I made the mistake of tweeting:
”
BTW, our best player is out injured.”
I meant Ozil and was immediately inundated with tweets telling me how stupid I was and how Sanchez is easily our best player .
Well? Is that a fact?
No it’s not a fact, it’s an opinion and not one I concur with. Not yet anyway.
Before we go any farther let me say I think our shiny new toy is an exceptional player, truly world class. And a good argument can be made to say he is indeed our best player.
I suppose it comes down to what you like in a player. What qualities you admire the most and to which you personally give most weight .
Alexis has some outstanding qualities. Pace, fight, determination, bravery, composure, and work rate to name just some. But is he a complete player? He isn’t far off, but it’s far enough for me to still see Ozil as a better player.
I suppose it’s the same as when people tell me Henry is Arsenal’s greatest ever player. Because for me that would be Dennis Bergkamp, by a country mile, and then some.
Football is a team game. It’s played by individuals, but if they don’t play for each other the whole will always be less than the sum of the parts.
Bergkamp and Ozil are first and foremost team players. Individual glory does not come into their thinking or play. The right pass is played at the right time with the team in mind. It’s no good having a 30 goal striker if 30 goals is all the team gets. It’s not about how far they run or how quickly they run there, it’s about what contribution the runs make to the team.
People bang on about Sanchez work rate without really understanding that there is more than one way to work on the field. If the runs a player is making are always in the direction of the ball, it stands out. If (like Mesut) the runs are made into space, less so.
We notice people making runs off the ball if they are attempting to get in behind, but do we really see a player just gliding into space?
Alexis is mostly running towards the ball, whether to ask to be given it, or to retrieve it because he has just lost it. We see that.
Ozil is running into space and often away from the ball, plus he hardly ever loses it , so doesn’t have to chase to get it back.
The reality is that Ozil will normally cover more ground in a game than Alexis. That is usually ignored.
The most effective teams are balanced teams. That’s what Mesut brings to the table. He has vision for others while generally Alexis has his own vision in mind. What he is going to do himself.
But as I say, balance in a team is the key. A team of Ozils would be no good, nor would a team of Alexis. Lucky for us we have both.
So, if you think Sanchez, Aaron, Jack or anyone else is our best player, fine. That’s up to you. But for now I will stick with Mesut, a man I see as the perfect team player.
Positively Arsenal 
I have some Gooners tell me that both Ozil and Alexis are awful signings and a waste of money. Moaners know no bounds
LikeLike
I don’t know who is making the one man team comments, if anyone, as I haven’t read or watched it anywhere. If it is being said, it is pretty stupid but standard stuff. However, I do think without his goals while Theo and Giroud have been out, we would have suffered some real goal-scoring challenges so far.
And PG, as you should recall, no one apart from you defended Arshavin more stoutly for a longer time than I did. I believe that quality attackers should take some risks to make things happen.
LikeLike
I agree with Gains.
LikeLike
Some excellent comments tonight…..
LikeLike
Charlie George told me if you ask Dennis Bergkamp he would say that Thierry Henry was the best player ever to wear an Arsenal shirt, whereas if you asked Thierry Henry he says Dennis Bergkamp was the best player ever to wear an Arsenal shirt.
I hope one day when I’m old to hear an Arsenal legend say that Mesut and Alexis have similar views about one another.
Saddest thing for me this season is I think we’ve already seen the last proper first team contribution of Tomas Rosicky’s career. Could, and like Arshavin, should have gone down in history as one of the very best.
LikeLiked by 4 people
This, Goerge, is as bold a post as there is out there! I find that comparing players is the most difficult task ever because every player comes with strengths and weaknesses. Some players are mavericks while others are more conventional, some are ball passers and others like to take players on, some players are good on the ball and others are good in space. Some are good at reading and interception, others in covering and tackling. Some are lightening quick, others are battering rams…….and so on. Not to forget also that the different temperaments of these players (yes, they’re humans too) comes into play as well as their different technical and tactical strengths. Alexis and Mesut are two of the finest players in world football and I’m so chuffed that they are Arsenal players! I appreciate them both for what they bring to the team. That said, I would love to remind those who think Mesut doesn’t put in a shift defensively about our away game at BVB last season! We’re one up against the hosts and they counter attack us after one of ours had broken down. The ball is worked down our left hand side and a cross comes in that beats the centre backs and keeper, heading towards a Dortmund player for an easy tap in into an empty goal but guess who was there to clear the danger after sprinting from the Dortmund half all the way to our six yard box?………..Mesut Ozil!! He does defend too guys, he really does!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
We may see more of Rosicky in the second half if the season. Same as the last two? I hope so.
