Arsenal yearn for the drive of Alex Song
- Midfield rotation allows Song to get forward
- Ramsey gets closer to van Persie in second-half
- Win displays much needed improvements after stumbling start to season
There were times in the last two seasons when watching Arsenal that Tony Adams thought, “Thank God for Alex Song.” Because for all of Arsenal’s enthusiasm going forward, there was always one man back to cover for the team’s vagaries and that was Song. In recent campaigns, Song has grown into the role, playing with an urgency and intelligence that it’s not an understatement to say The Gunners wouldn’t be ass effective if it wasn’t for his input. Despite his physique, though, it’s not the battling qualities that make Song an indispensable fixture of their side; it’s his urgency and “get and give” attitude that Arséne Wenger so dearly values. Against Bolton Wanderers, it was those qualities that shone the most but this time he was an asset higher up the pitch.
Song scored the final goal of the match to make it 3-0 and he was constantly found in the final third trying to give direction to Arsenal’s game as Bolton Wanderers, for the majority of the match, camped in their own half. (Song attempted 28 passes in the attacking third, three more than Aaron Ramsey). There’s no doubt that this was a considerably weaker Bolton side than Arsenal would normally have faced but Owen Coyle made his intentions perfectly clear with his line up; to sit back and attack Arsenal with speed on the turnover. In that respect, The Gunners were much better here than they have been this season, stopping Bolton breaking forward through defence by keep-ball. Every time Bolton tried to spring a counter-attack, Arsenal had enough men back. As we will talk about, it’s not just in attack the central midfield rotated well – the trio delegated responsibility accordingly for at least one to stay back showing the holding role need not to be fixed. (Ramsey’s tracking back was noticeably much improved).
It’s probably the greatest indication that the central midfield is finding is rhythm because it was the partnership between Jack Wilshere and Alex Song that worked so well last season that ensured Arsenal played some of their best football in an (otherwise largely) forgetful last two seasons. This time, however, it’s not a two and Cesc Fábregas as it was last season – that’s probably understandable as it would be mightily difficult to replace Fábregas directly – but as a trio, taking turns to engage the space the other team-mate has vacated. (As a result, the average touch positions might show Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey almost playing on top of each other but the way they swap roles, it’s statistically harder to depict in a simple diagram).
With Bolton defending deep, Song’s drive was useful in helping Arsenal break them down. And although he didn’t score until the side’s third, his idea to get close to Robin van Persie was the right one. The Dutchman hasn’t had the same effect with his movement this season and he has stated that the new personnel – particularly out wide, where Arsenal are trying to get the ball more to - have seen him play more orthodox. It’s that balance between dropping deep and staying close to the goal which he has to get right because Arséne Wenger would like to get the ball in behind more but a fluent link between midfield and attack is stopping that. It was almost the problem for Arsenal in the first-half until Wenger instructed Ramsey to get closer to van Persie after the break and it was his pass that led to the opener. Arsenal’s play became more dynamic and when David Wheater was dismissed, the space opened for the strikers to get in the act. Gervinho and Walcott grew in influence as the ten men of Bolton were unable to shackle Arsenal on the flanks through tight marking as they did in the first. Van Persie nudged in the second expertly before Song wrapped up the win.
Wenger has adjusted the formation in the last two games to a 4-2-3-1 and it clearly suits Ramsey more. He is still adjusting to playing with his back to goal and indeed, at times he did look uncomfortable in doing so, but the system allows better fluidity than the 4-3-3 did and it gives him more freedom to get on the ball. There’s still a belief that Arsenal need a number 10 or at least, someone to get close to van Persie as Ramsey did halfway through. In that regards, the 4-2-3-1 has worked better than the 4-3-3 because there’s less pressure on one of the midfielders to take the initiative higher up. Both Ramsey and Arteta like to pick the ball up from deep and that has meant Arsenal are able to circulate the ball better early on in the build up – and – it possibly offers Arsenal a solution to a slight weakness to their game and that is opponents pressing aggressively. On the other hand, Arsenal’s pressing was much improved although being on the front foot for nearly all of the game, it was a must that they closed down quickly to stop counter-attacks. The proof will be when teams hold the ball much longer in midfield and if Arsenal press more intensely early on.
