Power Rankings: Palace on the Rise, Liverpool Fall Again

1. Chelsea (1): Another easy win for Chelsea who dispatched of Aston Villa easily at home.  Diego Costa now has eight from six premier league matches, and Jose Mourinho celebrated his 250th match in charge of the club.  Chelsea will look to take advantage of Arsenal’s injury troubles next weekend and replicate the last meeting between the two London clubs.

2. Southampton (2): Since losing at Anfield on opening day, Southampton are undefeated in all competitions (seven matches), riding the high of Ronald Koeman’s brilliant philosophies.  Graziano Pelle’s strike could be the goal of the season already, and Ryan Bertrand looks keen to jump ship from Chelsea permanently.  

3. Manchester City (3): The top three remains unchanged here, given Southampton’s form in September.  City won 4-2 at Hull City, but made it harder on themselves than necessary; Eliaquim Mangala will want to forget this day which saw him conceded a penalty and put one in his own net.  

4. Arsenal (4): Arsenal only stay in the top four of the rankings by virtue of the four teams behind them losing.  Saturday’s North London Derby was a disappointing result for the Gunners, with fans scratching their heads wondering why Alexis started on the bench.  The Chilean has been Arsenal’s best player in the young season, and his introduction changed the game late on.  A full 90 from Arsenal’s big signing could have seen a different outcome.  

5. Crystal Palace (9): Crystal Palace’s rise in the last two weeks has been meteoric; two wins in six days an a recent home victory over talk-of-the-town Leicester will put to rest any doubts about Neil Warnock’s pedigree for now.  Mile Jedinak continues to log impressive shifts in the middle for Palace; there are probably a host of top teams wishing they had a player of his solidarity.  

6. Leicester City (5): Leicester couldn’t continue the blistering pace with which they dispatched of Manchester United last Sunday, and subsequently fell to Crystal Palace 2-0 on the road.  Nigel Pearson is a manager who, however, ‘gets it,’ and they should look to impress more moving forward. 

7. Aston Villa (6): That’s two losses from two for Aston Villa, but this one won’t sting like last weekend’s 3-0 home loss to Arsenal.  Chelsea are in a different class, and it’s important for Paul Lambert and Roy Keane to refocus their efforts toward more winnable fixtures ahead.  

8. Swansea (7): For the second week in a row, Swansea drop a spot in the rankings.  Lukasz Fabianski was a busy man on Saturday, and also for the second weekend in a row Swansea ended the game with 10 men.  This time it was Angel Rangel who received his marching orders, but credit Sunderland for making it very difficult for Swansea to find chances throughout.  

9. Everton (13): Everton stood firm in the season’s first edition of the North London Derby.  Phil Jagielka’s pile-driving effort assured a point for Roberto Martinez, but today’s here for Everton was American Tim Howard.  Howard had a disastrous outing last Sunday, making two unforgivable errors.  On Saturday, Howard was Everton’s best player, making several impressive saves even while falling victim to Steven Gerrard’s brilliant free kick.  

10. Stoke City (12): Another club on the rise for the second week in a row, Stoke City easily dispatched of sputtering Newcastle United.  This could be the last nail in the coffin for Alan Pardew.  

11. Hull City (8): Steve Bruce will applaud his side’s resilience after going down 2-0 so early, but won’t be happy with some of the lazy marking which allowed Sergio Aguero to open the scoring.  Had it not been for Eliaquim Mangala’s day to forget, it could have been much worse for the Tigers.  

12. Manchester United (15): 19 year old Paddy McNair was handed his debut by Louis Van Gaal, more papering over the cracks than a must-see first start.  However, credit the debutant for holding his ground and managing a near-physically impossible clearance down the stretch from a dangerous West Ham cross.  Wayne Rooney’s sending off only adds to the laundry list of questions directed toward the Red Devils’ captain.  

13. Liverpool (11): Liverpool missed an opportunity to springboard into a run of excellent form, as they did last year when they dismantled Everton 4-0 at Anfield.  Brendan Rodgers’ side took 37 or the next 39 available points after that, and a team struggling to find it’s post-Suarez identity won’t look to this one for any encouragement.  

14. Tottenham (14): Tottenham scored against Arsenal, something they didn’t manage once last season, so that has to be a huge positive coming away from this one.  

15. West Brom (17): West Brom dismantled Burnley, thanks to a brace from Saido Berahino.  Berahino’s impressive start to the season continues, and Fabian Delph’s call-up gives the youngster hope of seeing action in Roy Hodgson’s England squad.  

16. West Ham (10): Taking a closer look at this game, West Ham missed an opportunity to snatch a point from Old Trafford.  Enner Valencia blasted wide from a Daley Blind error, United capitalized on a terrible error for their second and game-winning goal, and Wayne Rooney's sending off should have boosted the Hammers coming off their win over Liverpool last weekend.  

17. Sunderland (18): Sunderland are also still searching for their first win of the season.  A draw to Swansea isn’t the worst thing that can happen, but Gus Poyet may see pressure from above if he continues to go winless.  

18. Newcastle (18): If cats have nine lives, Alan Pardew surely has hundreds and is by now running out.  Newcastle lack inventiveness, organization, and fighting spirit.  Only a matter of time now until SackPardew.com can finally be deemed irrelevant, but while it’s not, check it out; lot of interesting facts about the Pardew era on there.  

19. Queens Park Rangers (20): The only thing keeping Queens Park Rangers out of the DFL zone is Burnley’s unworldly poor form.  However, had it not been for Graziano Pelle’s unworldly strike, Harry Redknapp could have walked away with a point from the South.  

20. Burnley (16): Ironically enough, Burnley had three bids for Michael Dawson rejected over the summer.  Dawson scored from Chris Brunt’s corner to only worsen the 4-0 defeated handed to them by West Brom, while Burnely are currently riding a 526 minute streak in which they have not scored a league goal.  

More Rooney Controversy, Arsenal Injuries, and Howard's Resilience

Is Rooney ‘Dat Guy?’

After last weekend I was very critical of Wayne Rooney’s reaction to Leicester City’s equalizer in the second half.  This week, it’s more of the same from Rooney, who this time almost cost Manchester United a home win with a reckless challenge on Stewart Downing.  It’s becoming more and more evident that Van Gaal may have made the wrong choice in handing the armband to Rooney, while it remains to be seen how his suspension will impact United.  If, and it is a big if, United appear the better side without their captain in the lineup, things could yet get more interesting at Old Trafford.  

