Your Vision
YourVision - Is Wenger moving towards a 4-3-3 formation for the Arsenal?
11 May 2009
PLEASE NOTE THAT YOUR VISION ARTICLES ARE SENT IN BY READERS AND ARE NOT WRITTEN BY ARSENAL VISION WRITERS.
By DJ Dragonfly
During our recent games against Liverpool and Middlesbrough in the Premiership and Man United in the Champions League Semi-Finals, Wenger has been playing the team in a 4-2-3-1 formation, whilst playing Fabregas in the attacking playmaker role with Nasri deployed in the deep laying playmaker position; the area in which Fabregas is more accustomed to.
I have been wondering why Wenger has decided to make this tactical switch at such a critical stage of the season. There were occasions during Cesc’s absence that Nasri was becoming more influential for the team during the second half of matches when Wenger switched him into the middle of the park in order to improve our attacking/passing play from there. This transition must have highlighted to Wenger that a central position may be the best area for Nasri to display his full attributes.
However the deployment of these players in the 4-2-3-1 formation has had mixed results. Although Nasri has shone in the deep lying position (where he has showed an impressive work ethic and tracking back in order to close down the opposition attackers), Fabregas has struggled to adapt to the advanced attacking central role (this is despite him scoring two goals against Middlesbrough). At times, he has left a big gap between himself and Adebayor, which has resulted in Ade being starved of attacking support. In this role, Cesc has also had to move the ball a lot quicker than he had to do in his previous position.
Wenger has clearly seen the benefits of having Nasri in central midfield; however he has realised that Fabregas is much better operating in a deeper role, which is why I have come to the conclusion that I think Wenger is moving towards playing a 4-3-3 formation next season. I personally think this formation is the only way he is going to get the best out of both players in central midfield without them having to alter their game.
Here’s how the team would look:
Sagna Toure Gallas Clichy
Fabregas Song Nasri
Walcott Van Persie Arshavin
This formation has a lot of benefits for us, some of which I would like to highlight:
- As I mentioned earlier, this formation would allow Fabregas and Nasri to operate in central midfield, where no changes to their game will be altered.
- In this formation, the three midfielders would normally play close together in order to provide an extra barrier for the defence.
- The likes of Walcott, Van Persie and Arshavin are so adaptable; they would be able to interchange their positions at any given time during a game, which would confuse the opposition. Deploying three forwards would also allow the team to stretch the game even more, espacially in the wider areas.
- Critics and journalists alike have likened our play to Barcelona. They play with a 4-3-3 formation with the likes of Xavi and Iniesta in central midfield. Fabregas has been likened to Xavi and Nasri does play in a similar style to Iniesta.
I may be wrong, but the more and more I think about it, the more I am convinced that Wenger is slowly moving towards this formation. I think it would be an excellent move if he decides to use this tactic.
Are you in agreement with me? Look forward to reading your feedbacks in the comments section.
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I have also thought about this and wondered how it could benefit our squad, especially given the fact that we have so many central players and that our full backs bomb forward.
Tomas Rosicky is also another player when fit that can benefit from that system. Barcelona play that system to good effect so there is no reason why we cannot.
However Arsene hasn't used it very often which makes me think that he doesn't rate that system.
i) Reliance on everybody being fit. We know this will never happen for any sustained period. Replacements in goal, central defence and midfield are not there.
ii) The use of Song as the key central midfielder supported by Nasri and Fabbregas. These three would be nowhere near strong enough to win the battle against any of the top sides in my view. Song is 'ok' , but you are asking him to compete with Lampard/Ballack, Gerrard/Alonso and Fletcher/ Carrick or other similar combinations. This is not realistic. Nasri in particular would struggle to combine his defensive duties with widening the play and therefore our 'front three' would have to track back so nullifying their threat. We just wouldn't be able to run a game against that level of opposition in my view.
For example, Manchester United are currently the best team in England (at least)
They have a midfield of Carrick, Fletcher, Ronaldo and one of Park, Anderson, Scholes etc
None of those players are very powerful players, Anderson is energetic and strong but is hardly a powerhouse.
To my mind it is about organisation and working as a team. Which defensively we are not doing right now.
4-3-3. Exactly what you've thought.
However, we need a better player than Song to implement a system. Somebody who can make crunching tackles like Flamini.
But I think 4-3-3 will be the way forward for Arsenal.
If Wenger is to implement 4-3-3, we need better and pacy players in defence.
