Who will solve Arsenal’s midfield problem?
Who should replace Diaby in the midfield? by AM
So, just when it was looking as if Abou Diaby would fulfill his potential and elevate Arsenal as genuine title contenders, his injury woes have struck again and this time he will miss the action for three weeks. Now the question that pops up is – who will replace Diaby in the midfield?
The French international is such a unique midfielder that it is hard to find his replacement in the Arsenal squad. In fact, Wenger won’t be able to make any ‘like for like’ change to the starting line-up. Arsene Wenger does have a lot of options in the midfield, but none can provide the physical presence that Diaby does, and more importantly none of the other midfielders can defend aerial balls and set pieces as the Frenchman does.
Let us now take a look into the options that Arsene Wenger has –
When Arsenal demolished Southampton 6-1 this season, Abou Diaby was not in the starting eleven. Francis Coquelin replaced him in the midfield, alongside Mikel Arteta. Coquelin is still young, but is someone with huge potential. Although perhaps he is still too raw to make regular starts, he can be a good substitute for Diaby in the midfield at the moment. He is good defensively and exciting going forward as well. Also, any playing time will be good for his own progress.
But while playing alongside Arteta, his main responsibility could be to defend. That would allow the Spaniard to move forward. So Arteta’s role might change from what he normally performs when Diaby is playing alongside him. The former Everton man will push a lot higher up the pitch, to become the connection between the defense and the attack, while he leaves most of the defending responsibilities to Coquelin.
The other option that Arsenal have at the moment is Aaron Ramsey. The midfielder has started this season brightly and looks like he is finally recovering from the mental scar of his horrific injury. Ramsey would be a interesting option, considering he is a different type of player to Coquelin. The Welshman is not defensively as capable as Coquelin is, but he can certainly provide the driving runs that Arsenal would be missing with Diaby out injured. If Ramsey plays, Arteta will have to drop deep, back to the position where he plays alongside Diaby.
Having Ramsey ahead of Coquelin will mean Arsenal will be weaker defensively, but the team will flourish while attacking. Arteta is at his best when he controls play from deep, if he is forced to play up the field (in case Coquelin is picked), it will reduce the Spaniards’ influence on the match. When Arteta plays deep, he has more time on the ball, something which he will miss if moved up the field. So, for me, Ramsey is a better option than Coquelin, specially keeping Arteta’s effectiveness in the deep role in mind. Maybe Wenger will go for Ramsey at home to Olympiakos and Coquelin away to West Ham on Saturday.
Jack Wilshere would have been the natural replacement for Diaby, but the Englishman is still not fit enough to feature in the first team and Arsene Wenger is unlikely to take any risk with him. Similarly, Frimpong will require some more time to get back to his best.
These three weeks, will be significant in terms of Arsenal’s title challenge. This period will test the club’s depth in the squad and also its resilience. How do you think we will cope?
ramsey for now, but do play le coq sometimes as he does need experience.
but when wilshere is fully 100% fit hes back in the line up for me
COYG!
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
20 
4
More of a problem if Arteta doesn’t play.
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
54 
0
Arteta is our holding player that should not change, if we need safe options we use Ramsey and Coqs but are very dull options. Arshavin, Wilshire, OX, Eisfield and possibly Rosicky are more than enough. Why is it we are panicking over Diaby not being in the team??????? I dont see the need to buy anyone.
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
28 
4
We must not overplay Wilshere. He must recover 100% and bring him in slowly.
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
28 
1
Ramsey tonight and we could maybe bring on coquelin in and around the 60th minute
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
12 
2
The bigger problem is that Arteta has an injury doubt. Who will replace him?
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
16 
0
When fit arteta-wilshere-cazorla
when physical like stoke
arteta-diaby-cazorla or cazorla on wing and wilshere as att. mid.
plus rosicky,coquilan,ramsey,ox,dench and many young guns depending on injuries and intensity and importance of game.
we are realy covered midfield, defence, wingers only a quality ball playing striker is needed. i have faith in giroud but 1 more top quality needed.
Our squad is best in a period of month all player will be available.
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5 
0
To replace Oxtail Chumbermaids for Aboo Dabi. To replace: Arteta to Rumsey. Futures, Rosiky and Wishires. Not problem we have strength in debt.
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3 
5
Ramsy will be an ideal replacement for Diaby so that he supports the attacking and Arteta plays defensively
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2 
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what about the ox.last time he played in central midfield in a champions league game he was outstanding,possibly our best player.
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7 
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If Arteta is out I would give Coq a chance in front of the defense. Santi C could go a further back, since he is capable of holding on to the ball, an then try Arshavin behind the striker, preferably Giroud. Ramsey seems more concentrated when he comes on in the second half, so he´s one for the bench tonight. Not to mention that the Ox is also available in the midfield.
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3 
0
Play le Cocq. we need his defensive qualities. you never know hos offensive olympiakos will go out. it will also give le Cocq confidence and he has already shown this season (when he has been given the chance as a sub) that he is ready. Go le Cocq!!