Slowly Arsenal are making the improvements that is needed following the departure of Fábregas and that expected time-period needed to adjust. They won’t replace their former captain directly, though, but through a holistic route which suits the players better. And with Robin van Persie also finding the net, this win - albeit against a poor Bolton side – was a massive step in the right direction.
Arsenal 3-0 Bolton Wanderers: van Persie 46, van Persie 71, Song 89
<Figure 1>[Click to Enlarge] Where Arsenal’s midfielders received the ball: Aaron Ramsey’s tendencies to drop deep are displayed by contrast between the areas which he was passed the ball; Song pushed up higher while Arteta assumed a disributor role.
Filed under: Match Analysis
Tagged: Match Analysis, Song
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Great Analysis.. people underestimate Song’s contribution to arsenal’s game.
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Good read brain.i’ve waited for this article for a while now.it was interesting to note that song seems to have improved his passing which was showed as he displayed in the game.id also like to ask if wenger is moulding Arteta into a schweinsteiger/pirlo role as a deep playmaker with song ahead of him similar to how the aforementioned duo coordinate(d) with khedira/Gatusso slightly ahead?if thats the case then we are going to play the German 4-2-3-1.what we now need is someone to fill the özil role.jack is out for months which leaves ramsey/rosicky/diaby.both have their strengths and weaknesses with rosicky/diaby more skilfull.ramsey on the other hand has a great engine and good shooting ability.what do you think will happen when all 3 are fit and raring to go?…PS i’ve excluded AA since it seems highly unlikely that he’ll play there.
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Tee Song Reply:
September 27th, 2011 at 4:59 am
@K-TR7, It seems to me that while the formation is functionally 4-2-3-1, all three midfielders are sharing the creative role. If you look at average position and passing charts, Ramsey, Arteta, and Song are almost identical.
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I agree that the midfield played well and they seem to be finding their rhythm after an uncertain start. They provided creativity, a goal threat, and pressed well when possession was lost. Without Cesc, the roles seem more fluid and less well defined, not unexpectedly as you point out since no single player can fill the creative void left by his departure. It’s encouraging that each player seemed both willing and able to provide attacking impetus while his compatriots rotated deeper to provide defensive coverage.
I’ve noticed a couple of differences in the attack which seem to be adjustments in how we play. Firstly, both in this game and against Blackburn the key pass has come from deeper in the midfield. Against Bolton, Ramsey released Theo via a one two from almost the halfway line in the buildup to our second goal and he again released Sagna in the buildup for the third goal from a relatively deep position. Against Blackburn, Song’s assist to Gervhino and his pass to Ramsey in the buildup to Arteta’s goal were also from relatively deep positions. Arteta, Ramsey, and Song have created numerous chances with relatively longer passes into the channels or flanks. It probably reflects an intention to be a little more direct in our approach and is most welcome.
Often in the last few seasons the team seems to have wanted to compress the attack into the space just outside the penalty area. I’ve often thought that keeping the ball deeper and forcing the defense to move out of the penalty area would open up space to exploit. I wonder if the desire for Cesc to be the creative hub and his positioning close to the penalty area inhibited our deeper midfielders from attempting to initiate attacks since their primary focus was on safety and feeding Cesc. Now that the creative burden is being shared amongst all three midfielders perhaps it frees them not only to position themselves higher but also to initiate attacks from deeper positions.
Finally, the continuing evolution of Alex Song is a wonderful testament to both the player and Wenger’s ability to spot and nurture talent. Four seasons ago, my highest hope for Song was as a backup central defender. I was highly skeptical when he was handed the defensive midfield role but he made that position his own. Last year, I was a little leery of his newfound desire to move forward. Against Blackburn, he showed some things which I would never have imagined. He played a great little one touch pass to Gervhino which any creative midfielder would’ve been proud of which was unfortunately wasted by Gervhino’s heavy touch. And his goal was really well taken but required a little work, shaping to shoot with the left and then shifting and opening up space for a right footed curler.
At the end of the day, this was a step in the right direction. As you rightly point out, there will be sterner tests in the future.
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Arsenal Column Reply:
September 27th, 2011 at 5:02 pm
@Tee Song,
Great observations. It’s an interesting point you make about where the assists have come from; is it deeper because there isn’t a fixed creator as Cesc Fábregas was or does Ramsey’s and Arteta’s tendencies to want to start deep see that happening more?