4-2-3-1 has clearly failed for Wenger.
almunia
sagna hangerland toure clichy
fabregas diaby nasri
rvp benzema arshavin
on the bench we might have walcott gibbs, rosicky, eduardo, bendtnar, ian hart, jouhan djourou,.
i know diaby has been awful this season but if u think back to the roma games home and away and ud realise tht if he cuts out his the stupidity and childish ways he could become a colussus in the heart of our midfield. this means tht wenger has to splash the cash i think jus over 30mil will be enough to get benzeman, hangerland cud cost jus over ten mil. ade wud be sold for abt 2omil gallas has a year left and we shouldnt wait him to do a bosman, 7to 8mil wud be good for him . senderous should be sold possible 3mil for him add all tht up and we get abt 30mil. i am sure the board can cough up 15mil in addition to get the players we want. and the board must know tht finishing higher up the leauge and champions gets the club more money.
Have a look at some of the following options:
Almunia
Sagna Toure Gallas Clichy
Fabregas Song Nasri
Walcott Van Persie Arshavin
Almunia
Sagna Toure Djourou Clichy
Fabregas Denilson Rosicky
Arshavin Bendtner Nasri
Almunia
Eboue Toure Silvestre Gibbs
Fabregas Diaby Rosicky
Van Persie Eduardo Arshavin
Almunia
Sagna Toure Gallas Clichy
Denilson Ramsey Fabregas
Rosicky Adebayor Vela
All of the above line-ups would give any team in the Premiership (as well as in Europe) a hard time in any game situation. The formation also offers a lot of flexibility. This formation is staring Wenger in the face. He has to utilise it.
It allows Wenger to have 5 in midfield like he does in big games but it also gives the flexibility to support our striker.
Cesc, Nasri, Van Persie, Denilson, Song, Rosicky, Arshavin, Diaby and Eduardo are all central players and we could fit our strongest players in a system that suits them.
WE NEED A DM WHO CAN DEFEND
In you formation please tell me which of the front 6 can trck back like Rooney and Ronaldo?
I've always been a fan of a potential 4-3-3. A lot of it depends on how much work the midfield trio get through, because in that formation (and with our personnel) the wide attackers will do little defending. For instance at United, at least two of their three midfielders are workhorses: Fletcher, Hargreaves, Anderson, Park, Carrick allied to the more creative Scholes and Giggs (Carrick can do both roles). This gives the perfect platform for the front trio to wreak havoc.
DJD, in the midfield you've listed (which would also be my first choice), only Song is the out and out defensive player. This could leave our defence over-exposed, which can be fatal because our backline is far from great. Barca have pulled off a 4-3-3 with only one per se defensive midfielder (Yaya Toure), but they are not watertight at the back and get away with it because they score so many goals.
So i guess what i'm trying to say is it'd work IF our frontline was more efficient. Arshavin - fine. Theo - i have faith in him. RvP/Ade/Bendtner - the jury's out. Eddie/Vela - lethal, but strong enough to lead the line?
As for Theo, i'd almost always start him because he offers something different. Even when his end product is lacking, he stretches the play by sticking to his touchline and is a good outlet for the Cesc ball over the top. Without him (assuming you play a Nasri/Rosicky/Diaby type instead), i reckon we may be too much sideways passing and not enough penetration. Indeed, i reckon he would be best served in a front three because it'll take away defensive responsibilities at which he is not natural.
What are your reservations about him Ole?
but like the other guys i think we need a stronger and better and more pacy guy than song for this to work...I suggest bringing in Alonso from l'pool, yaya toure from barca or bring back Flamster...Also if we could get Albiol or someone in his mould in defence i think this team would destroy everything in their path!
new goalkepper also please, IN ARSENE WE TRUST
@ Squid Boy - I'm really happy that you have found this article very insightful. The different styles of forwards we have at the club is so exciting, it's frightening. Each of our forwards (apart from Adebayor)are flexible and can adapt to any position with the front three slots.
@ ML - I would go as far as saying that when all of our players are fit, we have more options to cater for the 4-3-3 formation than Barcelona.
I think 4-3-3 can work in its ways. But I personally still like 4-4-2 best with variations into 4-4-1-1 and 4-2-3-1.
The weakness of a 4-3-3 in an offensive team is possession. If we can't keep possesion we get overrun. A 4-4-2 naturally offers more balance if we can find the right CM combination.
Two box-to-box guys who can each hold his own in defence. And two wide men who track back constantly.
As long as we have rubbish like Diaby,Denilson Song Eboue and Adebayor at the club we dont stand a chance.Formations my Arse the problem is Wenger
Back then we were playing a 4-4-2 formation. Due to Adam's concerns about the team's defensive deficiencies, Wenger changed the formation to a 4-2-3-1 strategy, where he moved Petit and Vieira back in front of the back four in order to provide a shield to the defence, which then allowed the likes of Parlour, Bergkamp and Overmars to support the likes of Anelka and after he departed, Thierry Henry.