The New Balotelli

In what was seen by many as a terrific risk over the summer, Liverpool paid a controversial 16 million pounds for the services of Mario Balotelli.  To his credit, Balotelli has not let any off-the-field issues that have plagued his career affect Liverpool.  In a face-to-face spat with Adrian last weekend, Balotelli kept his cool and was unfortunate to see yellow in an indecent clearly designed to wind the Italian up.  However, Balotelli has now scored just one goal in has last 20 premier league appearances, and although he is showing signs of maturity, the mercurial goal-scorer we all know is currently MIA.  

Arsenal Injuries Continue

Already without Nacho Monreal, Mathieu Debuchy, and Olivier Giroud, Arsene Wenger now has more fitness predicaments to navigate.  Aaron Ramsey picked up a knock that will keep him sidelined for a month (which, guessing by past experiences, could mean more than just a month), Mikel Arteta also came off injured, and the status of Jack Wilshere remains up in the air heading into key clashes with Galatasalry and Chelsea.  This could mean the return of Abou Diaby to the side, but more worryingly could spell trouble ahead for the Gunners.  Arsene Wenger may be rueing his failure to sign a top defensive midfielder right now.  

Southampton Steady

Word out of the South last week was that Southampton players refused a day off from Ronald Koeman, much to the dismay of Mrs. Koeman.  The Dutch boss reportedly gave the players the day off, but captain Jose Fonte informed Koeman of the recent development, forcing the manager to put plans with the wife on hold.  With each week, Southampton look more and more impressive, while the likes of Calum Chambers, Luke Shaw, Dejan Lovren, Rickie Lambert, and Adam Lallana sit behind their former club in the premier league table.  

Chelsea Aiming High

If you don’t consider Chelsea favorites to win the league by now, shame on you.  Jose Mourinho is in a bit of a self-proclaimed pickle right now though with the fitness concerns of Diego Costa.  Costa has eight goals from six games in the league, but as the Champions League progresses Chelsea will need more out of their supporting forwards.  Right now, Bayern Munich and Chelsea look the strongest teams in the competition, so keeping Costa fit will be key for Chelsea.  If they can do so and get production out of Loic Remy and Didier Drogba in the league from here on, they have a chance for the treble this year.  

American Resilience

Aside from Phil Jagielka and his wondrous striker to steal a point from Anfield, Tim Howard was Everton’s finest player in the Merseyside Derby.  Following arguably his worst performance in the premier league, Howard put to rest any doubts about his age and current form for that matter.  Several huge saves aided the draw, particularly denying Mario Balotelli from point-blank range to keep the Italian searching for his first Liverpool tally in league play.  Howard continues to be a mainstay in the premier league, last week’s gaffes being an unusual deviation from his usual rock-solid self.  

England’s Surplus of Left Backs

The North London Derby was highlighted by Nacer Chadli’s opener, Alexis’ mysterious exclusion from the starting XI, and both sets of fans’ standard quota of pints and song.  However, two bright spots from he Three Lions perspective were the play of both Danny Rose and Kieran Gibbs at left back.  Rose limited Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s influence on from the right, and forced his countryman to find opportunities in the middle, which he ultimately did.  Gibbs had a similarly impressive match, although he spent much more time going forward.  The 25 year old has really come of age since Gael Clichy’s move to Manchester City, and both men are giving Roy Hodgson a lot to think about going forward.  

Alexis' Exclusion a Head-Scratcher

Saturday’s draw with Tottenham will do nothing to quell the frustration of Arsenal supporters who remain adamant that Arsene Wenger committed an unforgivable error in not securing a top defensive midfielder in the summer.  Mathieu Flamini’s error was what directly caused Nacer Chadli’s opener, but the exclusion of Arsenal’s most expensive signing of the summer is the bigger-picture question we’ll all be asking going forward.  

I see Arsene Wenger’s reasoning behind keeping Alexis on the bench.  Naturally, a player which such inventiveness and pace would be the ultimate substitute.  His inclusion for the final third of the match saw a change in directness and quality from Arsenal, while every decision has it’s reasoning that may not meet the eye.  

It is important to understand who Alexis is as a footballer.  Always second-tune to Lionel Messi and company at Barcelona, Alexis’ direct style of play and individuality are what saw him become surplus to requirements a the Nou Camp.  He gives the ball away more than one would fancy, but that’s the element of risk in putting him in.

James McNicholas put it best today in labeling Alexis as a ‘soloist,’ which sums up his body of work on the pitch.  Alexis loves to square up to goal with the ball at his feet and take defenders on fearlessly.  At Barcelona, they prefer the free-flowing style of tiki-taka, so giving the ball to Alexis didn’t necessarily bode well for their run of play.  

At Arsenal, Alexis is more of a focal point on the field than he was with Barcelona, so the risk in putting him in is only magnified.  As opposed to Danny Welbeck, Alexis is prone to giving the ball away.  Welbeck was included in the side not just for his impact on the score sheet against Aston Villa, but also for his outstanding ball-retention and passing skills.  

On the other hand, taking a step back from the situation and looking at the bigger picture really makes one wonder how on earth he wasn’t included.  As an opposing manager, it has to be a welcome sight to see Alexis start on the bench; that in itself could warrant the Chileans inclusion in almost every big match.  

Rumblings out of Arsenal’s London Colney training ground suggested Alexis has the stamina and ambition of a six year old chugging green tea.  Two days after playing 90 minutes against Southampton, Alexis had to be told by several of the Arsenal players to ‘take it easy’ on what was supposed to be his second day of recovery.  

The eagerness and desire is there with the Chilean; that is something no one will ever doubt, so why not include him in a game of this magnitude?  Of all the things that have gone wrong for Arsenal this season so far, Alexis has been the biggest bright spot.  

Finally, a summer which saw Arsene Wenger fail to address the squad’s biggest need makes it hard to warrant the exclusion of the 35 million pound man.  ‘As long as the club isn’t going to spend money on the right players, why not play the ones they actually spent on?’ is a question many Gooners will be asking themselves after Saturday.  

Perhaps Alexis was a little too psyched up, or there’s something we don’t know about.  Regardless, it’s inexplicable for a player of his quality and energy to not be included in a game which calls for both in bulk

Plenty on the Line in the Merseyside Derby

Two teams no one expected to start so poorly will face off on Saturday in the season’s first edition of the Merseyside Derby.  Between the two, Everton and Liverpool have amassed just eleven points in 10 games.  

Both teams will be eager to impress in this early season showdown with more than a place in the table on the line.

Both clubs have lost three of their last four premier league fixtures, and both are without key contributors.  Missing out will be Everton’s young star Ross Barkley, while Daniel Sturridge faces an uphill battle in order to be ready for Saturday.  For Everton, Romelu Lukaku is hard at work repaying the transfer fee they doled out for him.  

