After the signing of Santi Cazorla – Who has the better midfield, Arsenal or Manchester United?
Bringing in Santi Cazorla adds a whole new dimension to Arsenal’s midfield. The Spaniard is a steal at £16 million, especially when you consider Liverpool are looking to buy in Joe Allen for £15 million.
Many people are now asking what this means for the Gunners’ chances next season. Much will depend on the future of Robin van Persie, still uncertain.
One of the clubs he has been most strongly linked with is Manchester United, but do the Red Devils really have a better chance of winning silverware than Arsenal?
Van Persie should take a look at the two sides, and the midfields tasked with supplying him with chances. When he does, he may just elect to stay with Arsenal.
Here’s a look at the two teams’ midfields:
Arsenal
Central, defensive, and attacking midfield: Alex Song, Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey, Abou Diaby, Tomas Rosicky.
Wingers: Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho, Andrei Arshavin.
Fringe players: Emmanuel Frimpong, Francis Coquelin, Thomas Eisfeld.
Manchester United:
Central, defensive, and attacking midfield: Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes, Anderson, Tom Cleverley, Darren Fletcher, Shinji Kagawa.
Wingers: Nani, Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia, Ryan Giggs:
Fringe players: Ryan Tunnicliffe, Davide Petrucci
Analysis – A clear look at the central players shows Arsenal have greater strength in depth than United, especially in their reserves. Shinji Kagawa is not necessarily an orthodox midfielder, preferring to play behind the striker, so his inclusion here is arguable too. Both clubs have injured or unwell players in Jack Wilshere and Darren Fletcher, which balance themselves out.
Not all United fans are convinced about Michael Carrick’s qualities, while Arsenal supporters are similarly divided on Aaron Ramsey, who at least has age on his side. United’s big hope is Tom Cleverley, but one suspects too much pressure is being plied on his young shoulders, while Anderson is considered injury prone and Paul Scholes unlikely to play week in week out at the age of 37.
It underlines why the club are keen on a player like Lucas Moura, and they may just need to sign a player of his quality, but Arsenal have signed Cazorla for potentially half the price and at 27 he is proven quality. You could argue United have the edge in terms of wingers, but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is bound to improve even further and player more regularly and become even more of an asset.
All in all fans may, and will, dispute who has the better midfield, but what is clear is that United’s is not substantially better than Arsenal’s and there is no ‘big pull’ of a step up in class to entice Van Persie to Old Trafford.
Who has the better midfield, United or Arsenal? And what does Cazorla’s arrival mean for van Persie?
image: © crystian cruz
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