The Anchorman

Who will be anchoring Arsenal's midfield this season?

With Mathieu Flamini swapping London for Milan, speculation has been rife as to whether Arsene Wenger will be replacing the tenacious, moderately-talented heel-snapper with an incoming transfer, or promoting from within. Flamini had been employed in a variety of positions during his four seasons at the club, and only rose to fame in the season just gone because of his consistent performances, high energy levels, tackling ability, and acute passing skills. It is an ironic twist of fate that he will be playing for AC Milan in September, as he was close to sealing a deal to Birmingham City, this time last year. Flatusso, as he was endearingly called by his team-mates, only gained a long run in the side due to Gilberto's fatigue from an enduring Copa America tournament with Brazil, in the summer of 2007. Will another unexpected force rise to prominence under Wenger's tutelage cum August? Or will he instead turn to the transfer market for his holding midfielder? When talking about summer signings, Wenger recently said he would be in the market for: ''one defense-minded player, and one creative player.'' One of the questions on Arsenal fans lips this summer will surely be who then, will be anchoring their midfield?

Gilberto Silva
Is ironically the man who Flamini ousted, only to be re-considered for the role he had made his own only a few years ago. Dubbed 'Volante' or 'The Invisible Wall', the former World Cup winner would offer cover for attacking wing-backs, Clichy and Sagna, and also for when Fabregas roams further up the pitch. Gilberto isn't the toughest tackler the Premiership has ever seen - he is more passive when he defends. At 6'3'' he would help aid the area Arsene wants to work on this summer - balls over the top. Do you think it is a coincidence that in Gilberto's absence the team suffered in this department? Flamini, at 5'10'' would not have been able to man-mark a target man as effectively as Gilberto, after all, Flamini's main strength was his energy.

Likelihood: Retrograde. Didn't take the chances offered to him last season. His stamina may now be an issue.


Miguel Veloso
This young defensive-midfielder from Portugal has recently been linked to North London, but mainly through his agent, Paulo Barbosa, who said: ''We have not had contact from the Arsenal board, but from a member of the technical staff at the club.'' If reports are to be believed then an offer of over £23.7million would be enough to activate a release clause in his contract with Sporting CP. Like Arsenal's former 'Running Man', the 22-year old is a utility man who has played all across the defensive line, as well as in the centre of midfield. After Veloso collected his winners medal in the Portuguese Cup at the end of last season, he said: ''I do not know if this is my last game for Sporting, lets see what the future holds for me.''

Likelihood: Unlikely, unless Sporting are willing to accept offers below the release clause.


Denilson Pereira Neves
The U20 Brazil captain was one of the brightest prospects at Arsenal when he first arrived at the club. He was touted, along with Lucas of Liverpool, as the future of the Brazilian midfield. Now, with the emergence of Anderson, and the regression of Denilson's form and ability last season, it is unclear where this leaves him. Arsene Wenger once described him as ''a mix of Tomas Rosicky and Gilberto Silva.''

Likelihood: Plausible. He needs to re-find his feet, first.


Mark Noble
Before the season came to a close, a sunday newspaper claimed that an insider at Arsenal had said: ''Mark's name was certainly mentioned as a potential signing in January, when the midfield situation was discussed but there was no approach. He will become a big target if Flamini decides to call it a day.'' Flamini did call it a day. The question remains: has Noble become a big target? Alan Pardew has lavished praise on the England U21 international, describing Noble as the the best prospect at the club, and went on to say: ''Mark is a capable holding midfielder, dictating games because he has the passing ability, the bite, and the will to the win.'' Whether or not Wenger respects Pardew's opinion remains to be seen, what with their decorated history.

Likelihood: Highly doubtful. Noble is a local Hammer, as are his family. What might swing the balance is Arsene's admission that he was looking at a player with 'Premiership experience', but this does not necessitate a move for Noble.


Vassiriki Abou Diaby
Diaby looked promising when Wenger snapped him up in the 2006 January transfer window, but he has never looked the same since he suffered a terrible broken and dislocated ankle. From some sections in the media Diaby has been touted as Vieira's heir: They are both powerful and leggy. Whilst Vieira revelled in the defensive role, Diaby looks preferable as an attacking midfielder. To the frustration of many Arsenal fans though, Diaby was continually deployed on the left flank last season. Presumably in a bid to build up his left foot. Since then, he has scored with his left peg, so to a certain extent, this aim has worked.

Likelihood: Unlikely.


Michael Johnson
Reports in May suggested that a trident of Liverpool; Tottenham ; and Arsenal, were keen on the 20-year old Mancunian. Comparisons have already been made between himself, and Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, which may seem premature, but his energy, drive, and general midfield ability are worthy of praise alone. A move for Johnson would also slot in nicely with Arsene's philosophy of recruiting young talent, and nurturing and developing it in his own, methodical way.