It’s imperative that the Belgian steps up in big games and shows more consistency than last season.  His price tag means he’s expected to lead Everton through thick and thin, and although he was at times unstoppable for Everton on loan last year, he endured multiple scoring droughts among injury concerns.  

Everton’s biggest threat in this contest is Roberto Martinez.  Everton have only amassed five points in the league, but they’ve played better than that number suggests.  They dominated Arsenal for 75 minutes before squandering a two goal lead, and were involved in the instant-classic 6-3 match against Chelsea.  

Martinez will make sure his players know they’re doing the right things, but they need to be more precise.  Saturday could be a historic day for the Toffees, who haven’t beaten Liverpool at Anfield in 15 years.  Surely this is an excellent chance to put up a fight and maybe snatch a win, so plenty is on the line for the Spaniard.  

It was a formality last season that Everton would be hard to break down, regardless of their opponent.  Things have changed with the form of their aging core of defensive players.  With Sturridge very questionable, Mario Balotelli has another chance to impose his will once again on England.  

Balotelli will be going up against Sylvain Distin whose age is taking a toll on him, and an uncharacteristically struggling Phil Jagielka.  Tim Howard’s issues are a whole different story, but Roberto Martinez put to rest doubts about the resolve of his American shot-stopper.  

Balotelli and whoever starts alongside have a chance to inflict the same irreparable damage Liverpool were so accustomed to handing out in bulk with Suarez in the side.  Raheem Sterling should play a big part in the Derby too, as he has been by far Liverpool’s best player this term.

Steven Gerrard is one player whose leash is running short with the supporters.  Rodgers made a mistake playing Gerrard three times in eight days, because by the time West Ham came around he was running on fumes, left to protect a back four struggling enough already.    

I would expect Martin Skrtel to make a difference in his return to the lineup, as he usually does in big games at home.  Thus, either Dejan Lovren or Mamadou Sakho will be dropped.  Lovren’s struggles came to a head last weekend, and Sakho’s inability to head balls out of his own area cause much concern. 

Brendan Rodgers was hailed in the summer window for his swift and aggressive strategy following Suarez’ exit.  It’s only five games into the season, but dropping points at home to Everton of all clubs would put even more pressure on a squad failing to produce results.  

A win would be a massive result, and Rodgers would feel very good about his club going forward if they put on a show like they have in the past at Anfield.  A tie though, let alone a loss, wouldn’t bode well with supporters who have been so critical of Steven Gerrard in recent days.  

As for Everton, a solid showing and any points at all could serve as a springboard off of which to catapult back into the top four discussion.  On what could be a historic day for the Toffees, Liverpool must be more organized defensively and get a good showing out of their forwards or face the wrath of the Anfield faithful.  

Case for Rooney Wearing Thin

England has not been kind to Louis Van Gaal.  The Dutchman, under such lofty expectations from the start, has failed to conjure any consistent form out of his expensive squad.  Angel Di Maria proves his worth with every appearance, Ander Herrera shines more and more, and Daley Blind ideally fits what United need.  

The results however, are not there.  Robin Van Persie has struggled with injury and poor form, Radamel Falcao has yet to open his account and improve his fitness, while Wayne Rooney is justifying his inclusion in the starting eleven less and less.  

10 years ago, Rooney was hailed by many as the next big thing in world football.  Rooney has been the face of the Three Lions for quite some time now, but that's not saying much considering the English' recent performances in major tournaments.  

Since he was named captain by Van Gaal, Rooney has struggled in his new role.  United are constantly losing focus for periods of time in matches, the Leicester outing being the perfect example.  

To his credit, Rooney was sprinting back to cover Marcos Rojo’s errant positioning in the second half on Sunday.  His reaction to the third goal however, was an indication of vulnerability and the Englishman feeling a lot of pressure.  

Rooney’s inch-perfect cross to Dean Hammond on the edge of David De Gea’s penalty area was what set up Cambiasso’s equalizer, and instead of shouldering the blame, Rooney erupted.  He is right to demand more out of his teammates, but blaming everyone seconds after shanking a clearance is no way to handle the captaincy.

It’s also evident that Juan Mata could be a better option beneath Falcao and Van Persie.  With the Colombian in the mix, Rooney is likely to find playing time in the playmaker role.  In theory, this would be ideal for the soon-to-be 29 year old.  He doesn’t have the explosive burst he once used to such great effect, but has always been an above-average passer.  

However, Rooney’s recent performances have made many question his appointment of leadership, let alone his inclusion in the side at all.  Mata, David Moyes’ 37 million pound signing, is riding the bench currently, and when put on the pitch is forced out on the wing.  

Mata is the better natural playmaker between the two, and if granted a central role would flourish.  Like Mesut Ozil, Mata is a 360 degree playmaker who prefers to have options from the middle.  His Spanish flair would suit Van Gaal’s style more than Rooney’s English heart.  With players like Di Maria, Herrera, and Falcao in the side, Manchester United are a changing club.  

The times are changing at Old Trafford; the Red Devils have their first foreign manager and a lineup now dominated by non English players.  Much has been said about Juan Mata’s poor defending and Rooney’s fastidiousness in pursuit of the ball.  Right now though, United need a change, and there is a perfectly good opportunity sitting on the bench.  

Rooney is over-applying himself and giving the impression that he is trying too hard, both in a leadership and a footballing sense.  Some time out of the starting eleven would benefit all parties involved at United.  Rooney would of course play, but not every game and not exclusively in the #10 role.  For now though, Juan Mata should be better utilized starting in the middle of the attack.  

Alexis' Playing Style Indicative of Upbringing

On June 28th in Belo Horizonte, Chile nearly spared Brazil eventual humiliation at the hands of Germany  but were cruelly eliminated from the World Cup on penalties.  Led by Arturo Vidal and Alexis, Chile were one of the main attractions in their four game stint, providing entertainment at every turn.

Following Chile’s unfortunate exit from the World Cup, Arsenal capitalized on the availability of Alexis and made him the most expensive Chilean player in history by signing him from Barcelona.  Since then, Alexis has drawn the adoration of the Emirates crowd, and has scored in each of his last four appearances.  

Alexis, known in his home country as ‘El Nino Marvailla,’ or ‘the Wonder Kid,’ has enjoyed a fine start to his Arsenal tenure.  Aside from his impressive goal output so far, the Chilean has put on regular clinics in perseverance off the ball, often leading the line of pressing high up the field.  

Coming from the boarding school-like environment of Barcelona, Alexis must feel like an absolute rockstar at Arsenal.  He is given positional freedom, he’s almost guaranteed a spot in the side, he doesn’t have to drive the same car as the rest of the team, and he’s scoring goals.  

Times weren’t always this easy for Alexis. 

