Arsenal: Aaron Ramsey clearly the midfield skeleton key

Arsenal finally allowed their midfield the flexibility that it needed and Aaron Ramsey is the skeleton key that ties it all together. Now, to build on it.

Arsenal, for the first time this season, deployed the midfield we were all so curious about. Granit Xhaka sat as the deepest of the three and Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere swarmed around him. The results were, in a word, exquisite.

We weren’t sure how it was going to work because of the clear lack of defensive talent there. But the logic behind having these three was that, with so much athleticism and determination flanking Xhaka, not only would he have more time and space, but his two midfield mates would be able to flex their talents in all three theaters of the game.

It was a midfield masterclass, despite the fact that I think Wilshere could have done much better. He made several mistakes with the ball in dangerous areas, but it never came back to bite us.

Other than that, he did what we asked of him – he was everywhere, utilizing his drive and athleticism to occupy space around Xhaka.

It was Ramsey and Xhaka that stole the show as a result, with Xhaka earning one of his first damn near unanimous “good games” from Gooners across social media. Still though, it was Ramsey who stole the show and really set the precedent for what this midfield needs to be successful.

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It’s important not to blow one match out of proportion. But this was a flying AC Milan at the San Siro and to me, the changes that the Gunners employed centered on this midfield and the all-purpose skeleton key that is Aaron Ramsey.

The Welshman was at times a left back, at times a No. 10. At times a striker and at times a winger. He was everywhere, and he did it all responsibly, which seems impossible. Only it’s not.

It makes me think what can happen if we match what Ramsey brought on that right hand side with an equal fore on the left hand side.

Wilshere floated between the left and a more central, No. 10 role, with Mesut Ozil filling the left side void at times too, but overall, it took two to three guys to match what Ramsey was able to do on his side of the pitch.

With a midfielder like Ramsey, who can do everything and happily does so, the players around him have less responsibilities and more freedom, which we saw against Milan. Hence my use of the ‘skeleton key.’

Next: 5 Things Learned Against AC Milan

This is the midfield that should be used going forward. Now the question is how to build on it and make it even better.

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