Qui pour épauler Fabregas ? (débat)

English Debate: Who Will Anchor Arsenal's Midfield?

When talking about summer signings, Wenger recently said he would be in the market for ''one defence-minded player, and one creative player.'' One of the questions on Arsenal fans' lips this summer will surely be who then, will be anchoring their midfield? Alan Dawson investigates...

With Mathieu Flamini swapping London for Milan, speculation has been rife as to whether Arsene Wenger will be replacing the tenacious, moderately talented heel-snapper with an incoming transfer, or promoting from within.

Flamini had been employed in a variety of positions during his four seasons at the club, and only rose to fame in the season just gone because of his consistent performances, high energy levels, tackling ability, and acute passing skills.

It is an ironic twist of fate that he will be playing for AC Milan in September, as he could have been sealing a deal to Birmingham City, this time last year.

‘Flatusso’, as he was endearingly called by his Arsenal team-mates, only gained a long run in the side due to Gilberto's fatigue and loss of form following an enduring Copa America tournament with Brazil, in the summer of 2007.

Will another unexpected force rise to prominence under Wenger's tutelage come August? Or will he instead turn to the transfer market for his holding midfielder?

Gilberto Silva

The man who Flamini ousted, is being re-considered for the role he had made his own only a few years ago. Dubbed 'Volante' or 'The Invisible Wall', the former World Cup winner would offer cover for attacking wingbacks, Clichy and Sagna, and also for when Fabregas roams further up the pitch.

Gilberto isn't the toughest tackler the Premiership has ever seen - he is more passive when he defends. At 6'3'' he would help aid the area Arsene wants to work on this summer - balls over the top. Do you think it is a coincidence that in Gilberto's absence the team suffered in this department?

Flamini was a better tackler on the ground, but at 5'10'' would not have been able to aerially man-mark a target man as effectively as Gilberto, after all, Flamini's main strength was his energy.

Likelihood: Retrograde. Didn't take the chances offered to him last season. His stamina may now be an issue, but he will remain the fall back option.

Miguel Veloso

This young defensive-midfielder from Portugal has recently been linked to North London, but mainly through his agent, Paulo Barbosa, who said: ''We have not had contact from the Arsenal board, but from a member of the technical staff at the club.''

If reports are to be believed then an offer of £23.7million would be enough to activate a release clause in his contract with Sporting CP.

Like Arsenal's former 'Running Man', the 22-year old is a utility man who has played all across the defensive line, as well as in the centre of midfield. After Veloso collected his winners medal in the Portuguese Cup at the end of last season, he said: ''I do not know if this is my last game for Sporting, lets see what the future holds for me.''

Likelihood: Unlikely, unless Sporting are willing to accept offers below the release clause.

Denilson Pereira Neves

The U20 Brazil captain was one of the brightest prospects at Arsenal when he first arrived at the club. He was touted, along with Lucas of Liverpool, as the future of the Brazilian midfield. Now, with the emergence of Anderson, and the regression of Denilson's form and ability last season, it is unclear where this leaves him.

Arsene Wenger once described him as ''a mix of Tomas Rosicky and Gilberto Silva.'' Denilson has good playmaking ability, and if he were to make the holding role his own he would need to sharpen his defensive skills.

His passing is in shadow of Fabregas' at the moment, and if they were to operate in the centre of midfield together they would need to work in tandem, and this may limit Fabregas' ability to go forward and create.

Likelihood: Plausible. He needs to re-find his feet, first. And he does not seem to be tough enough defensively, at least not from what we saw in fleeting glimpses over the season gone by.

Mark Noble

Before the season came to a close, a Sunday newspaper claimed that an insider at Arsenal had said: ''Mark's name was certainly mentioned as a potential signing in January, when the midfield situation was discussed but there was no approach. He will become a big target if Flamini decides to call it a day.''

Flamini did call it a day. The question remains: has Noble become a big target? Alan Pardew has lavished praise on the England U21 international, describing Noble as the best prospect at the club, and went on to say: ''Mark is a capable holding midfielder, dictating games because he has the passing ability, the bite, and the will to the win.''

Whether or not Wenger respects Pardew's opinion remains to be seen, what with their decorated history.

Likelihood: Highly doubtful. Noble is a local Hammer, as are his family. What might swing the balance is Arsene's admission that he was looking at a player with 'Premiership experience', but this does not necessitate a move for Noble.

Vassiriki Abou Diaby

Diaby looked promising when Wenger snapped him up in the 2006 January transfer window, but he has never looked the same since he suffered a terrible broken and dislocated ankle.

