Arsenal: Front three is nothing without Aaron Ramsey’s fourth

Arsenal’s trifecta was the focal point yet again against Huddersfield Town, but Aaron Ramsey’s continued influence makes it obsolete already.

Arsenal’s triple-threat up front was at it’s best yet again, although with Alexandre Lacazette‘s half-time removal due to injury, it was left to Olivier Giroud to carry on the duties of spear-point and he did it quite capable.

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Still, it begs to be mentioned that this trifecta of attacking brilliance that everyone seems to think Arsenal’s attack hinges on is just a piece of the diamond.

When Arsenal have deployed Lacazette, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez together from the start, they are undefeated. Four wins, a 5-2 against Everton, 2-1 against Swansea, 2-0 over Tottenham and 5-0 over Huddersfield.

Seems pretty conclusive. The difference maker must be the trifecta.

But it’s not. This attack, this entire success story, isn’t just about those front three. It’s about Aaron Ramsey just as much. Each piece of that diamond comprises 25% of the overall picture. This should have been obvious from the start, but the star power of our fabulous front three may have skewed the lines a bit.

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Ramsey has been the only person who can hold a candle to Nacho Monreal as player of the season thus far. There is a two-way tie in the Gunner’s ranks for most contributions to goal at eight. Lacazette and Ramsey are tied. Alexis has six. Ozil has seven.

Ramsey has been the key. The trifecta is great. The diamond is unstoppable. And I think what makes it truly special is what Ramsey is consistently doing even without the eight contributions to goal. He is third on the team in tackles won, behind just Mustafi and Monreal. He’s second on the team in dribbles completed, behind just Alexis. He’s third on the team in chances created, behind just Alexis and Ozil.

This is a special season for Super Rambo, a true return to his elite stages. So to continue to harp about the trifecta up front without taking into account the absolute elite contributions from Ramsey is almost disrespectful to what he has been able to do. Because I’d wager that without the base of that diamond, the front three would not be nearly as effective.

Consider the Huddersfield match. Ramsey nabbed two assist, but he also had major contributions in at least one other assist, as it was him that set up Ozil, who assisted Alexis.

Next: Arsenal vs Huddersfield Town Player Ratings

Ramsey is a superstar. He is elite. He is every bit as crucial to this team as anyone else you want to count on.