Mikel Arteta

[Dom1878]

Well i know we are short on numbers, but providing we get some transfers in, i was wondering what the general consensus is about Arteta, where does he play best? In the center or the wing?

Personally i think he should be played in the center, he is good on the wing, but i feel we would get the best out of him in the center, and try and sign a winger before the transfer window shuts.

 

[amablueski]

I dnt think it matters where he plays, the boy has class, so can play where-ever. Personally i would like to see him play more centrally, but i think the fact his tackling is pretty awful means he would need players who can tackle around him tho.

 

[McBain]

He hasnt got the backtracking ability of a central midfielder.

We hoof it because we have no one in the middle screaming for it.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

On the wing for me, he doesn't get involved enough in the middle. He doesn't come looking for the ball for example, he waits for it to come to him and then he makes things happen. That's not a critisism it's just his style of play.

He also keeps it to simple, if he plays centre midfield he needs to be more creative in his passing try things like through balls for example and more long range passes. He does have a tendency to keep it simple whereas he does have the ability to pass both short and long.

Playing in the middle also limits his best attribute, his dribbling ability and technique. He likes to run with the ball and keep it moving. On the wing he can do that but in the middle it's crowded and you get less time on the ball.

I'd rather us buy a quality ball playing centre midfield and keep Arteta outwide. If we don't buy a quality centre midfielder then I would think about moving him centrally as he's better than Osman there.

Really he should have the freedom to interchange between right, left and centre. Thats where he's at this best. Where he's got the freedom of the pitch and he can create in different areas.

 

[amablueski]

Well i noticed on Saturday he did drift central a few times, my mate who sits next to me pointed out many, many times that Neville had no option on the right cos Mikel wasnt there. So if he does drfit some1 has got to go wide, ossie was very slow to react and it should really have been him to take over.

Not having a go, just something that would have happened last season, but this season the TP seems to have gone.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

Well i noticed on Saturday he did drift central a few times, my mate who sits next to me pointed out many, many times that Neville had no option on the right cos Mikel wasnt there. So if he does drfit some1 has got to go wide, ossie was very slow to react and it should really have been him to take over.

Not having a go, just something that would have happened last season, but this season the TP seems to have gone.

He always drifts inside, that's what comes naturally to him. He is a centre midfielder after all. If he stays outwide and tries to play like a winger he'll limit his game and be innefective.

If Neville was better on the ball and could carry it forward we'd have a much better style of play. Pienaar and Arteta drift inside and the fullbacks overlap giving us an Arsenal like system. Sadly he doesn't which is why we need a new fullback.

At the moment Neville gets the ball, Arteta drifts inside and Nev chips it over his head.

 

[Rook]

I don't think he's very effective on the right side. Neville and hibbert get ignored and Arteta gets double teamed. Osman also has trouble getting the ball to him.

On the left (center-left) with Peanut, Baines/Valente and Lescott on the side he has alot more room to work with.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

I do agree that Neville and Hibbert limit him, he has no one to link with at times as both are inept attacking wise. When Baines reverted to left back yesterday Arteta started to get into the game and they linked well for 20-25 minutes.

Getting a proper centre midfield is a start, if we can get a centre midfielder who can link with Arteta and get him into positions where he's effective it doesn't matter where he plays: left, right or centre. If he sees the ball in the attacking third he is effective.

Hopefully we can get a centre midfield in before the window shuts, both a defensive midfielder and an attacking midfielder.

 

[linglong]

In the centre if hes got someone who can hold the ball with him otherwise throw him out on the wing,but he's class thats for sure.

 

[TX Bill]

I like him on the wing but there are times (like yesterday) where he's more suited centrally.

I guess it depends on the situation.

 

[Gazdalf]

He is potentially the best central midfielder you will ever see and is wasted playing wings. Shame we do not have the wingers for him to orchestrate.

If anyone disagrees then fair enough, I don't care.


Except TX bills last post. I care about the fool, anyone else can go blow.

 

[Arteta2391]

I think he is an accomplished midfielder but he is most effective at Right Midfield. He has the skills to take on defenders on the right wing and although he can just nail in a cross he can also go for goal with an ease.

 

[Gazdalf]

I think he is an accomplished midfielder but he is most effective at Right Midfield. He has the skills to take on defenders on the right wing and although he can just nail in a cross he can also go for goal with an ease.

Those points, to the letter, make me convinced that central mid is his best position, as playmaker(Just give him a class def mid behind him). He knows how to run the wings, he knows when to make a move to goal, he knows how to ping it left or right. With wingers that know how to run a wing, then our spud will find them. I just feel his talents are wasted limiting him to one side of the field. I know you are a spud lover, as I am. But think about it for a bit. Who better to orchestrate wingers than someone that can do it blindfolded, and still have more to offer?


Over to you Arteta2391 (meant with the fondest of intentions)

 

[sotnas]

I think this lad is a center midfield. He graduated at Barcelona where all the teams play with 3 center midifielders.

If he is to play on the wings, I'd use him on the left. He has a good curling shot, and cutting inside we'd get extra firepower and still have that bit of skill and passing in the middle of the park. Remember Forest's John Robertson?

Ideally I'd use him changing places between left midfielder and attacking midfielder, allowing him to roam freely.

 

[Gazdalf]

I think this lad is a center midfield. He graduated at Barcelona where all the teams play with 3 center midifielders.

If he is to play on the wings, I'd use him on the left. He has a good curling shot, and cutting inside we'd get extra firepower and still have that bit of skill and passing in the middle of the park. Remember Forest's John Robertson?

Ideally I'd use him changing places between left midfielder and attacking midfielder, allowing him to roam freely.

Does that mean you agree with me then? b)b)


You probably know, just as well as I do, that is where he learnt his trade(the centre, at Barca) , and apart from some bad career decisions(not Spuds choices, his agents (long story, at Barca)), the info is out there, in between the lines, he was classed far and above his best friends capabilities(Alonso, once again at Barca).

P.S "MIKEL ARTETA = EVERTON CAPTAIN 2009 - 2012



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