Gamst Pedersen can solve Arsenal’s midfield goal woes

Amidst all the constant talk of Thierry Henry’s future, one piece of news has slipped largely unnoticed: Franck Ribery’s move to Bayern Munich. Ribery, the skilful but resilient midfielder who was so impressive in Germany last summer, was, potentially, a major source of midfield goals for Arsenal. Yet the London club were unwilling or unable to match Munich’s £17million bid. Their search for midfield goals continues.

Last season, Gilberto, with six goals from open play, was Arsenal’s top scorer from midfield. It was a stark contrast to previous seasons, when Freddy Ljungberg and Robert Pires invariably contributed double figures; Pires’ strike-rate in some campaigns was near to a goal every other game. Pires was not offered the contract he desired last summer; though in decline, he still managed 9 goals from midfield in ‘05/06. Ljungberg is only 30 and should be playing the best football of his career, but has lost pace and the knack of scoring crucial goals, and will be on his way from The Emirates this summer.

With Cesc Fabregas’ sterling progress not yet including scoring regularly – he managed a paltry four last season – the onus is on the new generation of wide men to fill the void left by Ljungberg and Pires. Yet Alexander Hleb is unconvincing in front of goal; Tomas Rosicky, though capable of spectacular strokes, rarely scores the types of strikes so typical of Ljungberg and Pires in their pomp; and Theo Walcott is yet to turn potential into consistent performance.

Ultimately, perhaps the biggest reason for Arsenal’s decline of the past two seasons is simply the absence of goals from the wide players. They have lost around 30 goals a season and, with Arsenal’s game reliant on forward support for the strikers, they have become much less penetrating. The incisive diagonal runs of Ljungberg and Pires, often fed by Dennis Bergkamp, were utterly invaluable facets of Arsenal’s spell of success, beginning with the exhilarating ‘01/02 campaign. The duo possessed a forward’s knack in front of goal; they were adroit at linking up with the strikers; and defences, so fearful of the players gliding in so score, were forced to devote the forwards more space.

Until this situation is resolved, it is hard to see how Arsenal’s fortunes can be significantly removed – unless Arsene Wenger is prepared to make a significant tactical change. The season-long presence of either Thierry Henry or Samuel Eto’o, along with Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor, does offer the tantalising prospect of Arsene Wenger altering his side’s style of play to a 4-3-3.

This formation would bear resemblance to the 4-1-4-1 formation utilised to great effect at Old Trafford and the Madjeski stadium before being hastily disbanded, and would certainly be an intriguing possibility. Adebayor would be ideally suited to being the central forward, while the rapidly improving van Persie, who contributed 13 goals in 17 starts last season, would relish playing in the right forward’s role, which he has been terrific for Holland in.

The position on the left would be occupied by either Henry or his replacement, with the vivacious, powerful Eto’o being the outstanding candidate. Eto’o is as close as you will find to a younger version of Henry and Arsenal must be prepared to pay big to sign him – even if they lose their skipper in the process.

Even if Wenger does opt for such tactical boldness, then it is undeniable they will require a more steady stream of goals from midfield. Rosicky will surely manage more than his four of his first season next campaign, while Fabregas should chip in with more regularity. Nonetheless a genuine goalscoring midfielder is essential if Arsenal are to progress.

At £3million, Yossi Benayoun could do a good job, but Blackburn’s creative Norwegian midfielder Morten Gamst Pedersen may be the man for Arsenal. Though currently too inconsistent, he is still reasonably young – 25 – and has illustrated his flair and panache on many occasions, as when he struck both goals in Blackburn’s win at Manchester United. Equally, he is also a big threat in the air – something Arsenal palpably need – and would surely be very interested in a move. However, Wenger must move soon – for Liverpool are also believed to be interested.

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