Likelihood. Unlikely. The main question is: would he be able to up his game another level and perform week-in week-out under the spotlights at the Emirates? With Johnson next to Fabregas, the midfield would just get younger.


Gareth Barry
Touted on other Arsenal blogs long after his name was put forth on the forums. In many ways is a direct replacement for Flamini - his versatility could be key. He can obviously hold his own in the middle of the park, and has put in some comfortable performances on the international stage, most recently threading an assist within seconds of coming on. However, should a long-term injury keep Clichy sidelined, and with Traore still a little too raw, Barry provides a great option at left back, and on the wing. Liverpool have long been courting the player who is set to return to pre-season training with Aston Villa. How he can look O Neill in the eye, let alone play for him again considering his recent comments remains to be seen.
Likelihood: Possible. Villa have chased Hoyte for some time now, add this to the fact that they are in need of a right back and a player plus cash deal doesn't seem too far fetched. Knows the Premier League inside out and could be an interesting acquisition indeed.


Alexandre Song Billong
The once maligned Cameroonian is now receiving praise for his coming of age. Recently rewarded with a long term contract thought to be a four year extension, it seems evident that he is a part of Wenger's long term plans. The 20-year old feature 15 times for the Arsenal first team last season, and played a starring role in Cameroon's march to the final of the African Cup of Nations, himself being awarded a place on the team of the tournament. He is a strong holding midfielder, but operated as a defender for the last five matches of the 2007-08 season. He is composed on the ball, and, when playing centre back, he enjoys dribbling out of defence - much in the same vein as Rio Ferdinand, or Lucio.

Likelihood: Possible. Song will feature heavily next season, but where? Wenger's pre-season set-up will offer more clues as to where he will play.

Yaya Toure
Toure would be an ideal replacement to fill the void that Flamini left in Arsenal's midfield. The Ivorian is held in high regard and is considered among the top midfielders in European football. Yaya Toure, younger brother of current Arsenal defender, Kolo, has impressive physical attributes, can hold and protect the ball, and, like Kolo, is a capable passer. He is widely seen as a box-to-box midfielder, so in this respect would presumably be a like-for-like replacement for Flamini. Txiki Begiristain, Barcelona's Director of Football, complicated a potential transfer a few weeks ago by stating: ''Yaya is not on the market... we want him to stay with us. Josep Guardiola considers him an important player in his new project.'' However, with the Catalan club's recent purchase of Seydou Keita, a hard-tackling Malian midfielder, together with their active pursuit of Aliaksandr Hleb and Emmanuel Adebayor, a swap plus cash deal might well be in the offing.
Likelihood: Plausible, but dependent on Barcelona's willingness to depart with a player they have only had on the books for one season, and Wenger's resurgence of interest in a player he had on a pre-season trial in 2002.


Kolo Toure
When Kolo played in the middle of the park at the beginning of his Arsenal career, in early European games, and was even regarded as a utility man - much like Flamini at the genesis of his Arsenal journey. He still has many of the attributes to be a success in that role. He is strong in the tackle, and playing further upfield with increase his opportunities of unleashing that beast of a shot we have all seen him revel in so many a time. He can also play clever passes, at the back end of last season he threaded a weighted pass through to Adebayor against Reading, and also for Van Persie against Derby, both in April. Moving Kolo into central midfield could also solve the chink in the Gunner's defensive armoury of balls over the top if Gallas was partnered with someone like, say, Song, who has increased his stock of late, or even a new signing. When Kolo has played wing back, however, his stamina has looked suspect. And this would be a worry in the 80th minute of a game if he can barely track back.
Likelihood: Possible, but unlikely. If Wenger was toying with this idea then he would have experimented this tactic at the end of the season while he was giving games to Song, rather than wait for the beginning of a new campaign. Pre-season will be key.


Aaron Ramsey
The Welsh whizz kid's role at Arsenal is up for debate. Some see him playing a Cescy role but out on the wing, others see him as a defensive midfielder. Bob Wilson, Arsenal's goalkeeping coach, said: ''The possibilities of Ramsey and Fabregas in the middle are endless. Ramsey is athletic, quick, and already has brilliant quality on the ball.''

Likelihood: Unlikely. Grooming him into a holding midfielder would surely stifle his attacking prowess. On the other hand, he has played across the defensive line for Cardiff, as well as the midfield. Either way, he will be restricted to Carling Cup games, and the occasional league outing, so for next season anyway, he will not be Arsenal's anchor.


Conclusion
The more likely candidates appear to already be at Arsenal. This time last year it would have been widely assumed that Gilberto would carry on his duties in that position. If one put forth Flamini’s name for the role, your views would have rightly been frowned upon followed by the words: ‘Jog on son.’ It is near enough impossible trying to second-guess Wenger, but God knows we love trying, so unless Arsenal sign Yaya Toure or Gareth Barry, expect Gilberto to do the job next season, with Diaby, Song and Denilson all getting their share of chances to earn that vacant starting spot.

By Alan Dawson