From some sections in the media Diaby has been touted as Vieira's heir: they are both powerful and leggy, but the comparisons end there. Whilst Vieira revelled in the defensive role, Diaby looks preferable as an attacking midfielder.

To the frustration of many Arsenal fans though, Diaby was continually deployed on the left flank last season - presumably in a bid to build up his left foot. Since then, he has scored with his left peg, so to a certain extent, this aim has worked.

Likelihood: Unlikely, unless he suddenly decides to turn it up a few notches. Substitute appearances (more of them) may have to suffice.

Michael Johnson

Reports in May suggested that a trident of Liverpool; Tottenham; and Arsenal, were keen on the 20-year old Mancunian. Analogies have already been made between him, and Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, which may seem premature, but his energy, drive, and general midfield ability are worthy of praise alone.

A move for Johnson would also slot in nicely with Arsene's philosophy of recruiting young talent, and nurturing and developing it in his own, methodical way.

Likelihood: Improbable. The main question is: would he be able to take his game another level and perform week-in week-out under the spotlights at the Emirates? With Johnson next to Fabregas, the midfield would just get younger.

Alexandre Song Billong

The once maligned Cameroonian is now receiving praise for his coming of age. Recently rewarded with a long-term contract thought to be a four-year extension, it seems evident that he is a part of Wenger's long-term plans.

The 20-year old featured 15 times for the Arsenal first team last season, and played a starring role in Cameroon's march to the final of the African Cup of Nations, himself being awarded a place on the team of the tournament.

He is a strong holding midfielder, but operated as a defender for the last five matches of the 2007-08 season. He is composed on the ball, and, when playing centre back, he enjoys dribbling out of defence - much in the same vein as Rio Ferdinand, or Lucio.

Likelihood: Possible. Song will feature heavily next season, but where? Wenger's pre-season set-up will offer more clues.

Yaya Toure

Toure would be an ideal replacement to fill the void that Flamini left in Arsenal's midfield. The Ivorian is held in high regard and is considered among the top midfielders in World football. Yaya Toure, younger brother of current Arsenal defender, Kolo, has impressive physical attributes, can hold and protect the ball, and, like Kolo, is a capable passer.

He is widely seen as a box-to-box midfielder, so in this respect would presumably be a like-for-like replacement for Flamini. Txiki Begiristain, Barcelona's Director of Football, complicated a potential transfer a few weeks ago by stating: ''Yaya is not on the market... we want him to stay with us. Josep Guardiola considers him an important player in his new project.''

However, with the Catalan club's recent purchase of Seydou Keita, a hard-tackling midfielder, together with their active pursuit of Aliaksandr Hleb and Emmanuel Adebayor, a player plus cash deal might well be in the offing.

Likelihood: Plausible, exciting, but dependent on Barcelona's willingness to depart with a player they have only had on the books for one season, and Wenger's resurgence of interest in a player he had on a pre-season trial in 2002. Would be the ideal partnership in many ways if Arsenal can pull it off.

Marcos Senna

The Spanish international is the latest to be linked with the Gunners, and looking at the way he combined with Fabregas in the second half of the clash against Russia, the partnership would be perfect.

He has kept Xabi Alonso on the Spanish bench for a year now, and that should just about say it all for the Premiership fans. He has just the physique and attitude to stamp his authority on the pitch, and become a perfect foil for Fabregas. Like with Yaya Toure, though, a lot depends on Villarreal's willingness to let him go.

Likelihood: Plausible and exciting again, but unlikely. The Yellow Submarines have just qualified for the Champions League, so unless Wenger decides to cough up in excess of 15 million euros, this one looks like a dead end.

Torsten Frings

Arguably the toughest midfielder in this list, the German international has been linked with many European clubs over the last two years. However, he has remained keen to stay on at Werder Bremen through all this, rejecting the chance to move to Juventus as recently as last summer.

He is back fit, and would offer Arsenal just the steel they need, albeit he could hinder their passing game just a touch. Nonetheless, you need people to do the dirty work in midfield, and those do not come much better than him. He has a stinging shot from distance too.

Likelihood: Unlikely. Whether it is for family reasons or just loyalty to Bremen, he looks likely to see out his career there. It will be a massive coup if Wenger can convince him otherwise.

Kolo Toure

Kolo played in the middle of the park at the beginning of his Arsenal career, in early European games, and was even regarded as a utility man - much like Flamini at the genesis of his Arsenal journey.

