How long can Arsenal manage without a holding midfielder?

For once in many years, the Arsenal squad looks stable. It hasn’t been at it’s best ever since the likes of Van Persie and Cesc left their ranks at the gunners to seek fortunes elsewhere. This season, however, with under a month left for the transfer season to wind up, there doesn’t really seem to be any anticipation or the urgency to bring a new player to the team. While this may be predictable, considering how Arsene Wenger plays his game of dice, is it the best choice to not take a step to improve?

Even when Arsenal plays a single man upfront, they usually face the heat for not having a plan B. The Frenchman Giroud, this time has the likes of Wellbeck and Walcott to look back to in case he needs to take a break. Walcott has been in good form during the pre-season and looks like he might be the talisman for a new (yet same old team) Arsenal. That is, considering he doesn’t find himself back in the injury list for a major stretch once again.

Even other positions have so much versatility that Arsene Wenger would have a difficult time fixing spots and accommodating players to the best of their skills keeping in mind the opponents. Their attacking half of the midfield can boast of their diamond-boys Wilshere, Cazorla, and Ozil. Even the wings have some element of stability, with Sanchez and Oxdale-Chamberlain. Sanchez is probably the most fit player in the entire squad, and even if Chamberlain does find himself out, either Wellbeck or Walcott can replace him.

The defensive issue for the team doesn’t lie with the back 4 but rather depends on the all-important holding position. With the amount of creativity up ahead in the midfield and attack, they need a strong holding midfielder who plays right behind the midfield line and has the ability to make sure the ball reaches these players securely.

Last season, a surprise emerged from the ranks by the name of Francis Coquelin. He had filled all the requirements which are essential for the position- to be dynamic at play, have the required stamina and have the strength as well as technique to make sure the ball reaches the intended man. When he proved himself adept at this new position, both Cazorla and Ozil were free to look at more attacking roles.

This resulted in the over dependence of the team on the French player.

Previously, this job was done all so well by the young Flamini, who had the skill for this position. After his return to his former club, he has rather been a shadow of his own self, and probably just a substitute more than anything else. Arteta would be another one of those who would be capable of taking the role. Being the veteran of the young squad, he commands a respect inthe dressing room. But to our dismay, he doesn’t seem to ripen with age.  He provides a much-required experience to the team, but that’s about it. Apart from slowing the team down, he has been losing his physical touch.

The issue lies at a very basic fact of Coquelin’s possibility of falling prey to injury. He has no complete substitute to whom he can entrust the position to. It was no mere coincidence that both Arsenal and Coquelin shined at the same time. In order to find a replacement for the lad, Arsene needs to find a player who is willing to play the second man behind Coquelin, but also has the capability to replace him if anything were to happen. This leaves a very tiny window for Arsene to scan for players. He might also look for better options, but has to be ready to accept that Coquelin might leave Arsenal to seek better playing time elsewhere like he almost did when he went to a loan to Charlton Athletic.

If Arsene Wenger can ensure that Coquelin can manage to keep himself fit, he might be the reason the team might be a title contender this season. Last season, early in, the situation was weak at the back, as there were many loopholes. But with the defensive additions like that of Gabriel Paulista, Coquelin got pushed up in position and the team started showing its charm.

It all comes down to Arsene Wenger. He has no issue on the monetary front and if he decides to seek a backup, it best be at the defensive midfield position on a holding player.