Arsenal: Is archaic Arsene becoming relevant again?

Might an Arsenal team built around five central midfielders, with similar abilities and tendencies, prove to be Arsene Wenger’s ultimate masterstroke?

In recent years, Arsenal’s lack of success has been widely criticized for playing out-of-date football. The once dazzling, intricate style no longer works against lower table teams willing to play the defensive-oriented “anti-football”. The general consensus was the game moved on and left manager Arsene Wenger behind.

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However recent transfer dealings, personnel selections, and tactics suggest Wenger’s philosophy may get another chance to shine. Last weekend’s performance against Crystal Palace featured a team comprised of five central midfielders. But unlike similar selections in year’s past, when two of the five central midfielders would be exiled to the wing and spend the entire game fighting the urge to drift in, all five were allowed to play to their strengths.

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Mohammed Elneny sat the deepest of the five midfielders, while Jack Wilshere and Granit Xhaka had slightly more defensive responsibility than Alex Iwobi or Mesut Ozil. Other than that, all five players were allowed to move fluidly, rotating off one another in a sophisticated manner that provided penetration and balance.

This appears to be the most complementary system for the largest number of players in the squad. Those players, mostly central midfielders, also happen to be the best players in the squad. After landing Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and the imminent return of Aaron Ramsey, this style only becomes more fitting.

Furthermore, Arsenal don’t have any experienced wingers or defensive midfielders in the side. So rather than playing inexperienced players in these roles, or forcing experienced players into unfamiliar roles, Wenger appears to be building a team and system where the best players are played where they are most suited.

While Wenger’s preferred style of play has never been in question, he may not have had all the pieces to put it together. Not necessarily in terms of the squad, but rather the know-how on his end to make it work. But, perhaps he’s picked up a few tricks from opposing managers to show him the way to play such a fluid system.

Naturally, it is unconventional, and perhaps worrisome, to play without a true defensive midfielder or winger. But it is not unheard of. While Manchester City and Liverpool do have traditional wingers, neither play with a recognized holding midfielder. Granted, Fernandinho has grown into his role remarkably well, but he still fits the bill as a box-to-box midfielder, not an out-and-out anchor.

Barcelona, similarly, played without true wingers in their hay-day. A staple of their play was how Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi drifted in from their respective wings to overload the central areas. Or look at the success Philippe Coutinho had as an unconventional left winger at Liverpool. It’s as if the game has finally come around to Wenger’s way of seeing it, and his seemingly defunct way of thinking has found it’s time.

Next: Arsenal Vs Chelsea: Predicted starting XI

Maybe, after all these years Wenger has finally assembled a squad with the talent and, more importantly, the intelligence to play the penultimate, fluid, attacking system he’s been envisioning all along. For now, only time will tell. After all, it was just one game. But the early signs of prosperity are most certainly there.