The third child of four, he was born into poverty in Chile.  His father abandoned the family when Alexis was a toddler, leaving his mother to work multiple jobs in order to at least try and provide for her children.  She would clean fish for the neighbors and sell flowers in her spare time just so the family wouldn’t starve.

From the age of six, Alexis was always working.  To make whatever he could, the youngster would perform acrobatics and dance in the street for people’s spare change.  Sometimes the tough boy, known to his friends and family back then as ‘the Squirrel’ for his endless reserve of energy, would even box in the streets just to earn a small keep.  

When the family didn’t have food, poor Alexis would resort to knocking on the neighbors’ doors looking for a spare piece of bread.  They gave him what they could, but poverty was the norm in and around the entire city.  

Growing up in Tocopilla, which literally means ‘Devil’s Corner,’ Alexis knew he was destined to be either a fisherman or a miner…that was unless he could escape the hard life he was handed through football.  

Not unlike Ronaldinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Alexis honed his skills as a child in the muddy streets of his hometown.  Unable to afford boots, Alexis played barefoot; his remarkable ball control is a testament to the surfaces on which he learned to play football.  

Eventually, Alexis was discovered by Club Arauco youth coach Alberto Toledo, who insisted on bringing the youngster to the club.  There wasn’t a chance in hell Alexis could pay the club fees, but Toledo couldn’t turn down the chance to bring in a lad with such irresistible quality.  

One game, unable to find transportation to the match on time, Alexis arrived late to discover his team had already gone down 1-0.  Like Bobby Boucher arriving at halftime in the Bourbon Bowl, Alexis came on and scored eight goals, more than enough to atone for his tardiness.  

It’s no surprise Alexis plays with the conviction and heart that he does.  While at Barcelona, Alexis injured himself when Barcelona were down a man and out of subs; Pep Guardiola was furious for having to play with nine men, but how can you be mad at a guy for playing hard?  

The way he plays on the pitch is representative of a life of hardship.  Nothing has ever come easy for the Chilean, and he of all people knows hard work can get you everywhere in life.

The one thing every Arsenal fan can agree on is how impressive Alexis’ work rate is.  His upbringing molded him into this tireless superstar, and Arsenal should rest easy that they have a player of massive character at the Emirates. 

Van Gaal Will Learn From Sunday

It comes as no surprise that Manchester United’s re-vamped squad have netted seven goals in their last two league games.  Ander Herrera has two in as many matches, Angel Di Maria is orchestrating almost all the offense, and Falcao came within inches of opening his Manchester United account when he rattled a majestic volley off the cross bar on Sunday.  

Yes, Van Gaal has accomplished one thing; he’s brought back flashes of the fluid football going forward that Sir Alex Ferguson’s sides were so adept at.  However, his team’s issues are still massive at the back, and his late-game management must improve as I’m sure it will.

It’s still unclear what system Van Gaal will prefer in the long haul.  Rafael and Marcos Rojo played as if United started with three in the back, their surging runs forward causing problems but their lazy defending punished as a consequence.  The penalty Rafael gave away to Jamie Vardy was harsh, but the Brazilian should know better than to react to a no-call by lunging in like that.  

Vardy caused problems for Rojo as well, beating him down the line to cross on Ulloa’s first goal.  Rojo was again exposed after he overlapped Juan Mata and left him as the last line of defense down the entire left flank.  When Argentina clamped down defensively in the World Cup, Rojo was more understanding of his role.  After two games, Rojo is already living up to his billing as undisciplined.  

He is no doubt a wonderful player, and Rafael is a proven player in the league.  However, Daley Blind cannot cover that much space, and leaving Tyler Blackett exposed is the last thing United can let happen on the field.  With the injury to Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling’s struggles, Van Gaal may want to instruct his fullbacks to tuck in and defend more.  

With that being said, the work put in by Ander Herrera and Angel Di Maria is impressive.  Right now, one could almost argue that the two wide midfield players in Van Gaal’s scheme are defending the flanks better than the two fullbacks are.  

The biggest error though, was taking Angel Di Maria off the pitch at 3-3 and replacing him with another attacking player, Juan Mata.  Taking Di Maria off was understandable; the game was headed toward an intense finish, and perhaps he still lacks match fitness.  The decision to replace him with Mata was what really did Van Gaal in for the day.

At this point, United were getting pummeled at the back and Leicester had just tied the contest.  Instead of buckling down in the midfield where Leicester were winning most of the battles, Van Gaal opted to go for it and put his most expensive bench player on the field.  

Darren Fletcher was much more appropriate in this situation, and this is an instance where the Dutchman’s arrogance failed him.  It was a blatant error, and everyone could see it.  Di Maria’s presence was immense, by far United’s best player.  Whenever he received the ball in midfield, the Argentine would storm the barn looking for an opportunity to create or surge forward.  

His exclusion in favor of Juan Mata did United in.  With the irresponsible Rojo making runs up field, Mata was left to patrol more than he is used to, and as a result Leicester scored a fourth with ease.  

With all things considered, labeling Louis Van Gaal as a failure already is unjust.  Like every manager new to England, he has to face baptism by fire when it comes to accumulating experience.  The recently promoted Foxes were underestimated and they made United pay, a testament to the difficulty and depth of the league as a whole.  

Manchester United also fielded five of their new signings on Sunday, which usually doesn’t produce consistent harmony in a team.  Van Gaal will apply his lessons learned from round five, while the players on the field will improve their own form or face the bench. 

Round Five: Studs & Duds

Studs

Frank Lampard, Manchester City: Don’t do a double take, that’s right, Frank Lampard plays for Manchester City now, at least for a few more months.  No one could have predicted this storyline a year ago, one which saw the former Chelsea man score the equalizer in a hotly contested match against the club he spent over a decade at.  His emotional goodbye to the traveling Chelsea supporters was a heartwarming sight, and his refusal to celebrate his goal showed his undeniable class.

The Leicester City Forwards: Leonardo Ulloa scored a booming header seconds after United extended their lead to 2-0, and later a spot kick after Jamie Vardy won the second of two penalties.  Vardy’s work-rate was inhuman on Sunday, while the eight million pounds Nigel Pearson paid for Ulloa is paying dividends.

Winston Reid, West Ham: Reid opened the scoring with a simple tap-in from James Tompkins’ flick off of an excellent Stewart Downing ball in.  Reid was constantly in the right place defensively, serving as a leader on the West Ham back line.  His goal was what started the momentum for the snatch-and-grab Hammers.

Ryan Bertrand, Southampton: Bertrand had expensive shoes to fill at the Saint Mary’s Stadium following Luke Shaw’s move to Manchester United, but the on-loan Chelsea man has proved his worth in the South.  Bertrand, billed as the successor to Ashley Cole a few years ago when he joined Stamford Bridge, is finally flashing the form we all expected of him back then. 

