He's no longer good enough to be an automatic first choice player for us.
Agreed. Last week he made Christian Erikssen look like Usain Bolt. Far too slow.
Far bigger culprits today but he was found out on Schurle and Oscars goal. Think our central defense is far too static with him in front of Koscielny.
We should have invested properly in a strong replacement last summer and phased that player in throughout the season.
Instead we got Flamini on a free.
That's not Flamini's fault, but it represents so much of what's wrong the Wenger and the club.
I do think this may be his last season as first choice, though I had that opinion since the start of the season. He will bring great depth though like Rosicky does.
Said after the Liverpool game he was finished. He's gotten even slower and that is a frightening thought.
He does look done. We seriously need fitter and steadier midfielders. The three men out would've been invaluable today.
Rayman wrote: I do think this may be his last season as first choice, though I had that opinion since the start of the season. He will bring great depth though like Rosicky does.
I definitely think we should try and hang onto him and make him a squad player. His experience is a great asset and in games where we dominate he can still be very good.
great servant during the 'crisis' era and can still offer the squad something. however its no coincidence this topic often comes up after big games. arteta upgrade has been required for over a year.
Was never good enough. Playing poorly in the big games is something he's done since he arrived.
Flamster till the end of the season.
Since this season is now effectively over, apart from the cup, I'd wouldn't mind giving minutes to Jack and Ramsey as a CM partnership once they're fit.
He's fine in the smaller games but it's pretty obvious he's not good enough for these big games. Neither is Flamini but I think he's a little better.
You're not going to find too many holding players better than Arteta. And the type of player who shuts down counterattacks by himself, regardless of poor team shape, is very rare. He has had some great performances in games where Wenger is a bit more tactically clued in - not a coincidence. I would love another CM, but that's because Arteta/Ramsey/Schneiderlin or something similar would make for a solid squad. He's not a perfect player but he is very good and his shortcomings are not the reason for our failures this season IMO.
Massively overrated.
His legs are completely gone and again this season in big matches he has been out of his depth. Flamini isn't the solution either but we need an upgrade in that position. Though today Ox was just as bad as him and left him exposed far too often. At the top level no matter how good you are if your midfield partner has a mare you will end up looking pretty bad as well
innervisionscm wrote: You're not going to find too many holding players better than Arteta.
You're not going to find too many holding players better than Arteta.
We had one sitting on the bench today. There are loads in our league alone. He'd be so easily improved upon in this regard.
TBH I don't think he's ever really been a natural holding midfielder anyway.
Since Ramsey got injured we've lacked the power and drive from midfield. Jack had a few good games in and around early January but he hasn't got anywhere near the running power of Ramsey, and definitely not the strength. Wenger's decision to change from buliding teams of incredible athletes is very strange. We need physical presence in the centre. It might not be a popular thought with football snobs, but rightly or wrongly it remains an important part of English football.
I don't see why can't have it both ways, physical strength and technical ability. Yes, it would cost more, but we'd have a much better team.
Patters wrote: Since Ramsey got injured we've lacked the power and drive from midfield. Jack had a few good games in and around early January but he hasn't got anywhere near the running power of Ramsey, and definitely not the strength. Wenger's decision to change from buliding teams of incredible athletes is very strange. We need physical presence in the centre. It might not be a popular thought with football snobs, but rightly or wrongly it remains an important part of English football.
Completely agree. Thats why I don't even like playing Jack deep. Ramsey and a big burly athlete who can play a quick simple pass is what we need.
In general we need players who are stronger, faster and more determined.
Ivanovic never gets much praise or attention, but his pace and strength does so much. Outpaced Santi today with ease. And I don't even think of Ivanovic as a quick player.
