The best midfield in the Premier League: Arsenal, Spurs, Liverpool?
Arsenal’s exceptional run of 10 consecutive victories in all competitions has left them sitting pretty on top of the Premier League and in pole position, ahead of Borussia Dortmund and Napoli, in their Champions League group. It can, almost certainly, be attributed to their vastly improved performances in the centre of the pitch, but do they now have the best midfield in the Premier League?
Arsene Wenger was scolded by many of the club’s fans across what was looking like another barren summer in the transfer market. The wily Frenchman, it turned out, did have a plan. Tottenham’s loss was the Gunners’ gain as Mesut Ozil departed Real Madrid to let Gareth Bale complete his world record move to sunny Spain and, in a £42.5million deal, the German moved to the Emirates where, without kicking a football, he became an instant idol.
The German’s entrance was complemented by the re-signing of Mathieu Flamini on a free transfer from AC Milan as the French boss looked to add industry to his team alongside the fantasy of Ozil’s play.
An embarrassment of midfield riches is now at the disposal of Wenger, who rightly sported a mischievous smile as his plan fell into place. Aaron Ramsey has been reinvigorated this season and eight goals in eight games prove the Welsh midfielder is finally realising the potential he showed before he infamously broke his leg in February 2010.
This, along with Mikel Arteta’s slick passing game from deep, Jack Wilshere’s grit and guile, now coming from a more advanced role towards the left, Santi Cazorla’s majesty and Tomas Rosicky’s artistry, have left the Arsenal faithful in awe as they split defences and produce all manner of assists allowing French striker Olivier Giroud to net six strikes in ten games.
And Theo Walcott’s return will only further strengthen the Gunners, who are currently blooding youngster Serge Gnabry, too.
Here is just one line up Wenger could select…
But is this the really the best midfield the Premier League has to offer? talkSPORT explores the contenders...
Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal's north London rivals are definitely contenders for the honour. Bale’s protracted £85.3million move to Madrid looked like it could leave a gaping hole in the Spurs midfield, but Andre Villas-Boas and newly-appointed technical director Franco Baldini set about using the incoming cash to completely overhaul their midfield.
Box-to-box Brazilian Paulinho was the first to arrive at White Hart Lane and he is already making an impression with surging runs and defensive awareness. Etienne Capoue, a bruising man mountain and Belgian Nacer Chadli were drafted in to bolster a side already containing Mousa Dembele’s stylish endeavour and Sandro who, returning from two serious injuries, still represents a dominating presence in the middle but is yet to win back his starting spot.
Spurs also raided Dutch side Ajax for the second summer running, this time pilfering Danish starlet Christian Eriksen. The White Hart Lane faithful have taken quickly to the number ten after a delectable debut against Norwich City and a string of palatable performances since. Meanwhile, £30million man Erik Lamela is being kept out of the team by young English winger Andros Townsend on the right as a vastly improved Gylfi Sigurdsson cuts in from the left to provide a goal threat from wide.
And Villas-Boas can still call on German star Lewis Holtby and Aaron Lennon, once the flyer returns from injury.
Chelsea
Jose Mourinho has a problem. A summer spending spree means he now has a plethora of attacking midfield options to choose from. Even two-time Chelsea player of the year, Juan Mata, has found it hard to nail down a place in this Blues side with Oscar picking up his usual role in the hole and Eden Hazard’s trickery seemingly essential to the Portuguse manager. The club's £18million signing from Bayer Leverkusen, Andre Schurrle, appears to be improving with every game in west London, and this means Kevin De Bruyne and Brazilian Willian, despite commanding a £30million fee, have been marginalised so far.
Whoever Mourinho picks as his attacking trio, his side look weak in defensive midfield. Frank Lampard, 35, is showing signs he might not be able to perform to his high standards as father time slowly reins in his forays forward to search out goals. John Mikel Obi’s place in the Blues’ starting line up has been questioned recently and being hauled off at half-time of their 1-1 draw with Tottenham suggests he could soon be set for a spell on the bench. Ramires should slot into the vacated spot, especially with Marco van Ginkel set to miss the season with injury and Michael Essien yet to feature in the Premier League.