Without the moans from the players and supporters, this change may never have happened.
Almunia
Sagna Toure Hangeland Clichy
Fabregas Senna Nasri
Arshavin Adebayor Villa
Tell me honestly this wouldnt work for us! i think that is a title winning squad!
...............................................Almunia/Fabianski.........................................
..........................................................................................................................
................................Toure/Djourou..........Gallas/Senderos.......................
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
Sagna/Eboue..........................................................................Clichy/Gibbs
..........................................................................................................................
............................................Denilson/Song/Clichy.......................................
..........................................................................................................................
..................Song/Eboue/Ramsey............Diaby/Nasri/Traore...................
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
..............Walcott/Arshavin/Nasri......................Arshavin/Vela/Nasri..........
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................Ade/Bendtner/Eduardo......................................
...............................................Almunia/Fabianski.........................................
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
................................Toure/Djourou..........Gallas/Senderos.......................
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
Sagna/Eboue..........................................................................Clichy/Gibbs
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
....................Denilson/Eboue/Rambo......Song/Traore/Nasri..................
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
........................................Diaby/Bendtner/Nasri/Rambo.............................
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
......Walcott/Arshavin/Nasri.....................Arshavin/Diaby/Nasri/Vela.......
..........................................................................................................................
...........................................Ade/Bendtner/Eduardo/Vela.............................
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
....................................................Toure/Gallas..............................................
..........................................................................................................................
...................Djourou/Song/Toure...............Song/Gallas/Djourou.......................................................................................................................................
Sagna/Eboue..........................................................................Clichy/Gibbs
..........................................................................................................................
............................................Denilson/Song/Clichy......................................
..........................................................................................................................
......................................Diaby/Nasri/Bendtner/Rambo..............................
..........................................................................................................................
................Walcott/Arshavin/Nasri..............Arshavin/Diaby/Nasri/Vela....
..........................................................................................................................
...........................Adebayor/Bendtner/Eduardo/Vela/Walcott....................
Toure or Gallas would make an excellent sweeper plus we know how much they both like to attack so this kind of formation could well succceed with the man from deep attacking.
I have posted many times before about the benefits of a 4-3-3 which is complimentary for our squad yet get ridiculed for my supposed lack of knowledge of football and now everyone is advocating the benefits of such a system. Go check out the previous articles for proof of my postings.
The rest of the squad should be kept at all costs and we still need to buy a defender. Lescott, Hangeland, Distin, Sako or Zapata.
Bring back Senderos. He is perfect partner for Toure. Djourou is perfect partner for Gallas. When Gallas and Toure retire we will see an all swiss centre back pairing in Senderos and Djourou.
Fabregas should be sold because he has no position to call his own. He is often wandering around the pitch not contributing defensively or providing any real threat when attacking.
Our team is very limited when he plays as evidenced by our recent humiliations and we are often carrying Fabregas because he is so poor, Add to this the lazy antics of Adebayor and the ineffectiveness of Van Persie then we are really playing with only 8 players who are working their socks off.
EVERY GAME WE HAVE LOST FEATURED FABREGAS.
He is no longer our best player.
A Denilson, Diaby , Song is the future midfield for Arsenal and I expect to see more of these 3 in action next season. It is blatantly obvious that these 3 play best together and we have looked at our best when they have done so. Song is much like Essien, a high tackling midfielder so is not suited for the defensive midfield role. Denilson is the most defensive minded midfielder and seems now to be happiest sitting back and intercepting allowing Song and Diaby to roam and own the midfield.
Diaby and Bendtner are probably our biggest two hopes and most likely to be superstars.
Bendtner is not a lone striker but a second striker who is more adept at this role than Van Persie.
Diaby is not a defensive midfielder but he is an attacking midfielder who can play pretty much anywhere and may well end up as a second striker now that we have Nasri who is more adept to life in central midfield than Fabregas.
I would be willing to give Adebayor another chance if he truly makes an effort. If not, then he really should be should and we should purchase another tall centre forwward who can play lone striker with Bendtner supporting then our team would be a big one.
Clichy is in real trouble with the emergence of Gibbs and my only hope is that this level of competition will drive both players forward to a greater level.
Eboue is essential. Can play RB, LB, CDM, AM, RM and LM. What a player and fast gaining a cult hero status. Long may he continue to improve. Glad to see his cheating and diving a thing of the past. I have a feeling that he is gonna start banging in some goals more often than not.
Why has Arsene refrained from unleasing Vela this season? In my opinion he is more developed than Walcott and any concerns about physical strength then you should watch our games against Wigan and Portsmouth where he shrugged off both Titus Bramble and Sylvian Distin. No mean feat. Maybe Wenger is trying to protect him for over exposure to the media much like he did with Walcott.