I tend to agree with your view that moving the ball around can move the opposition defence and midfield around. I remember after the 1-0 win over Manchester United (and to a lesser extent, the ultimately doomed first-half 4-4 against Newcastle) where I wrote the rotation gave the players an “ambiguity” making it harder to mark. As it was, it was Ramsey who got the goal, dropping deep and getting on the end of a ball from van Persie after a good run.
Is it purposeful though? I think it is – partly – but that’s just one facet of the rotating midfield. The other, which we haven’t got right consistently yet this season, is someone getting close to van Persie. The wide forwards generally tend to play higher and that has created a gap between the two. As you conclude, the tougher tests are still to come but the signs were positive here.
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i have to disagree a little bit with this, because it’s ok against Bolton to have a fluid 3 in midfield interchanging positions, but i think there needs to be a bit more structure in place, especially against the better teams. I think Song needs to control his urges forward a bit more and allow Ramsey and Arteta to play a bit higher up the pitch. I’m not saying Song can’t play there but our biggest problem in the past hasn’t been keeping hold of the ball, it’s been the ‘what if’ question……as in: what if this attack breaks down and the opposition get a fast break against us? it’s in these situations that we need Song as an extra defender, not caught on the edge of the opposition box. So whilst i agree that he CAN play higher up the pitch, i’d rather he sorted out his positioning against the top teams first.
Also the other thing is that i’m yet to be convinced that his ball circulation is quick enough at times, he often looks lost when the game is played at speed against the top teams, (for example he looked like a lost little boy against Barcelona) I wish he’d play one-touch a bit more often.
The other issue i have is that when Song pushes forward with the other 2 in midfield it gives us more bodies going forward but it affects the ability of the fullbacks to get higher and wider (thus pushing gervinho and Walcott narrower). This doesn’t happen when Song puches forward because there is a lack of cover at the back, and one of the fullbacks needs to stay and not go forward, which in turn means that (usually) Walcott’s start position is wider when we’d benefit if he was closer to goal.
Therefore for tactical reasons i suggest Song drops back into the back four more than he pushes forward to the opposition box, (but i’m also happy if he occasionally arrives late into the attack to provide a third man run……..assuming there’s cover at the back)
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Arsenal Column Reply:
September 27th, 2011 at 5:07 pm
@david seago,
I think there naturally will be more structure in “bigger” games as the players try to be more disciplined but in some ways your concerns may have some basis; Arsenal midfield troubles have come because a lack of structure. But at the same time, failing to get an understanding – expected, due to the little time they’ve played together – has also been a problem.
But I understand your point; trying to play a fluid game in the “big” matches may not in the way they want it therefore, they’ll have to play more intelligently.
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david seago Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 8:47 am
@Arsenal Column,
you are right that they haven’t played together for very long, and i think a more ‘organic’ will be formed the more they play together, they will, of course, come more comfortable with each others games.
It does say to me though that our ‘creative’ central midfielders (at the moment Arteta and Ramsey) aren’t taking the responsibility they should maybe to play a little further up the pitch. Then again, maybe (as David Frimpong says below) he wants a completley interchangable fluid midfield 3.
Lets put it this way, i have cursed our midfield in the past for risking too much against the top teams. if we concede a goal on the break against Spurs at the weekend when Song is on the edge of the oppisition box, i’m going to……………….well i’m not going to be happy.
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Arsenal wenger has to be the most evolutionary man to ever coach a team, his vision of rotational 3 midfielders who are able to do it all…will possibly be the next stage of football, but I still feel arsenal are missing a player with skill who knows how to get on the ball in AM position who has pace skill and can play a killer pass….riquelme/iniesta
I never really liked fabregas in that position, watching barca against Valencia last week you noticed how much they missed iniesta…its for the reason I think wilshire should play behind the strikers as the furthest of the three and sign tarabat/Diego as well for rotation
Having a player like this means we don’t have to risk song pushing forward so much to help drag the opposition out if their pack defensive positions
Therefore a midfield six of song/coq, ramsey/arteta, jack wilshire/tarabat …… players who will attack with vision and pace but will also defend from the front
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