Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger Has a Choice to Make over Aaron Ramsey

This season, Aaron Ramsey has not often replicated the scintillating form that he produced consistently as Arsenal's top player during the 2013-14 season. But over the weekend, as the Gunners claimed a 1-1 draw at Manchester United, it was no coincidence that the away side's best spell coincided with Ramsey's move from the right flank into the heart of midfield.

Playing in his preferred central role, Ramsey provided the spark that led to Arsenal's equalizer in the 82nd minute. With a precise, angled pass over the top of United's defense, Ramsey gave Theo Walcott the time and space he needed to work on the right flank. Walcott subsequently sent a deflected cross off Tyler Blackett and into the back of the net.

With that, Arsenal picked up a precious point—and Ramsey gave manager Arsene Wenger cause for potentially deep thought.

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In recent weeks, Wenger has deployed Ramsey on the right side of Arsenal's midfield. In short, this means Wenger is playing Ramsey out of position. That might seem absurd, considering the 24-year-old Ramsey is one of the Gunners' most talented players and a key piece of Wenger's future plans. But it does make sense in the context of Santi Cazorla's fine season.

Cazorla, a crafty, 30-year-old veteran, has enjoyed an excellent season playing a deeper (for him), central role in Arsenal's midfield. Outstanding touch, vision and passing make the diminutive Spaniard a classy presence in the middle of the park. This season has been Cazorla's best in north London, and when asked whether the Spaniard would remain in his customary central role, Wenger was unequivocal, as reported by Anthony Chapman at the Daily Express:

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He’s a model to watch because he’s specifically a player for the Premier League. He’s very intelligent, and it shows as well how important it is to be left and right-footed in midfield.

He’s a good example of how to educate young players in midfield. Yes for sure (he will remain in a central role). He’s got to an age where he has experience and out on the flanks it’s more difficult for him. His technical quality, vision and experience is very important in the centre.

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Those words might mean a bit of a problem for the longtime Arsenal manager. With Francis Coquelin holding the defensive midfield slot and Mesut Ozil generally playing his best in the No. 10 hole, only one spot remains in central midfield if Wenger continues to use his current tactics. Ramsey excelled in that role against Manchester United on Sunday, but he only had the opportunity to play there after Wenger removed the ineffective Cazorla.

Cazorla won't always be ineffective, of course, but against Manchester United, Arsenal badly needed Ramsey's all-action style. Once he was allowed to play centrally, Ramsey made the difference. So the question becomes how Wenger can accommodate all of his midfield options.

Calling Ramsey "probably Arsenal's best central midfield player, Andrew Mangan noted at ESPN FC:

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What the last two games have also shown is that Wenger needs to think carefully about the use of Aaron Ramsey on the right hand side of his midfield. He's out there because he's too good to leave on the bench, and his energy allows him to provide the right kind of cover for the full-back.

The outstanding form of Santi Cazorla means he's playing in the position the Welshman would usually occupy, but the Spanish international looked off the pace against United and also found it difficult to pull the creative strings against Swansea in the previous game.

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Mangan went on to write that dropping Cazorla would be "harsh," based on the Spaniard's good form this season. That makes sense, but Wenger will indeed have to be circumspect when considering his options at the end of the season.

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Ramsey is six years younger than Cazorla, which makes the Welshman a better long-term option around which Wenger can build his midfield. At 30, Cazorla might have reached his peak already, and although he has played very well this season, Wenger might entertain the idea of selling him for the right price. Atletico Madrid have expressed interest, per the Daily Mirror, and rumors persist that Cazorla would like to return to Spain.

It would be a mistake to suggest in any way that Cazorla is unworthy of his place in central midfield. On the contrary, he has excelled for large stretches of the season, earning his place in the middle ahead of Ramsey. But as Sunday showed, that will not always be the case.

Ramsey, who is much younger and possesses the requisite abilities, appears to be the long-term solution in central midfield. At some point, Wenger will have to decide when it is no longer feasible to shunt Ramsey off to the flank as opposed to playing him in his best position.

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