By ‘ABW Guest Blogger’ Aaqib A. (@Aaqib_Alyas)
Coquelin has emerged as our new defensive midfielder and Wenger may be hesitant on purchasing a new midfielder. With the possibility of Flamini leaving this summer maybe Jack could play a deeper role also?
Ever since Steven Gerrard retired from international football Jack Wilshere has taken over his position as the defensive midfielder/deep lying playmaker for England. Displaying four Man of the Match performances in a row, serious questions have been asked if he could do the same for Arsenal.
Jack Wilshere has all the attributes to be a good defensive midfielder/deep lying playmaker. Wilshere has developed a reputation as being a tough tackling midfielder, he has the passion, aggression, great passing and footballing intelligence.
Wilshere has similar passing attributes to the likes of Xabi Alonso and Andrea Pirlo so there is no reason why he can not grow into that role if he’s given the opportunity to do so. If you take a look at some of the top players in that position around the world, you do not need to be a ‘destroyer’ to be a successful defensive midfield player/deep lying playmaker. Pirlo, Carrick, Xabi Alonso and Busquets are perfect examples of a defensive midfield player/deep lying playmaker. If you have good positional sense and are good at keeping possession, then you are good enough to play in that position.
There is no denying that his attributes would be more suited further up the field but with resources being stretched through injuries it can do no harm in trying a fresh approach. This is also an opportunity for Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere together. Arsène is trying to find a way for them to play together. At the start of the 2014/2015 season, Arsenal were playing a 4-5-1 formation so that Jack and Aaron could play with each other but it didn’t work. Could playing Jack deeper be the solution?
With Francis Coquelin putting Man of the Match performances week in week out, it’s going to be extremely difficult for Jack to even get back in the team. But if he can get back to his best and back in the team, we could see a change in Jack’s mentality and positioning in a way that benefits both Jack and the Arsenal.
By ‘ABW Guest Blogger’ Aaqib A. (@Aaqib_Alyas)
Aaqib is a friend of the #ABW and always up for a chat about the Arsenal – go give him a follow on Twitter – OG