The injury gods tortured Rosicky. But he fought back and managed to return and torment Tottenham on a few occasions, and for me that alone is a great story. The run, the goal and celebration in the first 5pur2 game, the humbling of Rose, the rocket at the lane, coming on with Wilshere to help win the final…epic moments. “He kept on going and got his reward.”
Think I heard the crowd near the subs sing his song as he was warming up in the second half.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for a great article George! I can’t compare the two, apple and oranges but like others am very happy to have both in the team. Mesut is my favourite of the two, I sit mesmerized by his skill level and marvel at how easy he makes playing at that level look.
As for Alexis, he some player also, some one earlier mentioned electric Sanchez, no kidding! He’s impressed me by his speed and desire, he’s another with top skill level.
When I look at the team as a whole, the balance may be right to go all the way in the PL and if we can top our group, further in the CL.
COYG!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Meanwhile, as the debate rumbles on, Arsenal’s best player, Theo Walcott, who will not turn 26 until the end of this season, quietly goes about his rehabilitation, having noted with satisfaction the immediate impact he made to his side on his return to first team action.
He stayed, when lesser men didn’t. He pledged his faith in the Arsenal project most publicly, at a time when it might have seemed that the project was doomed. He scored the goals and provided the assists in the astonishing run of success that saw a top 4 finish against the odds, Lord Sugar et al looking balefully on as a 1-0 victory at St. James’s Park sealed the deal. A top 4 placing that ensured that finally dreams of Mesut would come true, and with him Cup glory, increased security and the power to attract the likes of Alexis.
Make no mistake, a fit Walcott, surrounded by real quality, will go on to be a proper Arsenal legend. Our quiet and modest true leader, the true jewel in the Emirates crown.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hear, hear, Foreverheady!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The harder it is to choose the best player, the better I like it. One man team, eh?
LikeLiked by 4 people
It’s unbelievable that there are still people spouting the “end of an era” drivel. Fans are already picking Arsene’s successor, with the usual suspects being named as better managers that’ll do better jobs! I’m completely and utterly flummoxed!
I really don’t know why I do this to myself!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
If this is the “end of an era” I am a banana.
Good grief it’s Tuesday already and I am looking forward to tonight. Unless I am much mistaken the Belgians are going to come roaring out tonight to try and recapture what they believe they let slip in Brussels a fortnight ago.
A very sharp opening quarter on the cards- take your seats early folks.
LikeLiked by 2 people
This is a delicious debate – wonderful, loving contributions I’d say.
It’s funny, but the thought went though my mind that – a seemingly former contributor might’ve expressed a fair bit of vitriol towards anyone choosing not to agree with his particular choice/analysis – on this one.
When I posted yesterday, I really wanted to mention Monreal, for his contributions since his arrival at Arsenal, but with special mention for his season thus far. Thing is, a view could be taken, whereby some may think/decide that Monreal is at Arsenal only to cover for Gibbs’ injuries (and who knows, Nacho might’ve thought that himself at times). Well, we don’t see that in his play! Just a solid, hard working professional.
The reason I didn’t write about this before was that I reckon those sorts of things could be said about all the Arsenal players – that they’re solid and hardworking, and more. And I didn’t want to single out who is best-est or wonderful-est.
Seeing that some folks have mentioned NM 18 (who by the way, has removed any “curse” associated with defenders and the number 18), I just wanted to point out that – I was thinking about NM before YOU! So, ya boo sucks (or whatever is the current vernacular).