Mesut Ozil, Arsenal: “I don’t play to prove anything to anyone, I play for Arsenal.”  These were the words of Arsenal record signing Mesut Ozil in the morning papers, who silenced critics with a scintillating contribution at Villa Park on Monday.  Everyone points to the positional change as the reason for Ozil’s performance, but it’s nice to see the player confidently stand up for himself with both his words and his play on the pitch.  

Duds

Wilfried Bony, Swansea: Bony cost his side a chance to continue their strong start when he inexplicably earned himself two very bad yellow cards.  The second challenge on Maya Yoshida was unforgivable, and the suspension which follows the red card will further cost the Welsh club.  Credit to his teammates for keeping it close playing a man down for so long.   

Steven Gerrard, Liverpool: I called Gerrard’s display ‘spineless’ in my power rankings today, and after much contemplation, I concluded that this was not too harsh of a word to describe the former England captain.  Gerrard’s positioning as the only defensive midfielder doesn’t help him, but the one-club man’s influence is waning on Merseyside.  

Wayne Rooney, Manchester United: Rooney assisted on Di Maria’s mercurial tally in the first half, but otherwise struggled in the playmaking role for Manchester United.  The image of Wayne Rooney losing his head after Leicester tied the game won’t vacate twitter anytime soon, and neither will the speculations that Van Gaal chose the wrong man to captain his side.  

Tim Howard, Everton: It was unusual to see Howard make two such glaring errors.  First, Howard and Jon Stones had a collective brain fart, then the American missed his punch which led to Frazier Campbell’s goal.  As an American, I’m not used to seeing Howard make such awful mistakes.  

Liverpool Back Line: Between Manquillo, Lovren, Moreno, and Sakho, the Liverpool back line from Saturday’s horror show have one year of premier league experience.  Brendan Rodgers, known for his philosophies on the offensive side of the ball, may want to allocate more attention to his increasingly shaky back line led by a big-money signing who admitted to a lack in confidence early on.  

Round Five: Leicester, Palace, Hammers Rise

1. Chelsea (1): Perhaps unhappy to have not capitalized on the sending off of Pablo Zabaleta, Jose Mourinho will still be satisfied with one point at the Etihad Stadium.  Diego Costa's goal output is impressive but his temperament could cost Chelsea if it doesn't subside.  

2. Southampton (3): Ronald Koeman is manager of the year so far without a doubt.  This week, it was Victor Wanyama’s turn to play the hero, as the Nigerian came off the bench to sink Swansea on the road.  Roll on you Saints.  

3. Manchester City (2): Frank Lampard has proved his worth in each of his two appearances.  The former Stamford Bridge man looked embarrassed and apologetic after equalizing for the Citizens, but his last farewell to the Chelsea traveling fans would put a smile on even Fabio Capello’s face.  

4. Arsenal (4): On a weekend where Liverpool, City, United, Everton, and Tottenham all dropped points, Mesut Ozil stamped his influence on a three-goal outburst in the same amount of minutes.  The North London Derby beckons on Saturday. 

5. Leicester City (11): Enough cannot be said about Leicester’s resurgence in the top flight.  Jamie Vardy and Leonardo Ulloa led a stellar line of direct football against Manchester United.  Nigel Pearson’s unorthodox positioning up above during matches looks to be paying off for the Foxes.  

6. Aston Villa (6): There were plenty of positives to take from Aston Villa’s 3-0 loss to Arsenal on Saturday.  Had a nasty bug not taken hold of several players slated to play, this one could have been closer.  Paul Lambert cannot let his club slip into obscurity after just one bad day at the office.  

7. Swansea (6): On a weekend which saw Chelsea and Manchester City duke it out, England boss Roy Hodson’s attention was on this fixture.  Players like Nathan Dyer, Wayne Routledge, and Fraser Forster were unjustly denied a better opportunity to impress the England boss by Wilfried Bony’s overzealous pair of fouls on Maya Yoshida which resulted in a rightful sending off.  

8. Hull City (13): The purchase of Mohamed Diame is looking like one of the bargains of the summer, while the rest of Steve Bruce’s vast crop of recruits are settling in nicely at the KC stadium. 

9. Crystal Palace (16): A major, major result for Neil Warnock, who earned his first win as the Golden Eagles’ new boss.  Mile Jedinak’s leadership and the uncharacteristic errors of Tim Howard aided Palace to a much-needed victory at Goodison Park.  

10. West Ham (17): A fantastic atmosphere and an even better win will cool the critics regarding Sam Allardyce’s future.  Enner Valencia is looking to be an excellent signing, while former top-club players Stewart Downing and Alex Song impressed.  

11. Liverpool (7): Another spineless performance from Steven Gerrard allowed West Ham to snatch victory from the Reds at Upton Park.  Daniel Sturridge’s return could not come any sooner on Merseyside.  

12. Stoke City (14): Mark Hughes was denied a chance to exact total revenge on his former club Queens Park Rangers in a 2-2 draw.  Peter Crouch, who played for QPR as a youngster, scored for both teams in a game which twice saw Stoke surrender the lead.  

13. Everton (9): Tim Howard was strangely vulnerable in the home loss to Crystal Palace, misjudging a punch and failing to communicate with young Jon Stones on the second Palace goal.  The Toffees showed flashes of brilliance, but unforgivable errors at the back ultimately cost them.  

14. Tottenham (10): Since their two wins to start the season Tottenham have struggled.  A home loss to bottom feeders West Brom won’t do Spurs any favors, but shouts for the sacking of Mauricio Pochettino are ridiculous.  

15. Manchester United (8): Another plummet in the rankings for a disorganized and undisciplined United squad.  They showed how capable they are going forward but must do something about their gaping exposure at the increasingly unfit back line.  

16. Burnley (12): Sean Dyche missed a terrific opportunity to notch his first premier league win against Sunderland at Turf Moor.

17. West Brom (20): West Brom rebounded from a day at the Hawthorns with Everton which ended with the home fans booing their team off the pitch.  The Baggies were unlucky not to have won a first-half penalty, but a 74th minute James Morrison strike was the only goal in an uplifting win for a struggling club.  

18. Sunderland (15): Ashley Barnes’ late drive off the crossbar was the difference in what could have been another disappointing result for Gus Poyet.  Emmanuelle Giacherrini was a threat in an otherwise lethargic Black Cats team.  

19. Newcastle United (18): Alan Pardew avoided all-out anarchy on Tyneside when he saw his Magpies come back from a 2-0 deficit to earn a point.  His job is safe for now, but his leash must be running very thin.  

