a their development. And beyond that, there is usually an abundance of goals in this first friendly against the inferior competition. While the goals might not be the prettiest at this stage, it’s nice to see Arsenal players hit the back of the net in any situation.

I don’t have many expectations for today’s game, because Arsenal haven’t said much about the squad they are planning on playing. They’ve suggested many of the first team players who weren’t in Brazil will be on the field, but I’d imagine there will a number of new faces mixed in. And I would guess as many as 22 or 23 players will see the field. Beyond saying that they’ll be wearing the new yellow Puma strip, Arsenal have offered very little about the preparation for this game other than a series of pictures yesterday.

The first thing I noticed in those pictures was the presence of Francis Coquelin. Remember him? Wearing yet another different number this year, Coquelin has seemingly returned from a season-long loan in the German Bundesliga. I don’t know how long he’ll stay around, but it was a pleasant surprise to see his face again. I’d almost entirely forgotten about him, and a quick internet search suggests most Arsenal fans are in the same boat. It wasn’t that long ago that the versatile young player was starting Premier League matches at the Emirates.

Obviously, this match and the rest of the preseason will be vitally important for Coquelin’s chances at Arsenal. Should he put in a series of impressive displays, Arsene Wenger might have to give him another shot. But if he doesn’t, a transfer arrival at the defensive midfield position could send Coquelin on his way out the door for good. For his sake, I hope he gets a chance to see the field today.

The other first-team player I think preseason will be important for is Yaya Sanogo. I’m sure I’ll have much more to say on him in the coming weeks, but Sanogo has been somewhat of an enigma in his year at Arsenal. I’d be inclined to say he impressed me last year, especially in the biggest matches of the year – remember that his two best displays were against Bayern Munich in the Champions League and off the bench against Hull in the FA Cup Final. However, he never scored a goal. And for a striker, that’s not a good statistic. He simply must score this summer to show everyone he is physically capable of putting the ball in the net.

Carl Jenkinson could also use a huge performance today, as this might be his last shot at convincing the Arsenal brass that they don’t need further cover at right back. Jenkinson should get the start today, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him be the most dangerous player today. With Mathieu Debuchy coming in as the starter, I would like to see Jenkinson go out on loan to another Premier League club. He needs playing time to keep improving, and it would be a shame to see his growth as a player stunted by a lack of time on the field. Remember that not long ago, he earned an England call-up.

I am way too excited for this match for what it is. But it’ll be great to see the Gunners back in action. I’m sure I’ll have lots to say post-game, so check back later today. COYG!