Arsenal: Central midfield tactical job number one for Freddie Ljungberg

Arsenal interim head coach Freddie Ljungberg has a lot of decisions to make. But chief among the tactical ones he must make is the structure of the central midfield, especially if and how he uses Lucas Torreira and Mesut Ozil.

There were plenty of tactical problems with Unai Emery and his management of the Arsenal team. His talk of ‘protagonists’ and ‘pressing’ were difficult to see, his cautious, overly-adaptive approach sapped any identity from the team, while there was a natural aversion to anyting remotely attacking.

Find the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal Podcast here — Emergency: Unai Emery sacked

But speaking more technically, perhaps the most frustrating element of his management, and in particular, his team selections, was his handling of the central midfield, both the overall strategy of the position and the misuse of certain individuals within the set-up.

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For interim head coach Freddie Ljungberg, how he handles the central midfield will be tactical job number one to decipher. Obviously, it is the heart of the team and the most important position. But it was also the area of the side that was most egregiously mismanaged by Emery.

Specifically, his use of ‘defensive midfielder’ Lucas Torreira was extremely frustrating, and curious, to say the least. Torreira is an all-action defender who snaps into challenges, makes interceptions, hares around the pitch with great energy and pace, but is a little limited in possession, lacking creativity and dribbling quality in attacking areas.

For some reason, Emery felt the best use of this player was in an attacking, box-to-box role. Torreira was often used as the most offensive individual in a midfield trio, tasked with breaking forwards and even getting into the opposing penalty area. If that sounds ood, that’s because it is.

Another player who has felt the wrath of Emery’s curiosities is Mesut Ozil. Whether the attacking midfielder deserves to be starting in a Premier League team is a debate worth having, but if Ljungberg wants to implement an expansive, offensive approach, Ozil might be the crucial piece of the puzzle.

The Swede did use an extremely intense high press when the under-23s head coach. This would demand a defensive approach from Ozil that he is too lazy to undertake. Whether be choice or inability, Ozil does not press effectively. It is why Emery did not want him, and it might well be the same for Ljungberg.

How Ljungberg manages Ozil will be extremely telling. It might be that he prioritises the German and builds the team aroud him. He might also banish the midfielder from the team in search of a more athletic, industrious replacement — this is especially possible given Ljungberg’s admiration for Joe Willock.

What comes of Ljungberg at Arsenal remains to be seen. Before Sunday, it is impossible to say which way he will lean. But how he handles the central midfield will be critical to his success. Let’s hope, then, he can do it more proficiently than the man he is replacing.