20. Queens Park Rangers (19): QPR’s start to the season, although not as terminally awful, is mirroring that of 2012/2013.  Harry Redknapp’s side dropped more points at home, not the best rebound to the 4-0 thrashing they endured at Old Trafford.  

Arsenal Find Balance, Ozil Enjoys Himself

Arsene Wenger firmly defended record signing Mesut Ozil in his pre-match press conference yesterday.  The Arsenal manager, along with the always-loyal contingent of Ozil fanatics, stuck by the German through his extensive dip in form, a shred of loyalty which paid off today at Villa Park. 

The obvious and correct assumption to make about Ozil’s excellent performance today is that playing him centrally makes all the difference.  Starting underneath Danny Welbeck, Ozil’s license to roam the pitch was returned to him.  

In recent matches, Ozil would start on the wing and still drift into the middle of the park, but starting him here makes a huge difference.  

This way, Ozil was able to pick up the ball in the middle with 360 degrees of options with which to choose from as opposed to being bogged down on one of the touchlines.  His movement off the ball was fantastic as well, maintaining a certain level of fluidity with his playmaking mate Cazorla.  

Early on, it was evident Ozil was enjoying himself.  His first touch was astronomically more confident than it has been since the start of the season, and a side that lacked Arsenal's two best players from last weeks 2-2 draw benefited as a result.   

However, the positional shift is just part of the reason why Ozil enjoyed such a fruitful afternoon.  Without Alexis and Jack Wilshere in the side, more space was allocated in the middle for the German, and as a result there was much less congestion in the area of the pitch he is most dangerous in. 

Wilshere had been arguably the best Gunner in the past two fixtures, but he can’t play every game, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Aaron Ramsey on the bench next time out for Arsenal.  He needs a rest, and his dip in form has reached a boiling point.  

Similarly, Alexis’ exclusion was also necessary, as the Chilean has been tireless in his recent performances which have yielded three goals in four games.  Santi Cazorla deserved his start today, as did Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who has been a spark plug in each of his substitute appearances for Arsenal.    

Without a doubt though, the confidence Arsene Wenger instills in his players was on full display today.  Ozil, so often criticized both fairly and unfairly in his Arsenal tenure, has always had the support of his manager.  

Patrick Vieira, captain of the Invincibles side from 2003-2004, claims that the French manager’s biggest strength is the trust he has in his players.  Through thick and thin, Wenger has trusted Ozil and made sure he keeps the billing as Arsenal’s biggest and most important signing.  

Wenger could have subbed the German later on, but opted to leave Ozil on the field; he was simply enjoying himself too much to be taken off.  

Going into the match, Aston Villa were lauded for their early-season form, but Arsenal had other ideas.  Playing Ozil underneath the striker had a lot of to with it, but the balance that Arsene Wenger found in his side was phenomenal.  

Today Arsenal featured a side without one player playing out of position; something we’re not very accustomed to seeing.  It isn’t necessarily about getting all of the best players on the field at once, it’s about getting the right ones, something Arsene Wenger nailed in today’s statement win on the road.  

Arsenal Face a Familiar Foe

Some rivalries live forever.  There are those which fizzle out and are forgotten, and some so ridiculous that not even those involved ever reconcile.  Then there’s the rivalry between Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane. 

Arsenal face a familiar face on Saturday when they travel to Villa Park to take on Paul Lambert’s red-hot Aston Villa side.  The two clubs don’t necessarily have a heated rivalry, but one of the men on the Villa touchline has quite a history with the North London club.

For nine intense years, Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira gave fans some of the most intense matches to date.  The two captains simply hated each other and had a hateful playing relationship to put it lightly.  The Battle of Old Trafford amidst Arsenal’s unbeaten 2003/2004 season comes to mind, as does the famous tunnel incident that took place before the opening whistle had even blown. 

It’s in Gooners’ blood to hate Keane, and it’s in Red Devils’ to hate Vieira.  There isn’t a personal rivalry in the league today that even sniffs at the feuds between these two giants of the past.  For Keane though, his new position as assistant manager at Aston Villa gives him a chance to exact some more pain on Arsenal. 

Defender Alan Hutton recently hailed the influence Keane has had on the squad, citing the former Manchester United man’s motivational skills and belief he holds in his players.  Similar to how Steve Bould has transformed the Arsenal back line in the last few years, Keane has added an extra bite to a side who feeds off positive energy and momentum. 

Fabian Delph is the poster-child for the club right now, as he recently won his first caps with England.  Delph’s call-up is indicative of the work the entire club has put in.  His inclusion in Roy Hodgson’s squad for Euro qualifiers gives hope to Tom Cleverley, whose once promising career spiraled and spiraled downward until he was promptly loaned to Villa on deadline day. 

Always lacking confidence with United, it will come as no surprise to see Cleverley reinvent himself under the tutelage of Lambert and Keane.  Often the scapegoat to supporters, the Englishman was never going to succeed at a club whose supporters want absolutely nothing to do with him.

Under Sir Alex Ferguson, Cleverley saw limited playing time in his favored position, and as a result his form and confidence were shot.  Keane, who less then a year ago called Ferguson ‘egotistical,’ will instill the same rebellious and fiery approach in Cleverley that he abided to in his playing days. 

Last December, Keane and Vieira together reconciled and re-lived all the epic battles in which they were involved.  In essence, this rivalry embodies the perfect personal rivalry in sports; two men who hate each other on the field, but one day have the respect and intelligence to acknowledge his counterpart’s passion and ability.

The Frenchman now manages the reserve squad at Manchester City, while the Irishman no longer associates himself with Manchester United.  The intensity of these two men’s rivalry will likely never be replicated in today’s more harshly policed style of play, but on Saturday expect every bit of Roy Keane’s hatred for Arsenal and passion to be injected into a hungry Aston Villa side.

The NFL's Starting XI

Suppose the NFL one day says to it’s athletes “we are closed for business, you guys have to find jobs elsewhere.”  That would really stink for the players, coaches, staffs, fans, and even the guys who sell churros at games.  I might add that this is not out of the realm of possibility given the recent “incidents” involving just about everything to do with the NFL.  

I have to warn you this is a hypothetical fantasy that you are about to read.  It's one of those things you think of when it's late at night and you're just about to go to bed, but all of the sudden you think "wow...what if?"   The talent that the NFL has on the field is unprecedented.  Consider all of these guys were born into soccer instead of football (I’ll use ‘soccer’ to avoid confusion); here’s how I would set them up.