Coat/Taxi…
LikeLiked by 2 people
By the way, the u-19’s game against Anderlecht is live on the Arsenal Player. KO is at 14:00 GMT.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No need to get your coat, Rantetta, or indeed, hail a taxi. Nacho has had an interesting time since arriving on deadline day back in January, 2013. Immediately loathed by many for not being the shiny new striker that we were told we desperately needed, he quietly went about the business of acclimatising in the middle of a hard northern winter. Some said that the plan had always been to sign him in the summer, but an injury crisis (what else) brought the move forward by a few months: others pointed to a panic buy in the left-over sales. I inclined to the former, of course, and liked the steeliness he seemed to bring. It hasn’t been all plain sailing though: the odd injury, an occasional mistake, and often being scapegoated for general defensive weakness on the left flank, left many supporters believing he was the worst player in the squad.
But last season I noted how often he was brought on when Gibbs was playing to secure victories by filling in in the left defensive midfield position, and it pleased me to see him deployed as a central defender in the close season and beyond. Touching wood he has been excellent this season, just as I suspect Arsene thought he had it in him to be, and his performance on Saturday was most assured and full of class. It seems to me that both Chambers and Monreal can be seen as decent stand-ins for Debuchy and Gibbs, as well as Per and Kos – but are also talented enough to be regarded as first-choice players in their own right.
LikeLiked by 4 people
“but are also talented enough to be regarded as first-choice players in their own right”
heresy
LikeLike
Thanks George.
Arsenal are indeed lucky to have both Ozil and Sanchez. It shows the ambitious direction the club is going in (isn’t that right, Robin?). I have absolutely no doubt the Boss has a strategy on how to play both of them together – perhaps with Giroud and Theo involved as well. The Ox will be the cover man for Ozil/Sanchez. I think the deeper two will be Ramsey/Wilshere for the future. Flamini – Arteta is just fine for the moment.
Thomas Rosicky will be kept as our victory cigar for matches – no better man with his experience to see out a game safely with 20 minutes to go. His performance against Southampton was worrisome as a game leader for 90 minutes though. I think when we are playing 3 games a week in the new year with cup runs etc. we will see more of TR7 and Poldi.
I was just reading that Real Madrid fans have voted for Luka Modric as their best Defensive Midfielder. That sort of completely re-defines what a DM is nowadays, doesn’t it? I will keep banging on about this – Arsenal won’t buy the ‘big beast’ DM people are clamouring for because we don’t need one and these people know fuck all about football compared to the Boss.
I hear Coq has been loaned out to Charlton.
LikeLiked by 3 people
FH, PG
Did you read the outrage over the promotion of Hayden and Bellerin to the first team proper? – it ruined the narrative for les miserables that we only had 6 defenders.
Imagine being that sort of fan?
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Boss said that if you wanted to look at the Brazil team of 1970, they played like they had 6 number 10’s. I’d be interested to see him trying it with our team:
Jack
Ox
Measut
Santi
Sanchez
Theo
Suicidal or no?
LikeLike
Surely a painless suicide that would bring on many changes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
DC, Aaron surly gets a place in that line up?
LikeLike
DC: yes, it must have come as a big surprise to Arsene to discover that Bellerin and Hayden were in the squad!
As I’ve noted before, established players with ambition won’t sign for clubs if they feel their way to a first team place is blocked, so in the defensive positions you either have to rely on up-and-comers as cover, or players at the end of their careers who are happy to sit on the bench. Depending on the philosophy of your club you choose one or the other, and it would seem to me crazy to profess to support a club whose philosophy you don’t agree with.
LikeLiked by 1 person
foreverheady:
I think Arsene has shown where defensive cover is concerned he’s content to swing both ways. If he has real young talent emerging and ready he is more than happy to rely upon them. If not : enter Sylvestre or Squilli from the wings. Also much depends on the market and who is available and at what price.
One thing is certain the Koscielny story proves that no matter who is in front of you in the pecking order – even if it’s the club captain, if you work hard, & put in the performances he will reward you with a place.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh and if Chambers isn’t a long term replacement for Per I’m a Dutchman.
LikeLiked by 2 people
There always used to be a fellow called “Dutch” in westerns.
LikeLiked by 1 person
One thing with Nacho that I think the gallant podcastateers etc. haven’t considered is that he is a lefty. And we know AW likes to have a left footed CB in the squad even of they aren’t a starter.
