This summer the Spanish National team retained their European Championship crown in Poland and Ukraine beating Italy in the final. They did this by playing without an out and out centre forward for most of the tournament, with Fernando Torres making a cameo appearance. Spain’s style of passing and protecting the ball ensured they did not need a target man and their midfielders had the ability to master a style of football never seen before.
Despite not blessed with players of that unbelievable level, I believe Arsenal have everything in place to play this system if Wenger feels the need to change. Arsenal are blessed with excellent midfield passers of the ball but not the most lethal of forward lines out of the big teams. Gervinho has started the season playing as the centre forward and focus point of the attack and has scored a few goals, however he still makes poor decisions at crucial moments and I don’t believe he is good enough to start every week for Arsenal. Olivier Giroud has come to the club this summer and after a good performance at West Ham this weekend looks to be warming to the Premier League but there is still potential for him to follow Marouane Chamakh’s example of failing to make the transition from France to England.
It is my opinion that Arsenal could play 6 across the midfield and they have players that have the ability to play without the target man. Lukas Podolski has been a steady starter so far this season on the left wing and he loves to cut inside and join the attack which would suit this system perfectly. On the right wing, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain appear to be tussling for this position but both have pace and enthusiasm to allow them to get behind the defence and also press high when they don’t have the ball. Santi Cazorla has been one of, if not the best player in the Premier League so far this season and in this system, could play a similar role that Iniesta plays for Spain as the most forward of the central midfielders.
Mikel Arteta has been consistent since his arrival last summer and has become one of the first names on Arsenal’s team sheet, he is more than capable of playing a role similar to Xavi and Xavi is the only reason Arteta isn’t close to reaching a milestone of International caps. With Aaron Ramsey, Abou Diaby and the soon to be returning Jack Wilshere, Arsenal have a long list of midfielders that are so similar to the tika-taka Spain style and could pass teams to death. Finally, add to that list Andrey Arshavin and Tomas Rosicky and suddenly there is no need for Arsenal to play with a main centre forward.
Arsenal may not have players with the same reputation as the Spain players but I believe playing this system would refresh Arsenal and Premier League teams will struggle to cope with this style of play. I doubt Wenger will opt to play this way soon but in my opinion it should certainly be a consideration if Arsenal want to end their hunt for a trophy.
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