He still has many of the attributes to be a success in that role. He is strong in the tackle, and playing further up-field will increase his opportunities of unleashing that beast of a shot we have all seen him revel in so many a time. He can also play clever passes; at the back end of last season he threaded a weighted pass through to Adebayor against Reading, and also for Van Persie against Derby, both in April.

Moving Kolo into central midfield could also solve the chink in the Gunner's defensive armoury of balls over the top if Gallas was partnered with someone like, say, Song, who has increased his stock of late, or even a new signing. When Kolo has played wing back, however, his stamina has looked suspect. And this would be a worry in the 80th minute of a game if he can barely track back.

Likelihood: Possible, but unlikely. If Wenger was toying with this idea then he would have experimented this tactic at the end of the season while he was giving games to Song, rather than wait for the beginning of a new campaign. Pre-season will be key, but smart money would be on him playing at the back.

Aaron Ramsey

The Welsh whiz kid's role at Arsenal is up for debate. Some see him playing a Cescy role but out on the wing, others see him as a defensive midfielder.

Bob Wilson, Arsenal's goalkeeping coach, said: ‘‘the possibilities of Ramsey and Fabregas in the middle are endless. Ramsey is athletic, quick, and already has brilliant quality on the ball.''

Likelihood: Unlikely. Grooming him into a holding midfielder would surely stifle his attacking prowess. On the other hand, he has played across the defensive line for Cardiff, as well as the midfield. Either way, he will be restricted to Carling Cup games, and the occasional league outing, so for next season anyway, he will not be Arsenal's anchor.

Conclusion

The more likely candidates appear to already be at Arsenal. This time last year it would have been widely assumed that Gilberto would carry on his duties in that position. If one put forth Flamini’s name for the role, your views would have rightly been frowned upon.

So to conclude, unless Arsenal sign Yaya Toure or Marcos Senna, expect Gilberto to do the job next season, with Diaby, Song and Denilson all getting their share of chances to earn a starting spot.

Vous en pensez quoi a propos de ce sujet?

- Arsenal va-t-il faire confiance a Gilberto et les jeunes (Diaby, Denilson, Song) déjà en place?

- Ou Arsenal va-t-il aller chercher un bon milieu reconnu a ce poste (Frings, Senna, Yaya) ?

La flemme de tout lire en anglais

Perso je pense qu'il vont tenter de recruter un joueur confirmé avec de l'experience... je dit pas que Diaby et compagnie sont nuls mais bon faut pas s'appuyer que sur la jeunesse! Votre saison en est la preuve

ouais, mais on a Gilberto, si il retrouve ca forme de ya 2 saisons...pourquoi pas...mais c'est vrai qu'il faut recruter dans ce domaine...

Gilberto, j'vos pas pourquoi on en parle, je crois qu'ce gars a fait des belles choses, mais que désormais c'est fini, le meilleur est derrière lui...

Derrière Fabregas & Rosicky je vois bien Yaya.
Senna serait pas mal, mais à son age, je crain qu'il mettrais du temps à s'acclimater à un nouveau championnat, et le temps qu'il y parvienne, il s'ra pas loin d'arreter.
Enfin Frings, j'le vois pas du tout en Angleterre, je sas pas pouruqoi, il apourtant une bonne frappe, à la Gerrard, à un degré moindre bien sur

le problème de Frings c'est qu'il a déja martelé que son club c'était le Werder, et qu'il voulait y finir sa carrière...
j'aimerais beaucoup le voir en PL, mais ca m'etonnerait qu'il y aille

RVN10 a écrit:

le problème de Frings c'est qu'il a déja martelé que son club c'était le Werder, et qu'il voulait y finir sa carrière...
j'aimerais beaucoup le voir en PL, mais ca m'etonnerait qu'il y aille

Ca parrait que c'est un site purement francophone lol

Dans l'extrait c'est bien écrit ce que tu vient de résumer, Frings a meme refusé un transfert a la Juve l'an passé pour rester au Werder....

Yaya Touré - Fabregas

Senna pas mal non plus., mais il est bien trop vieux (31 ans)

Jaybee a écrit:

Yaya Touré - Fabregas

Senna pas mal non plus., mais il est bien trop vieux (31 ans)

32 ans la semaine prochaine

moi je dis yaya touré , senna il est trop vieux je pense

faut convaicre le Barca qui est en mode liquidation....c'est pas sur qu'ils vont le lacher!

Si ils veulent le garder, je vois pas pourquoi ils auraient acheter Keita ..

