If ever there was a game to illustrate Arsenal’s need for greater creativity in midfield, this was it. That might seem a strange assessment of a 2-1 win but, for all but a five-minute window against Sheffield United, they showed why Mikel Arteta has been on the lookout for an out-and-out playmaker over the last few weeks of the transfer window.
Having started Granit Xhaka in all but one game before this, including both trips to face Liverpool at Anfield last week, Arteta opted to rest him and partnered Dani Ceballos and Mohamed Elneny at the heart of his 3-4-3. Arsenal have played without anything resembling a No 10 this season and, while Ceballos and Elneny were both impressive in their own way, neither of them serves as an attacking lockpick.
Elneny showed some of the best aspects of his running game and shielded the back three diligently, while Ceballos took on the role of ball carrier and did his utmost to exploit the limited space between Sheffield United’s midfield and defence.
Ceballos made the best pass of the game early in the second half, clipping a ball through Sheffield United’s back line with one touch and almost finding the outstretched toe of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but it was a rare moment of genius.
Elneny’s formidable stamina saw him contribute to Bukayo Saka’s opener, charging into the box to receive a pass from Nicolas Pepe before moving it on to Aubameyang who, in turn, stroked it to Hector Bellerin. He then teed up Saka to nod home.
Nonetheless, Arsenal had been largely devoid of creativity in the first half and, against a team with more of a cutting edge going forwards, it might have cost them. As it was, Sheffield United were dogged, combative and organised but rarely threatened their monopoly on possession. It was instructive that both of Arsenal’s goals essentially came from out wide, with Willian and Pepe laying the groundwork for the opener with clever passing and footwork on the right flank.
Pepe’s goal a few minutes later was textbook wing play, Bellerin once again providing the killer ball for his teammate to sprint onto before he cut inside and slotted in from a tight angle.
Arsenal fans will be pleased to see Bellerin back to his old self, with Arteta seemingly encouraging his natural attacking instincts. That he got both assists and Saka scored from the left wing-back position was only further evidence that Arsenal’s attacking impetus mainly comes from the flanks.
Further forward, Willian has been used almost as a wide playmaker so far this season. He was subtly excellent once again, providing a quiet menace with the ball at his feet which, for all their energy and industry, Ceballos and Elneny lacked.
Though Elneny attempted a couple of Xhaka-esque quarterback passes from deep, Sheffield United’s defenders read them easily. While Xhaka’s long, raking balls upfield are among his main selling points, he is not an attacking lockpick so much as someone who tries to shoulder charge the door down. Brought on for Ceballos with around 10 minutes to play, he struggled to get a grip on the game as Sheffield United belatedly rallied.
Arteta seems to trust Xhaka and he is likely to continue as first choice in midfield this season, but in combination with one of Ceballos or Elneny he still doesn’t bring the requisite balance.
While nothing is ever certain in the transfer market, it now appears that Arsenal will struggle to complete a deal for Lyon playmaker Houssem Aouar before the end of Transfer Deadline Day.
While Arteta refused to be drawn on alternative targets, Thomas Partey, Jorginho and Boubakary Soumare are among those who have been mooted in the press. None of them fits quite the same profile as Aouar, who was Arsenal’s primary target for a reason. Time is running out to bring someone in, though it might be better to wait and get a specialist creative rather than add another midfielder for the sake of it.
Meanwhile, the fact that Arsenal are looking to the transfer market for a playmaker is another reminder of the hermit-like existence of Mesut Ozil. Left out of the matchday squad once again, a natural creative remains in the wilderness. If the club fails to secure a playmaker before the window closes, it might provide Ozil with one final opportunity. Whether he is ready to take it, only he knows.
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