Arsenal Vs Brighton: Mesut Ozil absence a unique opportunity

Mesut Ozil will miss Sunday’s game against Brighton and Hove Albion because of continued inflammation to his knee. His absence is a unique opportunity for two Arsenal midfielders: Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere.

The Premier League returns for Arsenal on Sunday. After their successful voyage to Belarus, where they dispatched with BATE Borisov in a fairly comfortable 4-2 win, they now host newly-promoted Brighton and Hove Albion with the need to continue their recent good form to keep pace with those at the top of the Premier League.

It is a game that will be played, most probably, as many of Arsenal’s are against the lesser Premier League sides. They will dominate possession, enjoy a large share of the ball, and be tasked with breaking down a deep and disciplined opposing defence.

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In usual circumstances, the Gunners would lean on the creativity and ingenuity of Mesut Ozil to cut through the opposition defence. His sliding through balls, his pacy, precise, low crosses, and his slick, fluid interplay all help to loosen up the side’s attack. However, as Arsene Wenger confirmed in his pre-match press conference, Ozil will miss the tie with a continuation of the inflammation in his knee that kept him out of the trip to Stamford Bridge two weeks ago. The absence, as against Chelsea and West Brom — he was on the bench for the latter game — offers a unique opportunity for two Arsenal midfielders.

Both Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey have struggled with positional uncertainty throughout their time in North London. As natural midfielders with a wide range of skills, neither have been able to nail down a particular role. They have played out wide, they have played in behind the striker, they have played as a box-to-box midfielder, and they have played as an anchoring, holding midfielder. But with Ozil now out the side, it is a possibility that Ramsey, as he did on Monday, or Wilshere will have the opportunity to play in a new role: inside-left forward.

In the 3-4-3 formation that Wenger has implemented towards the close of last season and the opening month of this season grants great freedom to the two wide players either side of the central striker.

With the two wing-backs providing the attacking width, they have the license to drift inside without compacting the space; equally, the presence of the wing-backs offers a defensive protection, releasing the wide attackers of the shackles of having to track full-backs towards their own goal.

Ramsey, who I expect to start, and Wilshere, who could well feature at some point during the fixture off of the bench, could well flourish with this increased freedom. They both have the positional intelligence and creativity in sounding out and then exploiting pockets of space in the final third that could blossom if unshackled from a deeper position or defensive responsibilities.

Next: Arsenal Vs Brighton: 5 key players to watch

It has been a long time waiting to see Ramsey and Wilshere develop into the midfield axis that drives Arsenal forward. That time is still yet to come, but on Sunday, we may get a chance to see one, either or both in a new and exciting role.