Arsenal FC: Five Internal Replacements for Cesc Fabregas
Cesc Fabregas is the heartbeat of Arsenal. Blessed with extraordinary vision and creative instincts, he is justifiably considered the crown jewel of Arsene Wenger’s youth movement. Wenger has designed his team’s style and structure to match the talents of Fabregas.
In Wenger’s 4-2-3-1 base, Fabregas is the focal point of the attacking trio playing behind lone striker Robin Van Persie. Players possessing similar attributes have been forced out of their comfort zones to accommodate Fabregas as the orchestrator of Arsenal’s attacking play.
Arsenal has struggled to hold on to their world class talisman amidst a painful trophy drought. Following a sixth successive barren campaign, the chances of Cesc Fabregas departing the Emirates have only increased. Barcelona continues to circle. If the price is right, Arsenal may finally relent.
If Fabregas leaves, the dilemma for Arsenal would be what to do with the key position in their formation. Many big money transfer targets have been suggested to continue in the same vein.
Here are five alternatives to fill the advance midfield role already in the first team squad.
These players are not offered as Fabregas style substitutes. They are considered based on the particular skills they could bring to the position and the effect their promotion would have upon Arsenal’s playing system.
Aaron Ramsey
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Ramsey is a popular choice to eventually succeed Fabregas. The Welsh midfield dynamo showed encouraging signs towards the end of the season, as he continues to rebound from the horrific leg break suffered in the previous campaign.
Ramsey has demonstrated a calm and clinical touch in front of goal, making him an important part of any attacking move.
Ramsey would certainly be capable of increasing his goal numbers in accordance with his more advanced positioning. His range and variety of passing also shows great potential.
His style seems more akin to a box-to-box midfielder. The responsibility to regularly be in a position to knit midfield and attack together could stifle the more energetic and tenacious aspects of his game.
Ramsey’s rehabilitation still needs time. It may be too much of a risk to bestow such an important tactical role on a player limited to just eight appearances last season.
Jack Wilshere
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Fast developing a reputation as the future of the England national team, Jack Wilshere would seem the ideal fit.
Despite his diminutive physical stature, Wilshere refuses to be intimidated, regardless of the opposition. He brings a strong head and composed touch to the Arsenal midfield.
Although he has looked sharp playing in a similar role to Fabregas for England, Wilshere has struggled when forced to adopt the mantle for Arsenal. Too often a through ball is over hit. The ideas are there but the execution is lacking. For a player who is frequently in advanced areas, his goal scoring potential is rarely realised.
Like Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere seems more suited to a position where his boundless energy and appetite for the tackle won’t be wasted. He flourishes when he is constantly on the move and can keep Arsenal’s possession game ticking over in the centre of the pitch.
Abou Diaby
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A dynamic talent when on form, Abou Diaby is often a figure of frustration for the Emirates Stadium faithful.
He is capable on occasion of driving attacks forward with a powerful, long striding style. Diaby’s tight, intricate control and strong shot make him a real danger in and around the opposition box.
While he lacks the creative guile of Cesc Fabregas, Diaby may be able to provide a valuable number of goals from more advanced positions.
Diaby began as a supporting striker in his youth team days. He could relish utilising his natural attacking inclinations. The French international has floundered when asked to play in a defensive role behind Fabregas.
Injuries and lapses in concentration have blighted Abou Diaby’s development. Being pushed forward could be his last chance to deliver on his undoubted talent and salvage his Arsenal career.
Alex Song
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Considered to be Arsenal’s best defensive midfielder, Alex Song can be wildly inconsistent in the fashionable “holding” role.
Song lacks the positional discipline of a true defensive shield. His eagerness to supplement attacks has detrimental consequences for the stability of the Arsenal back line.
Too often Song fails to drop in as cover for Arsenal’s raiding full backs. This means the centre backs are left exposed and are frequently dragged out wide.
Song can also be reckless in tackling. He lacks composure in key challenges, giving away possession in dangerous areas.
A move further forward could be the answer. Song looks a completely different player when driving towards the opposition box. Quick and physically strong, he is able to use neat control to be at his most effective when played at speed.
Alex Song would certainly be unable to offer the same craft as Cesc Fabregas. Advancing the current midfield anchor would require a tweak to Arsenal’s style of play. Sharp, incisive passing at close quarters could be replaced by a more direct game.
This could better serve the pace in Arsenal’s team offered by Robin Van Persie and Theo Walcott. As the supporting midfielder, Song could be the fulcrum of this new style and have the ability to perform a role similar to Manchester City’s Yaya Toure.
Andrey Arshavin
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Andrey Arshavin is as exciting as any player in world football when the mood strikes. His is a talent simply too good to waste.
Even during a down season, Arshavin still managed 52 appearances, producing 10 goals and 17 assists. Gifted with quick thinking and natural football instincts, Arshavin is capable of genuine quality every time he touches the ball.
His eye for a pass is second to none. He has both the dynamism and invention of the perfect playmaker. There would certainly be no loss of creativity if Andrey Arshavin replaced Cesc Fabregas.
Arshavin possesses lethal accuracy in front of goal with both feet. There should be the potential of 20-plus goals from the Russian in a central role.
Complacency and the worrying habit of drifting in and out of games are the biggest concerns surrounding Arshavin. His questionable temperament makes placing him in such a key position a big gamble. As always with Arshavin, both the potential risks and rewards are huge.
If Fabregas leaves, Arsene Wenger’s quandary is whether or not he should keep the same system. Without the formation’s essential player, Arsenal could be forced to adapt their playing style.
