As Aaron Ramsey and Francis Coquelin return from injury, will their respective claims for a starting berth affect the balance of the Arsenal squad?
The returns of Francis Coquelin and Aaron Ramsey to the first-team squad from injury will no doubt be greeted with cheers from players and Gunners fans alike, but their return to fitness creates an uncomfortable dilemma for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.
There are no easy answers. Assuming Mohamed Elneny is consigned to a position on the bench, Coquelin, Ramsey, Santi Cazorla, and Granit Xhaka are the options to play in the two central midfield roles.
Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla
That is not an easy pool of players to select from, as each possesses unique talents and skills, and they are all excellent at what they do. In the light of such fierce competition, it is perhaps more understandable that Jack Wilshere left on loan in order to receive more minutes and work his way back to full fitness. Had he stayed, he would have been one of six players vying for just two starting spots.
While it is easy to say that Wenger can simply chop and change between the four depending on the unique requirements of each opponent, central midfield is a vital cog in Arsenal’s system, and the understanding built up by a regular partnership is a very valuable asset.
The Cazorla-Coquelin partnership is the most tried and tested of the possible combinations. Cazorla is a master passer, able to dictate the game from deep, playing the ball with both feet, and able to twist and turn away from challenges in the congested centre of the field.
Coquelin provides the perfect foil for his Spanish counterpart, as an out-an-out destroyer, breaking up opposition attacks and playing a simple – but effective – pass to get his team back on the front foot. There is no midfielder quite as committed to his defensive duties as the Frenchman within the Gunners’ ranks.
Xhaka and Ramsey are probably the two most similar players of the four. They are at their best in a box-to-box role, making tackles in their own half and surging forward to join the attack in the final third – and both have an eye for goal. Xhaka is perhaps slightly more committed to sitting back than Ramsey, who favours an all-action style of play.
It is a difficult decision, but it is helped by the fact that some partnerships are unlikely to be effective. In particular, Ramsey’s style of play means that it can be difficult to achieve balance with him in a holding midfield role.
For example, Cazorla-Ramsey is far too offensive, and leaves the back four very much exposed. At the same time, Ramsey-Coquelin lacks control, with neither player particularly inclined to really dictate the tempo of a match.
Xhaka-Ramsey is an interesting proposition, pairing two similar players very much at home at both ends of the field.
Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny during training
Watch this space. The battle for a starting berth between Xhaka and Coquelin was interesting enough, but once Ramsey gets back to full fitness – and top form – he is one of the best central midfielders in the Premier League. It will be fascinating to see who gets the nod, and if Wenger decides to rotate the quartet or not.
Whatever the case, Wenger has the best kind of headache awaiting him, and Gooners have plenty of quality in the ranks to be excited about.
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