Should Diaby or Arteta anchor the Arsenal midfield?

60 second pundit

24Aug

Should Diaby or Arteta anchor the Arsenal midfield?

Despite the excitement over the forward play likely to be on show at the Emirates this season following the signings of Santi Cazorla, Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud, there is still a nagging concern about who will play the defensive midfield role at Arsenal. Although not a specialist, Alex Song had been doing a decent job before he departed to Barcelona. In the absence of a specialist, the Daily Mirror’s John Cross expects Arsène Wenger to play Abou Diaby [pictured] either on his own or with Mikel Arteta in front of the defence. But he doubts this is ideal, especially with what is likely to be a highly physical clash with Stoke to come on Sunday.

“This is the midfield worry for me,” say John. I do think Diaby is probably seen at the moment as the most likely person to anchor that midfield. Maybe Wenger sees the opportunity to play two deeper lying players, so you’ve got Diaby and Arteta. I think Arteta was one of Arsenal’s best players last season, he had a magnificent season. But he’s not your classic anchorman in that midfield, although he certainly does a job there.

“We’ll know a lot more about this team, the spirit and whether it’s physically strong enough, whether their dynamism is stronger than opposing teams [after the Stoke game]. I do think it’ll be an acid test for this Arsenal team.”

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http://twitter.com/Nick_Halen Nikhil Baskaran

Arteta for me…Diaby can a sub for Cazorla or Wilshire…our best midfield is Cazarlo, Wilshire and Arteta
Rendy

Not Diaby, Arteta for sure.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1559941813 Matt Peaty

Both…simple pendulum defending
Dave

Neither for me…. Diaby because he lacks the ability to read the game. As Arsenal play with full backs pushing on Arteta does not have the pace to cover the ground quickly enough when a break is on. Arsenal need someone with the ability to not only read the game well but also with genuine pace to cut out the danger when teams break on us.
True gunner

Johan Djourou can do a job there, think he’s good enough
victor

Diaby is not good at all, Wenger just like the guy why
victor

Wenger dont no what he is doing
Alvares

Arteta is steel in midfield Diaby is injury prone cantr do much
Sam

Diaby isnt good enough to play for Arsenal at all, he’s crap. He always gives the ball away, he may as well be playing for the other side. You know if Diabys in the team you may as well be playing with 10 men.
Jerry Steve Dave the Magic Man

I would like to see Coquelin play in front of the defense with Arteta rather than Diaby. He has pace, steel and can distribute well enough to fit into the attacking scheme.
fds

if oxlade chamberlain can be transformed by wenger into a midfielder it should be him and wilshere in those spots with diaby filling in. arteta is shit. he does nothing but hold up the ball and makes easy passes. and from the games ive seen him in he usually only makes 1 tackle a game

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