Jaybee a écrit:

Si ils veulent le garder, je vois pas pourquoi ils auraient acheter Keita ..

je me pose la meme question mais ils continuent de repeter que Yaya a fait une bonne saison et il est dans les plans de Guardiola...

En effet il a fait une bonne saison, avec Messi c'est le seul qui a montré quelque chose.
Mais je ne pense pas que Guardiola en fasse son n°1 au milieu de terrain.

c'est clair...y va avoir une bataille avec Xavi et Keita...

mais a mon avis Ronaldinho va rester ...donc pas besoin de Hleb :P

ca va etre un truc du genre:

Ca te fait un joueur de trop F10

non c'est le 4-1-3-1-1 10 non?

1 en pointe, 1 support d'attaquant, 2 ailiers, 1 milieu, 1 recuperateur et 4 defs...

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sinon un joueur qui n'a aucun rapport et qui n'a pas été dans les rumeurs avec Arsenal, mais que j'aimerais bien voir c'est Nigel De Jong!...énorme ce joueur, c'est en partie a cause de lui que Van Der Vaart peur faire ce qu'il veut à Hambourg....

En effet, c'est un Makelele junior ! Petit mais très costaud, intelligent, bonne vision du jeu ...
Il a fait un bon Euro, bizzare qu'on n'entende pas parler de lui dans les transferts...

De Jong serait une excessivement bonne recrue. Joueur très talentueux avec une superbe vision du jeu, il a prouvé lors de l'Euro que ce n'était pas une cliente !

Suivant le HSV depuis quelques années, je peux facilement comprendre pourquoi il n'est pas encore parti ailleurs : sa direction.
Il y avait déja au mercato précédent des offres sur la tables pour VdV mais le HSV les a toutes refusées. Ce qui a d'ailleurs énervé Van der Vaart et l'a poussé à faire quelques déclarations peu élogieuses sur la gestion des transferts de son club.
De Jong est un élément important à Hambourg et, donc, je pense que - même si elles ne sont pas médiatisées - des offres pour De Jong ont déja été refusées.

Je remonte ce topic, avec les rumeurs de départ de Gilberto et le peu de nouvelles concernant l'arrivée d'un milieu défensif pour remplacer Flamini, je ne m'inquiète pas pour être franc, pour moi c'est un peu logique ce que Wenger fait, il incruste 1-2 jeunes à chaque années commes titus, et 9/10 j'ai vu ce geste porter fruit, donc si je ne me trompe pas, M.Wenger envisage de mettre Alex Song ou Abou Diaby titu à coté de Cesc la saison prochaine. Diaby a le physique parfait pour s'imposer comme Vieira, mais semble un peu plus offensif que Patrick. Pour moi c'est Song qui aura la place, un titu indiscutable avec le Cameroun, il est parfait pour le role et quand je l'ai vu jouer milieu a quelques reprises l'an passé dans la carling cup, il m'a beaucoup impressionné, alors ne soyez pas surpris que Wenger compte sur Song pour accomplir le boulot...

Voila mon point de vue vous êtes d'accord? ou j'ai tord?...réagissez

Je crois qu'il faut laisser Wenger gérer la chose, il a rarement tort lorsque vient le temps de prendre ce genre de décision.

S'il ne recrute pas c'est qu'il sait qu'il y a des jeunes derrière.

Song, c'est temps qu'il joue plus.

Gilberto Silva s'est officiellement engagé avec le champion de Grèce, le Pana je crois. J'confond toujours avec l'Olympiakos donc je saurais pas trop dire. Il s'est engagé 2 ans, à c'que j'ai lu sur Eurosport.


Song est titu avec le Cameroun ?

Cristiano a écrit:

Gilberto Silva s'est officiellement engagé avec le champion de Grèce, le Pana je crois. J'confond toujours avec l'Olympiakos donc je saurais pas trop dire. Il s'est engagé 2 ans, à c'que j'ai lu sur Eurosport.


Song est titu avec le Cameroun ?

Ouais pour Pana' t'a raison je vient de voir sur footanglais', mais bon faut voir ce que Wenger va faire maintenant...

sinon ouais t'a pas vu a la CAN?...il était titu comme milieu ou défenseur central avec Rigobert Song son oncle jcrois

Non j'ai pas eu la chance de trop maté la CAN. Ca doit être excellent de joué avec son oncle



Je pense quand même qu'il faudrait acheté un autre 6, un vrai, un pur, mais pas forcément une star ; les deux pourraient se partager le poste.

je pense quils vont essayer de recruter xabi alonso

wenger c deja mi en relation avc liverpool a propos du transfert:yeah: