Is it time for Arsenal to switch to a midfield diamond so Mesut Ozil can create more?

Can Ozil thrive in a midfield diamond?

So here we are with number 4 in the series ‘Spicing up the tank without breaking the bank’ that aims to consider alternative ways to improve Arsenal in 2015/16 outside of big signings. How Wenger with variety, imagination and using all this squad, can still surprise the opposition and keep them guessing with ever changing formations. How he might use the same troops but find differing ways to get behind enemy lines so to speak.

Having explored 2 variations on a 3 man back line in Parts 2 and 3, today, I am returning to a trusty four man conventional defence. So it is in the midfield and attack today that the spice will be sprinkled. Someone commented last time that they guessed I would come here next, because it is logical and probably also because it has been seen to work in the Premier League and for England.

Yes, folks, the formation for today is the traditional, although making a fashionable comeback in some quarters, is a 4-4-2 with a diamond midfield. I like this team set up for many reasons but here are a few:

• It is easily moved to during a game with the same players starting in Wenger’s usual 4231
• It fits with the fact that Arsenal are currently it seems not playing with great width and allows the fullbacks to provide it
• It allows one out and out deep midfielder to sit in front of the defence giving full licence to his 3 more creative and attacking colleagues
• It undoubtedly gives Ozil carte blanche to create, create and create with less defensive responsibility.

The midfield diamond

The Point of the diamond

So let’s elaborate and look at the key roles and who fits where or potentially who could fit where as our options are rich and numerous. In previous Wenger 4-4-2s the wide men were often converted central midfielders, Parlour, Ljungberg, Hleb and Rosicky so we can consider wide players on the flanks of the diamond of course but the diamond is a tad narrower and invites overlap from the fullbacks.

For this reason is we assume Coquelin would sit then the 3 obvious candidates are Wilshere, Cazorla and Ramsey, although I would personally be equally happy to see Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The Base of the diamond role made for Le Coq

I assume many would suggest Jack for the base if the diamond as he has played they so well for England and yes it is possible but I would far rather see an outright DM there than lose Wilshere’s attacking instincts. In fact, with Coquelin there it almost gives you the perfect symmetry behind Ozil with 2 options of the right and left of the diamond – Ox or Rambo on the right and Jack or Santi on the left.

In addition, we have the luxury of moving Cazorla to the head of the diamond on occasion to rest Mesut Ozil. If Mozart stays as I hope he will, this gives us the additional option of playing Rosicky in any 3 of the more advanced areas of the diamond and we have Arteta to cover Coquelin when required.

As I touched on earlier, another advantage of this system is that if we start a game as a 4-2-3-1 one of the wider players most notably Alexis could join the striker. For example if we lined up as we did at Wembley and Wenger decided to switch formations in a game Sanchez could have joined Walcott in a two and Ramsey right, Santi Left, Coq deep and Ozil would make the diamond with minimal fuss. No change in personnel but a significant tactical adjustment. I must say this appeals greatly, to me at least.

I think however that fundamental to the success of this formation is the full backs. Both will require tremendous engines and be willing to provide the width in the attack with a narrower midfield. We saw this deployed with great success by England earlier in the season with Baines and Clyne and have similarly seen the system falter without them.

For this reason, this system favours Gibbs on the left I suspect, whilst both Debuchy and Bellerin can alternate on the right. It is also why perhaps we suffered on the right as the Sagna of 2014 whilst a superior defender was not the rampaging dynamo of 2008. Conversely that favoured Walcott on the wing but that is an aside.

A formation for Gibbs to shine

Defensively a formation which requires attacking full backs might lead to the selection of Gabriel over Mertesacker but that is debatable and remains to be seen. Even with Coquelin sitting firmly in front of the partnership I certainly would feel more comfortable with more pace.

Any way I am aiming for these articles to be short and punchy and to cause a debate or two so I will leave you with the team showing the first choice and alternative. A you will see this set up truly illustrates our strength in dept and no mistake.

Diamond – First and Second XI

Hard to see how this would not make us a threat on the attack, on the break and hard to beat, with the easy metamorphosis into or from 4-2-3-1 with the same 11 a massive bonus.

If you missed them, where on earth have you been?