Nani

Nani has only scored 25 goals in 146 apps for United. 1 goal every 5.84 games.

Oxlade-Chaimberlin has only scored 5 goals in 55 apps for Arsenal. 1 goal every 11 games.

Ozil has scored 5 goals in 26 apps for Arsenal. 1 goal every 5.2 games. (Better than Nani)

Rosicky has scored 17 goals in 155 apps for Arsenal. 1 goal every 9.1 games.

Cazorla has scored 16 goals in 69 apps for Arsenal. 1 goal every 4.3 games. (Better than Nani)

Yes, Nani may be more direct than some but you want a variety of different attributes for players in attacking midfield. You couldn't play
-Nan-Ozil-Cazorla
in midfield as it simply wouldn't work, it is too predictable. Rosicky is used for movement, Oxlade Chaimberlin is the same and Gnabry could also be seen as a direct, depending on how he wants to play.

You need some variety? Not all direct.

AFCISMYTEAM (U14931)

He does have a pretty valid point there Jenius99.

Being direct is a player that runs at other players, (hence being direct) looking to take them on.
Whats that got to do with goal scoring?
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Because direct players are those that are direct on goal. Its not about dribbling past half the team and passing it back to someone else. Arshavin was a direct player, Podolski is a direct player, Theo is a direct player, Freddie was a direct player, Wiltord was a direct player, Reyes was direct player, Overmars was one of the most 'direct' players in history. Look at the context of the discussion to under stand the meaning.

We have always had a direct wide player to compliment the striker. And they become even more important when you don't have a quality fast striker like www/henry/anelka who can score you 20+ premiership goals every season. So if Arsene intends to play Giroud as our spearhead, direct players on goal on both sides of him are extremely important.

Tom

Santi had a very good season in his first year. However last year he was pushed wide in the most and his goal production decreased.

I am not sure what Arsene plans to do on the left.

Ideally if Alexis is the spearhead (or Theo) we could have the sort of movement between Ozil<----->Santi and Alexi<---->Theo to have the sort of production that Nasri<---->Cesc and RVP <-------> Theo managed.

Jenius99 (U4918)

No its not. Direct players aren't just about being direct on goal. Direct players can be players that run at defenders and take them on, not about direct goalscoring. Arshavin was a direct player, but he was direct because he had the ability to take players on. He only scored a goal every 4.5 games and he could have played as a striker in any of the 105 games he played in for Arsenal.

You don't want all of your 3 midfielders that play in behind Giroud to be direct, its far too predictable. You want 1, maybe 2 at the most. You want one that can create chances, one that is direct at taking players on and then one that can roam around for space and pull players away. So far, you've got that with Cazorla, Ozil and Walcott. Nani isn't needed as you've also got Podolski who is direct as well. If anything, you need someone a little bit more creative if anything, you've only really got Ozil and maybe Rosicky to do that job. Another player like Cazorla could help as well. But certainly not Nani, he has under-performed at United.

Tom

Thats exactly what I am suggesting. Two direct players on either side of Giroud with Ozil (who is creative behind).

Ideally you would want the direct player (eg Alexis) in the striking position and the other on the right or left. That way you can stretch opposing defences, pushing them back thereby creating more space between the lines for the creative deeper players.

The problem is that for whatever reason Wenger does not utilize Podolski enough. I don't expect that to change.

However my point on Nani was as a backup to Theo. Ideally I would want Joel Campbell to develop into the role because he showed in the world cup that he can do that right-to-in quite well. But for whatever reason we have been linked and I can see why compared to those who reject it outright.

It depends all on what Arsene wants to play. Personally I'd go for
Walcott-Cazorla-Ozil
then with Sanchez up front or if Giroud was playing (which it is likely to be) then I'd swap Walcott with Sanchez, as Sanchez is a better player than Walcott although they have similar styles.

Then that leaves you with a nice and balanced midfield, with Walcott/Sanchez as the direct runners at defenders, Ozil as your main creative source and then Cazorloa who can drift about, make it difficult to mark him and to pick up space on the ball. If you have that then you should be successful in midfield next season.

Jenius99 (U4918)

It is risky having 2 direct runners though, especially if they out wide and wanting to come into the middle. If you can find 2 suitable wingers that do the old fashioned job there, then there should be no problems.

I would always say you would want someone like Giroud in the box for 2 direct runners from midfield (wingers). They can try to take their man on down the flanks and deliver crosses in towards Giroud, with Ozil maybe gambling or sitting on the edge of the box just in case it breaks loose. Giroud is the type of striker to get on the end of deliveries in the box 9 times out of 10. If that isn't working, that is when you bring off one of your direct wingers or put Sanchez up front (say he was playing on the right wing for example) and then bring someone like Cazorla on, just to break it up and to change your style.

I don't actually think Podolski is that useful to your game plan anyway. He fits into it well enough, but he just doesn't have as much quality as what Sanchez or Walcott have, therefore he would only be seen as back-up, alongside Cazorla and hopefully (fingers crossed) Joel Campbell.

Nani isn't needed because you already have 6 very good players available to play in that system and that don't really weaken your team. Nani isn't really needed because he would be considered a squad player at Arsenal and no more, without much game time. The money would be best off used in other areas, like in defensive midfield for example.

Nani would be pointless. And disruptive too I imagine. Guy's a bell to boot.

Maybe not disruptive, but he certainly wouldn't be worth it. I'd rather just take the money from Vermaelen, if you were to sell him, or get a p/e for one of United's defenders in the process.