Arsenal: Why Andrei Arshavin Should Be Used as a Central Midfielder

Arsene Wenger has generated headlines in recent seasons due to his penchant for collecting numerous central-minded playmakers—Samir Nasri, Andrei Arshavin, Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta to name just a few—some would say at the expense of a needed central defender or striker.

In Wenger's current 4-2-3-1 system, employed since the beginning of the 2009-10 season, there is a heavy emphasis on the ability of the two wings to work well with the lone central striker. Thus, Wenger has employed would-be central midfielders (Nasri, Arshavin), steeped in distributive ability, in those roles, often alongside a pacy alternative on the other flank (Walcott, and now Gervinho).

That comes down to a couple of reasons:

1. There's only so much room on the pitch—and with Alex Song exerting a stranglehold on the defensive central holding role, only two central midfield slots remain.

In 2010-11, the now-departed Cesc Fabregas and currently injured Jack Wilshere occupied those roles. That forced Nasri out to the wing (usually on the left), though he would often drift in more centrally to become involved in the play.

You want your best players on the pitch, so Wenger slotted in Nasri in on the left wing. Perhaps out of position, but Nasri was slippery enough as a player to be able to exert his influence all the same.

2. The wing was never going to be Nasri's first choice preference, but his role there was crucial to some of Arsenal's early-season success—particularly during 2010-11, when Fabregas was injured for lengthy spells.

It was Nasri's industry and link-up play on the flanks, followed by superb finishing, that often cut open opposing defenses (remember Fulham and Manchester City).

It's that type of creativity and ease with playing little one-two's along with weighted passes in behind the defense (calling cards of top central midfielders in free-flowing offenses) that makes Wenger's system click.

What was baffling, however, was how few assists Nasri provided last season (four in all competitions—in comparison, he has six already for Manchester City this campaign) to his goals (10). Was that due to his being placed in a wider position? Perhaps, but that's a topic for another day.

While the newly-signed Gervinho has, along with Theo Walcott, offered more of a classic look on the left wing this season with his pace and love of dribbling—the Ivorian's well-timed runs past opposing defenders, followed by solid cutbacks, have set up three Robin van Persie goals in the last two league matches—it would be unfair to say we've never seen a similar type of industry from Andrei Arshavin.

The little Russian is often as adept as Luis Suarez at navigating the end-line, as his sometimes-velvety ball control leaves defenders flailing. His drop in form over the last season-and-a-half notwithstanding, Arshavin can consistently put opponents under pressure when he's got his tail between his legs.

And to his credit, he's often excelled out of position, as he is no natural-born winger (although he is more adaptable in that role as opposed to when he was used as a central striker in '09-10 after injuries decimated the Gunners' forward ranks...*shuddering at the memory).

Arshavin will always be at his optimum when operating from a more central role; something he was able to do in Tuesday night's Carling Cup tie against Bolton Wanderers.

Wenger had lined up that go-to 4-2-3-1, and slotted Arshavin into the attacking midfield role so often occupied by youngster Aaron Ramsey this season in domestic and continental play.

The little Russian didn't disappoint. As he's done so often with Russia in past years when on national duty, Arshavin was at his industrious best on Tuesday, scoring the first Arsenal goal with a brilliant low drive before assisting newcomer Park Chu Young on the Gunners' second with a lovely bit of skill. Park's goal, no slouch itself, would prove decisive in a 2-1 victory.

The diminutive dynamo Arshavin has always had an eye for the assist, with 17(!) last season for the club, all competitions combined. It was a statistic Wenger often referenced when defending his under-fire star, who was fairly criticized for his questionable work-rate and propensity to disappear for large swaths of games.

He looked like a fish in water on Tuesday night in that central role, begging the question as to whether Wenger might be best served to use him more often in the position he finds most comfortable. Would that increase his effectiveness?

The problem here, as mentioned previously, is one of depth.

Ramsey was crucial in recent games against Olympique de Marseille (scoring the game-winner after coming on as a late substitute) and Stoke City (provided the opening assist to Gervinho). And after some fairly-criticized performances (Tottenham—aside from his goal, his overall performance was quite poor in the 2-1 loss), has looked much stronger in recent weeks.

Wenger has sung Ramsey's praises recently, backing the Welsh midfielder to hit double figures in goals this season, and even comparing him favorably to Steven Gerrard, of Liverpool fame.

In watching Ramsey recently, I have to say that if a comparison—and those are always a tricky business—is to be made, Gerrard is a good one.

Of course, it will take years for Ramsey to reach the same heights enjoyed by the Liverpool icon, but there is no denying that the two share similar qualities, namely impressive technical mastery and a knack for getting goals through clinical finishes from a midfield position.

However, as Ramsey continues to rediscover his legs after that lengthy convalescence emanating from that dastardly broken leg back in Feb. '10 (seems like forever ago now), perhaps it would be best to give him a breather toward the final thirds of matches.

Enter Arshavin, the super-sub.

Wenger has not deemed it necessary to substitute Ramsey during many matches this season—a testament to the player's fitness—but he has substituted Arteta (league match against Bolton) and Tomas Rosicky (Sunderland) this season, both of whom are central midfielders.

Perhaps Wenger wouldn't want to lose Ramsey's industry in tightly wound matches, but why not bring on Arshavin for one of the other central midfielders if they tire?

We've yet to see the Russian and Welshman paired together in midfield, a prospect that has the potential to be enthralling. They have styles all their own, but that could be a successful combination if given the chance to blossom.

The French manager did, after all, reference Arshavin's effectiveness on Tuesday night, and hinted at possibly using him in central midfield this season.

“You can see that in the future he can be a very influential player behind the striker,” Wenger stated on Arsenal.com.

Wenger also alluded to the Russian as an "impact player," and noted that wing play, where physicality can often rule the roost (for any team other than Barcelona), is perhaps not the most conducive position for Arshavin, given his slight stature and...er...reluctance to track back on the flanks at times.

So why not give Arshavin a chance to play alongside Ramsey—or even in his stead? The Russian has looked good when coming on as a substitute in Premier League play, often displaying a sense of earnestness and desire (witnessed less frequently when he is given a starting role).

If Wenger is to move him to a more central role—and with Gervinho so effective in past weeks, that left wing role once employed by Arshavin looks locked up—it can, and perhaps should, be done slowly.

Though Arshavin is no newcomer to operating as an attacking mid, Arsenal is no Russia; it is a different team with different players. There is an inherent difference in playing in matches as opposed to the training pitch—thus, work him in bit by bit if he is to take on that new role.

I think that Arshavin, who has said he wishes to improve upon his oft-sputtering form of recent seasons, could show his true quality more frequently when playing in his most comfortable position.

Whether that's alongside Ramsey or at the Welshman's expense is a decision for Wenger alone. And in all fairness, Ramsey has done nothing to dissuade his manager from dispossessing him of his current spot in the first XI given his recent form.

So perhaps Arshavin's rebirth in a central role will come in stages; but hopefully it will come. He is too talented to flounder, and it is sometimes up to the manager to find the arena in which his struggling player can rediscover his true form.

For Arshavin, that looks like the center of the park.