Manchester City
After Manuel Pellegrini’s City midfield completely overran Manchester United’s in their 4-1 win last month, it could be said their combination of power and panache is the best in the division, but they do lack depth.
Yaya Youre’s significant frame, charging runs, precise passing and defensive nous mean he is one of the best central midfielders in the Premier League. Alongside him is Brazilian summer signing Fernandinho, who already appears to be a solid acquisition, with Jack Rodwell, Javi Garcia and James Milner able to slot in when needed in the middle.
On the right-hand side of Pellegrini’s 4-2-2-2 formation is Jesus Navas. The spritely Spanish winger joined from Sevilla but is yet to find his feet, with only one assist in six appearances. On the left, though, Samir Nasri and David Silva are both competing for a starting place of their own. Silva slipped off the pace last season while Nasri’s languid attitude left him making cameos from the bench, but both players are now looking up for a battle, which will give their Chilean boss a selection headache throughout the campaign.
As Gareth Barry enjoys a renaissance on-loan at Everton, though, they could rue letting him leave if injuries strike.
Manchester United
David Moyes has definitely got his work cut out at Old Trafford. Their mauling at the hands of noisy neighbours Man City has shown just how weak their midfield has become. Missing out on Athletic Bilbao star Ander Herrera in the transfer window, and Darren Fletcher’s health issues, leave the Scotsman without a grafter in the middle to sit alongside Michael Carrick. Phil Jones and Anderson have both been given the chance to earn the role but neither have truly excelled.
Marouane Fellaini followed Moyes to Manchester from Everton in a £27.5million move but the Belgian is yet to win over the supporters, who appear happy to admonish the player for any mistake. Tom Cleverley’s ball retention is impressive, but with Wayne Rooney occupying the number 10 role he is only likely to win a starting spot if he can improve his defending and sit beside Carrick. Meanwhile, Shinji Kagawa remains underused by the Scotsman who seems unable to find a role for the undoubtedly talented Japan star who was so thrilling while with Borussia Dortmund.
Moyes’ biggest issue, though, is his wingers. Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia and Nani seem a long way from their best which, if it doesn’t change, could leave Robin van Persie feeding off scraps. Thankfully, Danny Welbeck is growing into a fine and industrious left-sided forward, but goals are evading his all-round good play. Wilfried Zaha will, surely, soon be tried on the right and if he hits the ground running could provide goals and assists. Adnan Januzaj is also pushing for a first-team spot after some promising cameos.
And, if all else fails, Ryan ‘Methuselah’ Giggs, remains a consistent presence in the Red Devils squad, but can he still produce when it matters?
Liverpool
Brendan Rodgers’ move to a 5-2-1-2 formation leaves a place in the midfield hard to come by a present, but the strength is in the system's simplicity. Captain fantastic, Steven Gerrard, remains the heartbeat of the Reds' engine room alongside Lucas Leiva, who is back to his best after injury problems. Without the injured Philippe Coutinho, Victor Moses will be seen drifting behind Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, but the fleet-footed Brazilian will be back in the first-team as soon as he is fit.
Should Rodgers fancy switching to a 4-3-3 he can always call on Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson, Luis Alberto and Jordan Ibe. Joe Allen remains out with a hamstring injury but will push Gerrard and Lucas for a place in the middle.
But who do you think has the best midfield in the Premier League? Does Arsenal’s position at the top of the Premier League confirm their irresistible style and class in the middle is worthy of the honour. Perhaps, Spurs and Chelsea can lay claim to the accolade due to their strength in depth? Does Manchester City’s balance earn them the right to call their midfield the top-flight's supreme engine room. Or, is it Liverpool's simple trio of Gerrard, Lucas and Coutinho?
Tell us your thoughts below…