Midfield General: The Gooner Perspective

A lot of people tend to forget that the spine of Arsene Wenger's best teams have been his style of playing two central midfielders with the exceptional abilities of ball-holding, clean tackling and efficient ability of passing.

Most of the reference has been made to Patrick Viera, but in defying contrast i have to make mention of the presence of Giles Grimandi, Emmanuel Petit, Ray Parlour, Edu and most recently Gilberto Silva.

These players where so box to box you hardly noticed them. Of these lot, I continue to duff my hat for the particular talent displayed by Petit and the highlight of his partnership with Viera was in the final game of the 1998 world cup in France.

The last goal of the competition comes to my mind and the beauty of the move leading to the goal is everlasting in my memory.

It must be noted thought, that even with those partnerships in midfield, and others across the pitch in Wenger's glory years, he didn't make it to the Semi-final or Final stages of different champions league competitions, something that happened more regularly in the past three season.

I am not making a case for Wenger, but I am trying to look at the many reasons why things have not worked out for the Brilliant Frenchman, especially taking into consideration the most flagrant reasons pushed to the fore by his critics, primarily the case of signing an experienced defensive midfielder.

I already think it is a wrong assumption to say that is why no trophy has come to the Emirates, but I agree that Wenger needs another proper player, not personality in the mould of mega-millions.

I say so given how quick Cesc Fabregas has transformed from what the press called a soft young-ling to a combative Central Midfielder who still retains his amazing ability, something that would come good if Wenger finds another of such player,maybe without the most striking similarity as Fab4's passing.

Experience they say is it, but for me it is proper that counts, as is the case with Flamini.

People tend to forget that a couple of months to the beginning of his best season in Arsenal colours, he was asked to look for a club, as he had failed to measure up in that position and was used in other positions across the pitch.

To say he was experienced is an overstatement, because he was not, but it did not take away the fact that he turned to a fantastic player in his last year.

Indeed, it is difficult to pick out such a mammoth of a player, and when you do he is so tied to his club you might have to sell the club to acquire the services such a player, for example, Daniel DeRossi fits the bill.

But you will have to take an African Voodoo priest to Rome, to make everyone in Italy lose their senses, get signatures,get on a private jet and into the Emirates in all but one second.

Another example would be to ask Villarreal to sell Spain's pride in the case of Marco Senna for anything less than the value of a priceless diamond. Did I hear someone mention Masherano of Cambiasso? I thought so, but these two would win the ball and most probably give it back to the guy they collected it from.

Though I am not saying these two battling midfield cronies are bad, but the passing efficiency is very important to the Gunners play. There are murmurs of Xabi Alonso, but he is not the best in defensive positions and they talked about Gohkan Inler all preseason, but in truth, he has been a shade of his first season this year.

Would you say, there is no alternative? No!!! I would look to suggest a couple of names and i do so after a comprehensive search, but as we all know i cant know it all, so here we go and there is always a catch to each.

Felipe Melo: He is Brazilian and neat on the ball, something that would bring back Gilberto Silva memory to you. Plus if you consider that Arsene Wenger has tried to have the Brazilian Flair and neatness over the years, he would make all the proper sense.

He is a efficiently good from box to box, his marking is Macherano like, the type that is referred to in Football Manager as " He is so good, opponents leave the pitch asking did I play today"?

A measure shot and comfortable using both feet, his energy level is admirable. You can say he is experienced as, he has been putting up good performances for both club and country.

Fiorentina's midfield general would fit the bill perfectly and although he won't come cheap or easy, this being because of the fact that he just joined the team only last season.

Lee Catermole: Please! Please! Just before you begin to think twice, i urge you to watch this bull of a player.

His tenacity is unmatched in the league and his ability to pick off his man in a game and make you probably ask if he was on the pitch sometime about the 75th minute is definitely a plus, to be more exact, another look at the game at the JJB stadium last night against Manchester United, and the fact that I failed to notice Paul Scholes 'til the end of the game is testament to this observation.

He is the reason why, most games his team play against big teams have been tight, but as usual one man does not make a team. He displays guts, only coming second to Wayne Rooney in that department and spirit is not lacking on his C.V. He would be the protector in chief of both the back four and Fabregas.

His shooting would complement the attack and he runs from end to end sort of like Gerrard and he is neat with his passing, plus shows good ambition going forward. Now, here is the catch, he is English and won't we all love that extra number of homegrown in there!!!

Blaise Matuidi: French!!! Yes, French!!! But who else would get the best out of a french youngster with this boys talent and spirit. He is tough-tackling and just like the above named players a box to box player. He is not lacking in passing ability and might come at the most affordable price of all mentioned.

Now, something tells me that whoever reads this would ask, why no Yaya Toure? It is so, because we all know he would fit the bill most perfectly and it might just take him winning the treble for Barcelona this season, for them and even himself to think it is not a bad idea to change environment and play with my older brother.

Some other names like Mathieu Bodmer and Jean Makoun won't sound out of context, all that required is someone with both guts and brains, and the ability to take the game by the scruff, yet have the basic of measure of composure when the going gets tough.