GK: Jimmy Graham

Graham, a college basketball star at the University of Miami, is one of the better athletes in the NFL.  His recent emergence as the harbinger of the Saints' offense after just one year of college football is indicative to how skilled this guy really is.  At 6'7, he has the stature of Fraser Forster but with a 38 and a half inch vertical leap also has the athleticism of Jerome Boateng (see this picture from Wednesday and tell me the German wouldn't make a great tight end)

RB: Patrick Peterson

Peterson embodies what a traditional fullback is all about.  He is consensus world-class at his position, consistent, and has exceptional work rate.  Not only is Peterson an accomplished defender, he is always dangerous on offense at times, like he would be in soccer, storming up the pitch and helping out on the attack at times.  Peterson’s freakishly athletic abilities would only help him on set pieces, and his speed tracking is excellent.  It’s also worth noting that the picture above, taken last season, will go down as one of the most iconic pictures in NFL history; a matchup of the game’s best corner and the game’s best receiver.  

CB: JJ Watt

Standing 6’5, JJ Watt has exceptional height for the European game.  He definitely has the size and strength…he is a beast put it that way.  Watt is a captain on the Texans defense, which is led by this bullish pass rusher.  His athleticism is freakish, and he can score touchdowns as he proved in week two.  Of the two center backs, Watt is probably the less mobile, but the speed of Patrick Willis would more than cover for his lack of recovery speed on the soccer field.  

CB: Patrick Willis

Like Watt, Willis is a captain on defense, and like Watt, is one of the finer players in the entire league.  Willis is in the mould of a speedy sort of center back.  At 6’1 and possessing tremendous pace, it isn’t uncommon to see Willis chase down wide receivers easily.  He would make an outstanding center back, and would be a capable foil to the limited open-field mobility of Watt.  His leadership on the field, his ability to cover for teammates, and general habit of simply not letting anyone past him.  

LB: Richard Sherman 

Regularly patrolling the left half of the defense, Sherman is adept at shutting down an entire flank, but he doesn’t follow the best receiver around the field.  He is a spectacular defender no doubt, but for me would be the second best fullback on this team.  However, he is an offensive weapon equipped with the ability to quickly turn defense into offense.  A wide receiver and all-Pac-12 sprinter during his Stanford tenure, Sherman’s skill set and athleticism are world class, no doubt.  

LDM: Earl Thomas

Earl Thomas’ role on the soccer field would be near identical to his role on the football field.  Thomas isn’t the biggest guy at 5’10, but his ability to read the game and make plays would make him the perfect defensive midfielder.  In Seattle’s zone defense, Thomas plays a centerfield role, always cleaning up and providing support for his teammates.  On the soccer field, Thomas makes for the atypical security blanket to protect the back four, breaking up attacks and always strong in the tackle.  

RDM: Peyton Manning (captain)

One wouldn’t necessarily think “defensive midfielder” when they think Peyton Manning, but his role on a soccer field would be similar to that of Andrea Pirlo.  With proper protection from his midfield mate Thomas, Manning sits deep in the field and controls the flow of the game.  His ability to read the defense and go elsewhere with the ball is impeccable, as is his leadership.  Pirlo’s role doesn’t require him to make a lot of tackles or run a lot, so this position would suit the sheriff perfectly.

CAM: Andrew Luck

Imagine having the minds of Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck in the same XI…scary thought.  Luck gets the number ten role for his versatility in the offense.  Luck can lower his shoulder and pick up short yardage, his speed is underrated in the open field, and is already one of the finest pocket-passers in the NFL.  Since his freshman year at Stanford, Luck has been calling his own plays, so giving him the keys to the engine room in the attacking half wouldn’t be such a bad idea.  

LAM: CJ Spiller

Assuming he is right footed, Spiller has the illusiveness and quickness to be an effective left-sided winger who can cut infield.  Running between the tackles has never been Spiller’s strong suit, but his big-play potential always has defenses scrambling to contain his explosiveness.  In this XI, Spiller would be given a license to cut inside and interchange with the mobile Andrew Luck, whose team mentality makes it no problem to sacrifice space for this tricky winger.  

RAM: Chris Johnson

Johnson gets the spot in my XI solely because of his blistering pace.  Johnson’s 4.24 40 yard dash is an NFL combine record, a number better than Theo Walcott’s 4.42 result.  In his younger years, Johnson was a menace in the open field, gliding through challenges once he broke the first level of the defense.  Johnson has the pace and acceleration to be a terror down the right wing, and the timing of his runs bodes well for beating the offside trap.  

CF: Calvin Johnson

For fun, go tell a soccer coach you know of a guy that’s 6’5, runs a 4.5 40 yard dash, and can jump 42 and a half inches in the air and see what he says.  Those are Calvin Johnson’s numbers from the NFL combine, and all those say is that this guy is a freakish athlete.  He would be the perfect center forward because of his pace, understanding of diagonal routes and timing, and the fact that he’s an excellent finisher.  It’s a consensus that Johnson is the finest receiver in the NFL, and his ticket to the hall of fame is likely already punched.  

Injury Concerns for Liverpool

Tuesday was a monumental moment in recent history for Liverpool.  It had been 1,742 days since the men in Red had heard the Champions League anthem, and the display Anfield put on for the return of Europe’s flagship club competition was nothing short of spectacular.  

Liverpool marked their return to the Champions League with a 2-1 win over minnows Ludogrets on Tuesday, and travel to Upton park to take on Sam Allardyce’s struggling Hammers squad.  

However, the injury concerns continue to mount for Brendan Rodgers.  Albeit his squad remains deep, injuries to critical players mean new ones will have to step in big games.  

Daniel Sturridge looks read to return to full training next week, but there’s no guarantee that will be the case.  The club is in desperate need of some stability leading the line, so now is the time for Mario Balotelli to step up.  

Balotelli’s goal in his Champions League debut for Liverpool was well-taken, controlling a cross in the box and calmly slotting home to give the Reds a late lead they would eventually squander, but regain on a Steven Gerrard penalty.

Coutinho’s form has been subpar so far this season, unable to replicate the dazzling displays he put out in preseason.  Between Sturridge’s injury, Luis Suarez’ defection to Barcelona, and the Brazilian #10’s recent dip in form, three out of four of Liverpool’s incumbent goal-creators are all either out of form, out of the country, or out of fitness.

It’s imperative that whoever Liverpool play up front take their chances, whether it be Balotelli and Sterling, Sterling and Lambert, or just one of them.  Last week’s 1-0 loss to Aston Villa was a far cry from the goal-happy home fixtures we are so accustomed to seeing, so new faces have to step up. 

Even more concerning for Liverpool is news of the long-term injuries to Joe Allen and Jon Flanagan.

I would rate both Allen and Flanagan as two of the more underrated big-game performers in the league.  Flanagan plays the fullback position as good as anyone at the club; he can play on both sides of the pitch, and on both sides of the ball.  His inclusion was a mainstay in big games last season, and has yet to feature in the premier league this year.

