I'm not so sure the DCM spot was the problem for Arsenal today, especially in possession. Coquelin was, statistically, tied for the highest rated player on the team with a 7.66 rating. Ramsey and Cazorla rated out at 6.6 and 6.1, respectively. Coquelin won 67% of aerial duels and kept 77% possession when they were in his face the entire game. Ramsey and Caz, on the other hand were on 70% and 75%.

Most of the DCM position's play is meant to break up play, and he did that pretty well. The second step is to make short passes and get the ball into the best playmaker's hands. For a DCM on our team, that's usually Caz, Ramsey, or Giroud (or play a part in the circle of frustration DCM to Per to Kosc to DCM all on the center circle - Rinse and repeat). With Giroud also having a below-average performance and getting too easily bullied, I'm not sure we could expect much more from the DCM position no matter who is playing it.

This post was edited on 2/9/15 at 9:27 am

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Posted by Stewie Griffin

Baton Rouge

Member since Feb 2005

16148 posts

Posted on 2/9/15 at 10:00 am to LSUGooner

Coq was good. He's excellent at disruption. I just think we need to upgrade there long term.

Ramsey and Santi were both bad, and Ramsey has been very mediocre this year. All the criticisms of him that were true in the past disappeared last year and showed up this year. He loses possession far too much, he's too fancy in dangerous positions.

He's at his best when he's running, tackling, and bursting into space, while playing simple balls to help us transition from interception to possession. Jack would've been helpful against Tottenham. He's such a better dribbler than Ramsey and can hold the ball and pick up those fouls to help us reset our lines.

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