a écrit le 18 septembre 2010 à 0h09 Erik Ian Larsen: Is Alex Song Arsenal’s most important player?
Alex Song may be the most important player on the field for Arsenal.
I know, the Cesc enthusiasts just got up out of their Barcaloungers and screamed obscenities at me, but after watching Song’s impressive display against Bolton on Saturday, both offensively and defensively, I began to see our resident (and only) defensive midfielder in a different light. Perhaps it was just the glint off his fungal hair, but I believe Alex Song has the potential to be, unequivocally, the centerpiece of this Arsenal team.
The defensive midfielder role is an often misunderstood position. I think, because of the name and the overarching “concept†of the holding role, there’s an expectation of the defensive midfielder that often limits him from playing an all-encompassing style. Don’t leave your slot, don’t push too far forward, don’t do this, don’t do that. It’s a limiting role by definition, not necessarily in a bad way because of the importance of positional awareness from that zone, but that doesn’t mean a defensive midfielder needs to live and die by the “don’ts.†There are exceptions to the pre-defined rules, and Alex Song is starting to explore those alternatives with great results.
Alex Song may be the most important player on the field for Arsenal.
I know, the Cesc enthusiasts just got up out of their Barcaloungers and screamed obscenities at me, but after watching Song’s impressive display against Bolton on Saturday, both offensively and defensively, I began to see our resident (and only) defensive midfielder in a different light. Perhaps it was just the glint off his fungal hair, but I believe Alex Song has the potential to be, unequivocally, the centerpiece of this Arsenal team.
The defensive midfielder role is an often misunderstood position. I think, because of the name and the overarching “concept†of the holding role, there’s an expectation of the defensive midfielder that often limits him from playing an all-encompassing style. Don’t leave your slot, don’t push too far forward, don’t do this, don’t do that. It’s a limiting role by definition, not necessarily in a bad way because of the importance of positional awareness from that zone, but that doesn’t mean a defensive midfielder needs to live and die by the “don’ts.†There are exceptions to the pre-defined rules, and Alex Song is starting to explore those alternatives with great results.
