a écrit le 18 septembre 2010 à 0h11 From a fans’ perspective, those same “defensive†expectations often shade the intricacies of what the defensive midfielder can accomplish. A great defensive midfielder – think Patty Vieira, Javier Mascherano, or Michael Essien – contributes just as much to the offense as the defense, not just in goals but in attacking support, and that’s something Alex Song started to pick up at the end of last year.
“I feel I’ve improved a lot this season, but I don’t want to settle for that now that I’m a regular in the team,†Song said to the Official Matchday Programme in May. “I know I can do far more, so it’s my job to keep improving now. I should probably score more goals, and try to take more opportunities. People always tell me that I never shoot! This isn’t my main role – I prefer to give a good pass and that’s my first job – but I know there are sometimes chances I can take. If I have some space to attack I’ll do it, but you can’t do something just because you want to – you have to consider the team with every move you make. Every single player has his job and I know what my priorities are. I know that people might like me to push a little bit more forwards at times but I can’t do that all the time and have to select my moments carefully.â€
Such a monumental shift in Song’s mentality. Last year, Song seemed almost locked behind the midfield line, probably worried to stretch too far ahead or to even think about attacking after a few positional mistakes cost Arsenal early in the season. There is a priority from that role to support the defense, especially in the Arsenal system with the defense playing such a high line and relying on the DM to break up play and allow the defense to reset behind him. That shouldn’t be ignored, as Song said, “I know what my priorities are.†But the other side of the game shouldn’t be ignored either. There are joint responsibilities and joint priorities from every player on the field, from the wingers, from the forwards, from the fullbacks, from everyone! And while the offensive players should come back and help defend, work in the midfield to break up play and win the ball back, the defensive players need also to reciprocate in attack.
“I feel I’ve improved a lot this season, but I don’t want to settle for that now that I’m a regular in the team,†Song said to the Official Matchday Programme in May. “I know I can do far more, so it’s my job to keep improving now. I should probably score more goals, and try to take more opportunities. People always tell me that I never shoot! This isn’t my main role – I prefer to give a good pass and that’s my first job – but I know there are sometimes chances I can take. If I have some space to attack I’ll do it, but you can’t do something just because you want to – you have to consider the team with every move you make. Every single player has his job and I know what my priorities are. I know that people might like me to push a little bit more forwards at times but I can’t do that all the time and have to select my moments carefully.â€
Such a monumental shift in Song’s mentality. Last year, Song seemed almost locked behind the midfield line, probably worried to stretch too far ahead or to even think about attacking after a few positional mistakes cost Arsenal early in the season. There is a priority from that role to support the defense, especially in the Arsenal system with the defense playing such a high line and relying on the DM to break up play and allow the defense to reset behind him. That shouldn’t be ignored, as Song said, “I know what my priorities are.†But the other side of the game shouldn’t be ignored either. There are joint responsibilities and joint priorities from every player on the field, from the wingers, from the forwards, from the fullbacks, from everyone! And while the offensive players should come back and help defend, work in the midfield to break up play and win the ball back, the defensive players need also to reciprocate in attack.