Javier Manquillo is unproven and has yet to show proper positional discipline.  Meanwhile, the return of Glen Johnson to the squad is a frightening concept to Liverpool supporters who are fed up with his lazy defending and spineless long-range attempts on goal.  Regardless, one of them must step up and make it hard for Rodgers to pick the other.  

Rodgers made a point of signing Allen from Swansea upon his arrival to Anfield from the Welsh club.  Last season, Allen was often deployed in place of either Raheem Sterling or Coutinho in big games, showing the confidence his manager has in him.  Like Flanagan, he is a reliable footballer with excellent work-rate and versatility.  

Emre Can would be a capable replacement for Allen’s void in midfield, but the German has been ruled out until October.  Thus, the time is now for the new boys to step up and prove their worth. 

If last weekend yielded a chance for Mario Balotelli, this fixture with West Ham is surely more of an exam since he has had another full week to acclimate himself with his teammates.  If the likes of Balotelli, Coutinho, and whoever else gets the nod up front can produce, Liverpool will bounce back with ease.  

United Face Tougher Tests Ahead

The dust has settled, the rumors are over, and six new faces have joined the ranks at Old Trafford in the summer.  Louis Van Gaal’s re-vamped Manchester United side impressed in their last outing against Queens Park Rangers, but the coming weeks will be a better indication of how good this team really is.  

The win against QPR was albeit a spectacular match to watch from a red perspective, but as I have already stated beating arguably the worst premier league side at home is not a proper barometer for the caliber of this group.  

Angel Di Maria is drawing rave reviews after his first two performances for United, Ander Herrera marked his return from injury with a goal, while Daley Blind, Marcos Rojo, and Falcao each made their debuts last weekend.  To cap things off for the new boys, Jonny Evans declared Luke Shaw talented enough to be the best left back in the world today.  

Spirits are high at Old Trafford right now, but it’s imperative that Van Gaal decipher what system works best for this group, and also the personnel that will get the best out of the system (and vice versa).  Playing four in the back looks like the front-runner as of now, with Daley Blind’s two-way play justifying this formation.  

Thus, after a midweek rest during European competition, Van Gaal has had sufficient time on the training ground to figure out what works best for his team.  Between now and the end of November, United will face their first true tests of the season in the premier league.  

It starts this Sunday, when the Red Devils travel to Leicester and take on a group fresh off an upset win on the road at Stoke City.  Then, Van Gaal will take the Red Devils into a slightly more manageable fixture when they host West Ham six days later.  

The following Saturday, Manchester United host Everton in what will be Van Gaal’s toughest test to date.  The defensive midfield duo of James McCarthy and Gareth Barry are never easy to break down, and Roberto Martinez is more than capable of setting up his team accordingly to thwart United.  

After another two weeks rest, United travel to the Hawthornes and take on a desperate West Brom side, followed by an evening with Chelsea at Old Trafford on the 26th of October.

November is when United will be tested the most.  By then, expect a fully integrated squad with familiarity and confidence.  November second sees the first United derby of Van Gaal’s tenure, followed by a trip to the Emirates two games later on the 22nd.  

What benefits Manchester United in this upcoming schedule is that they only have to focus on one competition.  Champions League football is obviously not coming to Old Trafford this year, but their chances of bringing it back are boosted by this in itself.  

The tough part for the players will be staying patient and knowing their place in the squad with so fewer games to play.  The players have buy into the long-term goals of the club if they are to be competitive in the league this season. 

After just four games, United have accrued just five points while playing a very manageable schedule.  Going forward though, the absence of European football will help see this group through a rough transitional period as it did for Liverpool last year.  

Arsenal Must Improvise

Do what you can, where you are, with what you have was always an idea instilled in me growing up.  The transfer window closed two weeks ago, yet what seems to be the biggest concern among Arsenal fans still is the failure to sign a defensive midfielder.  

Rather than sit in front of a computer and find a creatively profane way to berate Arsene Wenger, Ivan Gazidis, or Mesut Ozil on twitter, one must look at what the club have available to them at this exact moment.  

Yesterday’s game against Borussia Dortmund was indicative of the fact that Mikel Arteta is not the answer at the base of midfield for Arsenal.  Arteta appears to be getting slower by the fixture, and his once sharp ball-retention isn't what it once was.  

Anyone who watches the Gunners knows that Mathieu Flamini is just as subpar of an option.  His intensity and work rate are outstanding, as is his on-field leadership.  Like Arteta though, he is slowing down physically.

Per Mertesacker and Laruent Koscielny have not been as sharp as they were last season thus far, but there is hardly any cover in front of them.  Arteta’s listless display showed a change is absolutely necessary, but since buying a top player is not an option for a few months, the Gunners must improvise.  

It wouldn’t be so farfetched of an idea to try and play Aaron Ramsey out of position at the base of midfield.  The Welshman has endured a poor start to the season, and albeit he has scored some clutch goals late on in matches, his overall quality cowers to that of last season’s.  

Ramsey is a tough tackler, an excellent passer, and his work rate is outstanding.  Arsenal fans will point to the fact that his offensive game lifts the team, but right now the Gunners are so thin in front of their back line that other needs must be addressed.  

Ramsey’s struggles are not as well-documented as those of Mesut Ozil, but they are arguably just as bad at the moment.  Dropping him into a deeper role may not be the flashiest move in the public eye, but who else does Arsenal have right now?

Ramsey would, of course, have to improvise as well.  His license to streak forward would have to be suspended, as would his affinity for audacious moves with the ball at his feet.  In the long run, it’s a stretch to say Ramsey’s future is in the defensive midfield.  But, that’s what Arsenal need right now and over time a simpler approach will benefit the Welshman’s overall game.  

People tend to forget that when Mikel Arteta was purchased from Everton, he was a #10, and not a steely midfielder.  Arteta has logged a few decent performances since Wenger moved him to a deeper role, but he doesn't have enough gas left in the tank to be the player Arsenal need.

For all the offensive weapons Arsenal have in midfield, they can afford to temporarily play someone out of position who has the quality to succeed there.  Jack Wilshere is another option, but he isn’t in the same physical mold as Ramsey and has a history of poor temperament. 

Calum Chambers is also an idea, and probably the best immediate solution.  However, Chambers’ talents right now need to be allocated to covering the thinnest back line in the premier league, especially given the fitness of Mathieu Debuchy and Nacho Monreal.  

The idea of Ramsey being utilized where Arteta currently is wouldn’t be a proper utilization of the Welshman’s talents.  However, it is a temporary solution, and could very well be the best one for Arsenal.  

Arsene Wenger will be keen to sign a defensive midfielder in January, but until then sacrifices must be made with what pieces are already at the club’s disposal.