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4 
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The fact you all think coqlan, Ramsy and Frimpong can ever help arsenal wil anything is an indication of how brainwashed and foolish arsenal fans are !
Many many years we hear the same injury excuses and how Ramsy is coming good.
Same pathetic quality and shameful standards.
Arsenal will never win anything when such players are available.
Ramsy and others must be sold for any hope of silver wear.
Hopefully after 8 years dry and Arsene long gone will people realise such wasted youth flops was the reason.
Then all those blind fans will admit we were right.
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0 
6
we could even consider having cazorla a little deeper (box to box) and ramsey/arshavin in the regular CAM. i still think we have many options for someone like coq this is the ideal time to shine. and also diaby will back meaner and stronger
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1 
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IMHO Arteta should continue playing the Pirlo role this season and he is amazing. The setup needs a defensive mid playing slightly higher, like Gatusso and currently Vidal, doing the dirty job in the opposition half and keeping it short and simple to Arteta or Cazorla. Coq should be given the nod. Watching him vs spurs away last season, I was impressed and believed he could break into the first team not for too long. May be this year is his breakthrough
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2 
0
WE NEED PHYSICAL POWER, THIS IS WHAT DIABY BRINGS!
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1 
1
Coquelin over Ramsey.
Ramsey’s problem especially on Saturday is that he makes the wrong pass too frequently.
I’d much rather see Arteta free in a more creative role for a couple weeks than the wrong final ball being played constantly.
Also, Coquelin could be the man to replace Arteta if he keeps gaining experience, I really don’t see Ramsey being a starting name for Arsenal ever.
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1 
2
Well, last year we were missing all our full backs and the same time. We´re now missing four of of MF players; Diaby, Wilshere, Rosicky, Frimpong. In addition, Arteta needed a late check to be available. I am very sceptical playing Arteta if he is in any way at risk playing tonight. Losing him at the same time as we´re missing the others could hurt our chances more than possibly losing 2-3 points tonight.
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1 
0
Oh my god the idea of CAZORLA and ROSICKY together for a match just makes me wonder
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4 
0
Aaronnnnn Ramseyyyyy!!!!
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3 
0
Wilshere was 18 when he played regular football….Fab was 17yo….
were they ready then???
Wilshere is more like a replacement for Arteta rather than Diaby…
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3 
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In my opinion and looking at players we have available at the moment, Arteta will be the resonable replacement for Diaby at this time.Coquelin will put in the defensive shift in the meantime and Arteta will revert when Diaby or JW returns.
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1 
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Coquelin need games…..he can become good if he gets more playing time…..
he provides the pace…a good cover for Diaby…
Till then Arsenal still need Diaby…he provides the pace, the Muscles, the strenght, the long legs for tackling…
hes the new ‘ viera ‘ or ‘toure’
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1 
1
In one word: Fellaini!!! Wenger must go for him in January…
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1 
3
If wenger had signed Messi or Ronaldo at 16yo…they will be claim as not ready by some fans and will be shouting for more siginings…
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2 
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I agree with GO.
Diaby’s replacement is actually Arteta. Arteta can play two positions which are DM or CM. He is actually the best for both positions and way ahead of anyone else for DM.
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0 
0
Fellaini and M’Vila!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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0 
3
Arteta > Fellaini and M’villa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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1 
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Is anyone lookin at the fact that… these internation teams care nothing for club’s players…. Here today, deschampless is stating that he can do whatever he wants with these players… like its his players… they need to know that international football is not greater than club football.. atleast not until the worldcup… We need to include international playing clauses into the contracts…. if you are not 100 percent fit.. then the club has to give you the go ahead to play international ball.. nd no consideration if so for just a friendly…. these guys are killing football nd don;t even care about the players long term future… diaby himself should know better…. the team just nursed you from a 2 yr injury stint… nd now you rush off to play mr france like they were the ones taking care of you… rehabin you etc…
This is the thanks we get…
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0 
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Now here is the situation with wilshere.. as with ramsey last year… everytime these players should be restin to rebuild their body structure inbetween games.. they go off to play a friendly which is hardly friendly… here comes england already talkin about cleverly and wilshere… like they don;t
have enough confused midfielders on the pitch… after such long layoffs the club should be responsible for saying when and if you are ready to play internationally again over the next 6 months to a year… bcuz we pay the salaries… we train them… the build nd teach them… we develop them.. we nurse them… its all the club.. nd internation call ups
just abuse and misuse them for hype..
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0 
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this is a huge issue in football right now… this is killing them teams… and hurting the players chances of excelling in their salaried games.. the games that the team itself pays if you are not at your best…. international ball knows nothing about that… they just knowin about putting on shows…. like its still about wars and which country have the greatest soldiers… why is any player risking their health to play against teams like serbia.. jamaica… nd the list goes on…
and then you miss you next game that you get payed for.. and are actually appreciated for and developed to be better game aftr game..
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1 
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