Arsenal: Midfield needs a solution that isn’t Joe Willock

Arsenal’s midfield may be the most problematic area on the team, and it’s time to find a real solution, not a science experiment.

First off, let me start by saying that I’m just as enthused as the next guy that Joe Willock is hanging around and giving Arsenal a real shot at growing a midfield stalwart. He looked like a talented young man with one hell of a high ceiling.

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But that last thing I want to hear is, when the midfield comes into question, as it rightly should, Arsene Wenger saying “er, we signed Joe Willock…”

Willock is being given his chances and getting his game time and the process is well underway. But in the meantime, I’d have to say that this midfield is a major Achilles heel fort the Gunners. Not in the individual skill level, but in the partnership.

Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey are superb in their own corners, but there doesn’t seem to be a lot that ties them together. And I think that’s why Arsene Wenger is going to far as to explore the brand new DM Floater position, as I like to call it. That’s when the center back spot is manned by a midfielder who floats between defense and midfield.

This problem really has to be addressed by a real, here-and-now solution. And I actually have to commend Arsene Wenger if he is going to keep trying this DM Floater position because, if manned properly, by someone like an N’Golo Kante, it would be hugely effective.

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Francis Coquelin would have made the role effective if he could just figure out how to be more consistent in the passing lanes.

The thing is, I can’t imagine many midfield signings being too enthused about the idea of playing this role, but that’s total speculation on my part, because it’s not even a real thing yet.

In terms of real life solutions, it may be time to revert back to a 4-3-3 and allow the midfield an extra set of feet. For the most part, Arsenal have defended rather well this season, but given the extent of the injuries they have faced in defense, as well as the accompanying weakness of the midfield, wouldn’t it make more sense to bank on the strength of fewer defenders while simultaneously bolstering the biggest weakness on the pitch?

I am a huge fan of both Ramsey and Xhaka, but even I have to admit that it just doesn’t work. Nothing about that pairing does. Again, individually they are fantastic, but together, they don’t have what it takes.

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Wenger showed a willingness to change, as ridiculous as those changes were, so maybe the next change can address this problem. Ideally he won’t over-think it quite as much as he over-thought his starting XI before City.