The second thing they haven’t considered is that the gaffer said quite obviously that he thinks it takes a player a handful of games to find their mojo. Or if that’s too many for some accept, they can take Arteta’s word for it – in the presser yesterday he said three games. Therefore having a player who will be playing LB and or CB means that they shouldn’t be ‘cold’ if they have to come in here and there. Even though the club were rumoured to have bid for a CB in the window, the above desire to have a player who could could cover both roles may and keep sharp may always have been a consideration. As well as any signings it may always have been on the cards. Certainly we all saw Monreal play CB in pre-season, although the self flagellating groaners might not like it someone somewhere was thinking about these things.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Or…maybe Nacho is only playing because Hayden is out injured? Hehe!
Just kidding, but Hayden is in the first team squad. Certainly he’s impressed in the brief opportunities he had had, more then, say, the older £30M Mangala. Though it’s true, I may be a little biased…
LikeLike
Fins: it is precisely that sort of bias that I am looking for here. I had a silly moment in the Club Shop on Saturday morning before the game when I idly considered buying a shirt just so I could get Monreal printed on the back. I then wondered if I’d be the only person in the world (apart from him) with a Monreal shirt: someone would know, I don’t.
LikeLike
Like most of Arsene’s plans, they only become obvious to the dimwitted, some years latter. Even then they insist it was blind luck. Like Kos becoming a superstar was blind luck.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Foreverheady,
Thanks. Your descriptions are spot on. I wouldn’t have been able to get a taxi. I’d have had to ride the bus.
It’s 1-1 between the youts of Ars & Anderlecht. Some nice play going on.
LikeLike
PG
Aaron of course (I ‘d have to face Kelly’s wrath).
I don’t see him as a long term number 10, I was just picking out some of our squad who can do that role, I left out Diaby and Rosicky too and they are very fine footballers.
I would suggest a more balanced Arsenal team would need more solidity than my little Gedankenexperiment. Would Arsenal win with 10 Bergkamps?
LikeLike
Rantetta
Plenty more seats are available in our little sunshine bus!
LikeLike
Pedantric George 1:44 pm
Not just westerns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEe7EraTeDs
LikeLike
Didi Hamman spouting the usual BOLLOCKS about Arsenal’s ambition. Even after the host listed what Arsenal have accomplished off the field these last ten years. He and others must do it just to wind me up.
LikeLike
didi should be asked what LFC’s ambition is after they rest most of their best player v Real Madrid tonight. These muppet pundits all follow the script laid out for them by their tv bosses, its a clear as day, the agenda is to promote the notion that Arsenal are in crisis etc etc.
LikeLike
“Like most of Arsene’s plans, they only become obvious to the dimwitted, some years latter. Even then they insist it was blind luck. Like Kos becoming a superstar was blind luck.”
hehehhehe.
i’m already waiting for us to win all the trophies in style in the next few years…football is dying and people like arsene wont let that happen..
first season arsene spent money he gave us a trophy..we could have so easily challenged for title..just give it sometime brothers..it was always going to happen
LikeLike
Arteta has been so very good tonight.
LikeLike
the superhero scores yet again
LikeLike
monreal owns the cb spot…i am inclined to think he is a bettrer cb than he is lb
LikeLike
Sanchez read George’s post and it got under his skin I think.
LikeLike
oh!! arteta!!
pirloesque really…what a game hes having
LikeLiked by 1 person
Arteta man of the match for me so far.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh and Wellbeck has obviously sussed whatever it was Sanchez was telling him he is running all the right lines and angles tonight.
LikeLike
If Monreal keeps playing like this then Kos might have to switch to being that DM I keep hearing about,
LikeLike
I said on twitter earlier ,that I still think Mikel is “the” key player in the team.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mikel certainly looks like the key player. The whole game changed when he was off.
LikeLike
Well I did say Anderlecht would come roaring out – and how foolish was that ?
Our performance in the final quarter was however limp as a soppy lettuce
Inexplicable
Still if you are going to collapse do it when you are 3-0 up
LikeLike
Anyway let’s tear into Dortmund – time for a sorting out
LikeLike
Fucking hell. Something went badly wrong.
LikeLike