Arsenal: Should and can Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey start together?

Could Arsenal find more creating output if both Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey played together? What formation can incorporate the two?

Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere have had terrific performances since for Arsenal the beginning of the season. Ramsey, in particular, has been brilliant, as he has contributed two goals and two assists in the Premier League.

Wilshere has been appearing in the Europa League for Arsenal and has been the main creator for the team in that competition. Even though he has not recorded a goal or assist yet, he has been pushing the ball forward and creating opportunities for others.

He got his first appearance in the Premier League this season against Everton on Sunday and was solid for the 13 minutes he was in. For Wilshere, appearing in the League could be a recurring theme in the future.

The two midfielders linked up in the win over Everton, as Wilshere played through Ramsey for a goal. Ramsey plays the spaces well and always seems to be in the right position when attacking. Meanwhile, Wilshere pushes forward through the center and often finds players running through the channels.

Together, these two could create many goals with their great link-up play for themselves and other teammates. The 3-4-3 will limit the amount of opportunities these two can play together, though.

Where would they fit in 3-4-3?

With only two central midfielders in the current formation, it is hard to find a combo who will fit together. Right now by default, the partnership is Granit Xhaka and Ramsey. Ideally, Arsenal would want a creator who has a good work rate and a defensive midfielder who can control the game.

If Wilshere and Ramsey featured together in the midfield it would not be successful. Neither of them would sit back like Xhaka does, and they both aren’t good enough defensively.

However, these two could play in the front three. They have both played there this season and have performed well. Even though they are technically in a wing position they both hover to a more central area, similar to Özil.

Thus, one could play in the midfield while the other lines up at the right-wing. This would mean a dropped or a sold Özil.

If Özil leaves

If Özil does exit in January and a direct replacement is not brought in, then it is possible that we could see these two together. The first question is who would play in the midfield next to Xhaka and who would play on the right-wing?

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Some would argue that Ramsey and Xhaka should be paired up. They have played together the most out of any midfield combo since the switch to the 3-4-3. This would mean Wilshere would be on the right-wing.

However, Wilshere and Xhaka should be paired up and Ramsey should be on the right-wing. First off, Ramsey often drifts behind the striker. He gets in great positions when he does this and creates opportunities.

Sometimes, though, he is caught out of position, like against Liverpool earlier this season. In this game, he was lined up in central midfield. If he was playing right-wing and was caught out of position it would not be as severe as being caught out in the midfield.

Wilshere, on the other hand, doesn’t get in these positions as much as Ramsey. Instead, he is pushing the ball through the center. He does make runs behind the striker but is never drifting outside of his position like Ramsey.

Due to these two players in excellent form, Wenger may not need to buy a direct replacement for Özil. Instead, they could focus on upgrading the defensive midfield position.

Change of formation to integrate

Although it is an enormous ask to change the formation just to have two players in the same team, it may lead to more success. Especially if Özil leaves. The formation that would be ideal for the two to play together in is a 4-1-4-1.

In this formation, Wilshere and Ramsey would be level as both would be central midfielders. Ramsey’s role would be to roam and get in good positions and Wilshere would stay central and look to link up and make killer through balls.

This formation gives them both cover below them in a defensive midfielder. Whether this player is Xhaka, Coquelin, Elneny, or a new signing in January like Fabinho, these two will be able to have more attacking freedom with this cover behind them.

Another advantage of this formation for Jack and Rambo is they will have pacey wingers to make runs. In the 3-4-3 usually, one player like Özil often drops deep and doesn’t make many runs.

That’s because teams usually have three midfielders. Arsenal are sometimes outnumbered here and Özil is forced to come deep to pick up the ball and help move it forward. Özil does this as well because he is a natural central attacking midfielder.

This affects Héctor Bellerín as well because instead of having a winger like Welbeck, who will stay wide, he does not really have someone to overlap and make runs. Due to this, Bellerín is forced to stay wide and support.

Super sub Jack Wilshere

Another highly possible scenario is Wilshere being used as a super sub in late game situations where Arsenal are pushing for a winner or crawling back for a draw. In these situations to get a more attacking flow, Wenger could switch to a 4-1-4-1 and bring on Jack.

With Wilshere making an impact in his one sub appearance in the League this year, it would make sense for Wenger to make Jack his priority sub when Arsenal need some creativeness in the midfield.

Create enough if Özil & Sánchez leave

If Alexis Sánchez leaves the Emirates in January, then the Gunners definitely need a world-class left winger. However, if Özil leaves then Jack and Rambo may have enough talent to fill Özil’s gap.

Before we can make a definite conclusion on whether or not a formation change is needed, or if these two could really work together over the course of a season, we need to see more of them together.

Next: 5 Things Learned Against Everton

One thing is for certain though, when they are both performing at the top of their games they become undroppable. If Wilshere steadily produces more and impresses in the Europa League and sub appearances in the League, and Ramsey keeps finding great positions to assist and score, then Wenger will have to find a way to integrate the two together.

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