Alexis Sanchez Can Play Through The Middle
Watching the first half of our match Vs Everton, it's likely your initial impression was one of negativity and a head full of questions. Why was Ozil on the left? Why did we play 4-1-4-1? Why, when Lukaku was once again targeting Monreal on our left hand side, did Wenger not play someone who tracks back with better effect to aid our Spanish defender? I imagine that most of us have been chewing upon our misgivings since the match finished. It's one hell of a mouthful.
I think there are a few variables at play here, Santi being woefully off-colour is just one. I reckon he will start Vs Besiktas but I also think Wenger recognised our diminutive Hispanic dual-footed genius is still a bit off the pace and is costing us with misplaced passes. Ozil is a talented enough footballer to play any forward position and with his touch and vision, he would impact from wherever he is deployed. At least if it wasn't his first game back. He didn't really connect with the game nor with team-mates. This wasn't localised to him however - it affected the entire attack. The contrast between the 1st and 2nd half was stark and served as a pertinent reminder how important Giroud is to our most effective system. Wenger has a point though.
Why shouldn't the cream of Europe be able to slot in where required? Surely if their chief attributes fit, then they can adapt as necessary? If you play on the left in our team, you have free reign to cut-in and cause merry havoc around the opposition box. That sounds like bliss to Mesut. The problem though wasn't with him, it was a lack of cohesion that will be ironed out as the season progresses. Hopefully it won't take too long as the League has a non-stop, frenetic pace that is unforgiving to slow-starters.
It is well documented that our current hero, Ramsey, was utilised on the wing and Wenger has often spoke about our players getting a thorough education of the footballing variety. What raised an eyebrow at the time was our Welsh demi-god was going through a crisis of confidence and form. Fans were heckling and pundits were sharpening their already keen knives. Wenger caught the flak as he insisted on playing him but look where we are now. Wenger's stubborn refusal to give in to the nay-sayers has paid off massively. Ramsey aids us in all areas of the pitch and, seeing as he has gone through the darkest of dark days with form and still played through it, can still influence a game even when not at the height of his powers, as evidenced in the last two League games. If Ramsey can do it, why can't Ozil, Jack and Sanchez?
The short answer is they can. Ozil in the World Cup played wide when needed and had impact. The system has been well laid for all the Deutschland players so they are familiar with most roles and what is demanded of them. There was a bedding in period though and Germany had to start from scratch and put down blueprints for all levels of their players, from U16 to Die Mannschaft. Surely then, we shouldn't judge a player and his ability to play in a position after 45 mins of a game where the opposition got their approach spot-on?
The problem though, is we do. I happen to be a strong advocate of Ozil occupying the No.10 position and never straying from there. He is arguably the worlds best there and should have that nailed down. It doesn't mean that he can't play where required. It is all about the team. Jack has all the tools necessary to play further forward, an auxiliary No.10 if you will. I believe his partnership with Ramsey could reap huge dividends if allowed to blossom. More on that in a later blog. The real issue though, was the reaction to Sanchez.
Sanchez was subbed after 45mins in the Toffees game. His movement was exemplary but his attempted forays into the box were quickly snuffed out by a stifling Everton defence. Our forward line was static at best and he ploughed a lonely furrow in that painful half before he was hooked out in favour of our handsome, yet maligned Frenchman. Cue judgments from fans who were of the opinion that Sanchez cannot play that role. After one half where the whole team were decidedly poor. Really?
Sanchez didn't have one touch in the Everton box. In a vain attempt to see more of the ball, he dropped deeper and a little wider to kickstart an ailing strikeforce. In a game where we weren't exactly at the races, and trying out a system, Sanchez gamely battled but it didn't work out. That falls on Wenger's shoulders. He can play there though.
Sanchez at Barca was often deployed on the shoulder of the last defender - see his stunner Vs Real for a great example of the sight of his heels meaning curtains for the opposition.
If he is employed in this manner, then the same outcome is odds-on. In the Everton game though, he didn't have a fully firing outfit behind him giving him ammunition to let fly. We were disjointed and jarring and this apparently means he cannot play there again.
I just think we are too quick to judge. I did the same when watching it initially. As aforementioned, if the tools in a players skillset are beneficial to a certain position, then they should be able to adapt. These players are far from neanderthals just kicking a ball around a pristine pitch. They understand tactics. A period of acclimatisation would be nice, but such is the nature of our money-driven game, this luxury is often not afforded to them.
Wenger has excelled in seeing players key attributes and finding a better position for them in order to fully exploit the players adroitness. Lauren, from a holding midfielder to rugged full-back. Petit from centre-back to holding midfielder. Henry from the flank to a King. Even an aging Bergkamp in the Cup Final in 2005 was used as a lone ST. It wasn't pretty but we should remember that these players have a brain. If Wenger thinks they can play in that position, then he usually has a point. Ozil must start in the hole though.
Ollie changed the game on Saturday. We reverted to our trusted formation and we laid siege to the Toffees backline in the last 20 or so minutes. Going back to this system also meant Ozil returned to his natural position and his touches and vision were a joy to behold. Sanchez however, watched from the bench.
Once we click, and we have a well-oiled team and a fit Theo, Sanchez will blow all doubters out of the water. I think we will see him gain some much needed confidence in Europe first. A more tactical approach from the opposition could see Sanchez once more used up top and if we play on the counter then watch Alexis fill his neon boots.
@JokmanAFC Tell us what you think! If you agree, or have a different view, please leave a comment in the comments section or why not write a response or your own article on YouWrite?
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