One of the main criticisms aimed at Arsene Wenger was his failure to get his teams to adapt to the opposition. Players had their roles and were encouraged to figure things out as the game wore on – a folly in the modern game where rival coaches give players specific instructions on how to approach games and even certain moments.
Emery is of a different breed. He is willing to change things around even mid-game to find the right formula. It is why Ozil was so much better in the second half because Emery had instructed his team to give the German space when he drifted towards the centre or the left.
“I like the possibility to have the player play different positions on the pitch. It depends [on] each match and it is the same for other players too. For that, Mesut has played with me on the right wing and also as no.10 and we are going to continue to do that.”
“His quality is for playing between the lines. But I spoke with him for his best position on the pitch and I know he can play right and as a ten. And he wants that I can use him for two positions.” – Unai Emery before the Cardiff game.
Arsenal look much more potent with Lacazette and Aubameyang on the pitch together. They clearly enjoy each other’s company and the Gunners look far more fluid as a result. And since Mkhitaryan is a better choice out on the right, only one of Ramsey or Ozil can start in the middle unless Ramsey is pushed further back.
But with Lucas Torreira, Matteo Guendouzi, and Granit Xhaka also in the mix, it is quite the selection headache. And playing time may be a factor in Ramsey’s contract extension too with his current deal expiring at the end of this season.
Since Emery has abandoned the idea of playing a 4-3-3 (like Pep Guardiola did at Manchester City to use two no.10s in Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva as no.8s in tandem), there will be sacrifices made this season with Ramsey, Ozil, and Mkhitaryan being rotated in what could be a gruelling season with Europa League fixtures packing the schedule.
We could even see a 4-2-2-2 formation that allows Emery to slot in both Ozil and Ramsey when two strikers start together. But he will adopt a ‘horses for courses’ strategy and use Ramsey as a no.10 against sides that keep the ball better while Ozil will move to the middle when he knows that the Gunners can dominate possession.