Analysis: Why Santiago Cazorla is Arsenal’s answer to firepower frailty

With an armoury of gifted midfielders, but a clear lack of top quality strikers, should Arsenal consider adopting the midfield loaded, false nine formation?

So far Arsenal have managed to stay top of the league, with just Olivier Giroud and Niklas Bendtner as the clubs only senior, recognised centre forwards. When the games get tougher and more frequent in February, Arsenal may need to try out the false nine formation. Following the festive period, Arsenal verged on failing to have a single striker match-fit and, should he still be short on strikers and keen to offer Giroud a break at any point, may wish to opt for such tactic.

But could Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla, Tomas Rosicky, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Serge Gnabry or Jack Wilshere play in the false nine position?

This formation has been used by the likes of the Spanish National Team and Barcelona, with Cesc Fabregas often occupying the key position. The player must have a good understanding of the game, good movement and very good link up play. The false nine must feed the wingers and allow the rest of the midfield to get forward.

It is for those reasons that Santi Cazorla seems the most suitable candidate. He’s been shifted out wide, but loves to come inside and can score with either foot. His unpredictability would make him very useful in that position. Brilliant at keeping the ball in tight spaces, Santi could hold the ball up much better than many think, and his link-up play cannot be doubted.

Despite going through something of a goal drought recently, Cazorla showed his ability in front of goal with a brace against Fulham at the weekend, and also netted recently against Tottenham in the FA Cup. Capable of feeding either winger or turning onto either foot, Cazorla’s ambidextrous abilities would make him very dangerous in such an advanced position. Ozil can also play in this position, his movement creates plenty of space for others, but there are question marks about whether his unselfish nature would hamper him in such a position. But with attacking wingers and runners from deeper in the midfield, is it the false nine’s responsibility to score goals? Not entirely. It could work.

The negatives of this formation are that there can be a lack of players running behind the defence. With Walcott out for the season, this could be an issue. However, with Aaron Ramsey returning and Serge Gnabry on form, these types of players who love to get forward are at Arsene’s disposal.

It is unlike Arsene to tweak his formation during a season, but with Flamini’s introduction showing he is willing to occasionally play 4-1-4-1, perhaps we are seeing a more flexible Arsene Wenger this season. If Arsenal cannot get their hands on a forward in the January transfer window, they may be forced to use this formation later in the season.