It seems that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is facing a selection dilemma in midfield. The club has made significant investments in the summer transfer window, bringing in Declan Rice and Kai Havertz to strengthen their midfield options. Rice has been anchoring the midfield, while Havertz has been playing on the left-hand side of the midfield three. Both players have been performing well and seem to be automatic choices for Arteta.
The third midfield spot has been occupied by Martin Odegaard, who was a standout player for Arsenal last season. Odegaard had a great impact, scoring 15 goals and providing seven assists in the Premier League. He has also started the current season impressively, including scoring the winning goal against Crystal Palace. However, Fabio Vieira, a summer signing, has shown great potential in his limited playing time. In a recent match against Fulham, Vieira had an excellent cameo appearance, contributing with dribbles, passes, and key moments in the game.
Arteta has acknowledged Vieira’s performance and expressed his satisfaction with the player’s ability to create chances and make an impact. The manager has taken responsibility for not giving Vieira more playing time and stated that the player has given him reasons to consider selecting him more often.
While Vieira may not offer the same qualities as Rice or Havertz, he seems to possess similar attributes to Odegaard and can contribute to the team in a similar way. This raises the question of whether Arteta would be willing to bench Odegaard, who is also the club captain, in favor of giving Vieira more minutes. Ultimately, Arteta’s decision should be based on what benefits the team the most.
Certainly! The situation presents an interesting challenge for Mikel Arteta at Arsenal. Let’s delve deeper into the potential selection dilemma and the players involved.
- Martin Odegaard: Odegaard joined Arsenal on loan from Real Madrid during the 2020-2021 season and made a significant impact. He showcased his technical ability, vision, and creativity in the midfield, contributing with goals and assists. Odegaard’s performances earned him the captaincy for the current season, highlighting his importance to the team.
- Declan Rice: Rice is a highly regarded defensive midfielder who has been linked with a move to Arsenal in recent times. Known for his strong tackling, positional awareness, and ability to break up opposition attacks, Rice would provide stability and protection to Arsenal’s defense. His presence would allow the attacking players more freedom to push forward.
- Kai Havertz: Havertz is an attacking midfielder who joined Arsenal from Chelsea. Although he has been used on the left side of the midfield three, it’s worth noting that his natural position is more advanced. Havertz is known for his technical skills, versatility, and ability to make intelligent runs into the box. While he may not have found his scoring touch yet, his contributions in terms of link-up play and overall involvement have been positive.
- Fabio Vieira: Vieira seems to have made a strong impression in limited playing time. While he may not offer the same defensive qualities as Rice or the attacking prowess of ‘Havertz’, Vieira seems to possess similar attributes to Odegaard in terms of creativity and playmaking ability. His ability to create chances and make an impact in the final third has caught Arteta’s attention.
- Emile Smith Rowe: He is a versatile player who has predominantly been utilized as an attacking midfielder during his time at Arsenal. He is known for his technical ability, close control, and creativity in the final third. However, he has also showcased the ability to operate in other midfield positions. While Smith Rowe excels in an advanced playmaking role, where he can link up with the forwards and create scoring opportunities, he has occasionally been deployed in a deeper midfield position. Playing in a more central or box-to-box role allows him to contribute defensively, showcase his work rate, and utilize his passing range to initiate attacks from deeper positions on the field. Smith Rowe’s tactical flexibility and footballing intelligence make him a valuable asset for Mikel Arteta. His ability to drift wide and operate in the half-spaces also provides Arsenal with additional options in their attacking play. It’s worth noting that the specific role and position Smith Rowe plays can vary based on the team’s formation, the opposition, and the tactical instructions given by the manager. Arteta may choose to experiment with Smith Rowe’s position and role in different matches to maximize his impact and adapt to the team’s needs.
In such a situation, Arteta will have to consider various factors when making his selection decisions. He will analyze the tactical requirements of each game, the form and fitness of the players, and the balance of the team. Additionally, Arteta will need to manage the egos and expectations of the players involved, including Odegaard, who is the captain.
Ultimately, Arteta’s primary goal is to field a team that maximizes the chances of success for Arsenal. If Vieira continues to impress and offers a different dimension to the team’s play, Arteta may opt to rotate his midfield options or find alternative positions for certain players. Flexibility and adaptability will be key for Arteta to manage his midfield resources effectively.