So really what I'm trying to say is that the squad is fine as it is. we just need to make best use of the resources that we have.
This can be dynamically changed in game with an offensively minded 4-3-3 switching to a 4-5-1 when defensing. The emphasis would be on one of our attacking midfielders dropping depper and our wing forwards dropping back to link up with midfield and defence.
I would further like to add that all of these group of players have now got at least one years experience and suffered the mental anguish of defeat in the latter stages of the cup competitions this should mean that they are all better prepared for next season.
I expect to see the likes of Jay Simpson, Jack Wilshere, Armand Traore be included in the first team and possibly feature in some games.
Add to this, Rosicksy coming back from injury for a welcome boost even if it means he is more likely to be sitting on the bench now that we have some quality midfielders and forwards then we should expect to dominate.
So really all we need is a defender and a defensively minded midfielder.
SAKO, ZAPATA, BASSONG, LESCOTT are the type of defenders we should be in the market for.
As for defensive midfielders I can only see LORIK CANA improving our squad. His leadership qualities, tough tackling nature, energy and pace is exactly what we need not the languid styles of ALONSO, BARRY, VELOSO. I havn't seen much of INLER to comment.
Those of you who think that ALONSO would be perfect partner for Fabregas then get real. IF we go down that route then we will well and truly get arse fucked. ALONSO and XAVI is the type of player that Fabregas should aspire to be, i.e., a deep lying playmaker. Right now he is too weak but wil be at his best by 25. That's 3 and a bit years away and with constant rumours about him circulating and his continuing admirations for the biggest clubs makes me think its time to get rid of. We havn't won anything for the last 4 years exactly the length of time that VAN PERSIE AND FABREGAS have been at our club.
It's bleeding obvious what needs to be done, Wenger just needs to have the guts to do it. He is the greatest ambassador for young players and its time he showed faith in the youngsters.
Cesc is sh!t? You are a lunatic to think that Diaby is better than him! hahaha... you do know that April fools day has passed don't you as your posts are for that day and that day only....
Perhaps the problem this season has been the incorrect balance at CM. i.e. Cesc has been playing with inadequate partners in the middle and then for some ridiculous reason, Wenger decides to play his best central midfield player which has been proven over the last 3 years, somewhere other than midfield!!!!
I'm not calling for Wengers head, but he has a lot to answer for this season and it's certainly been one of his worst in many of his decisions.
He's been playing so many players out of position, it's boardering on lunacy. Cesc in 'the hole', Nasri CM, Eboue almost anywhere but his best position or RB, RVP out wide left, Denilson out wide, Bendtner out wide.... oh and one problem is he's been playing Diaby, who doesn't have a position.
Whether Diaby will become a decent player remains to be seen. His pathetic injury record doesn't allow him to compete for a position half the time. When he does play, he's had a couple of good games and the rest woeful. For people to compare him to Vieira is disrespectful to Vieira....
What Wenger needs to do is add some quality and experience.
Personally, I'd ditch Diaby and Adebayor. Ade is a mercenary who only plays when he feels like it and swans around saying he's now one of the best strikers in the world? Eh... you have to win things and prove that not let you agent tell you that!!! He had 1 good season, that's it.... Diaby I've already gone over.... In 3/4 years with Arsenal, he's done virtually nothing - nothing that Aaron Ramsey hasn't done in 1 season.
We need 1/2 defenders. Toure is past his best and has been for a while, possibly Silvestre too.
We do need a CM, quality and proven. Cesc should play at CM, not anywhere else. Having this would allow Song and Denilson to develop and learn more rather than being thrust into the lime light EVERY week and then getting crucified for any mistakes or poor performancs.
We've tried the youth project for 4 years and it hasn't worked.... I'm not saying ditch all the youngsters, but we need to add numbers and quality to the squad. The board need to tell Wenger to adjust his policy....
Diaby is better than Cesc. He's been at the club for 3 years and this is his first full season after having his ankle broken. Get you facts straight you twat.
Cesc cannot play anywhere. We've tried and failed.
You really are a twit of the highest magnitude.
I wil be happy to see the back of Fabregas and Van Persie. As long as this pathetic couple of weaklings are in the squad, we will acheive nothing.
diaby better than cesc???? hahahahaahaa
cesc has carried this team the last three years and although i admit he hasnt had a good season....you fill a sqaud with average players and the class ones will suffer... not just cesc but sagna and clichy have sufered too this season...
we know cescs position.... hes a CM playmaker.... but wengers playing him has striker DM winger simply because he doesnt trust the rest....
diabys a fucking joke....hes one stupid footballer....hes not even in the same league as cesc and never will be......he cannot read the game and isnt aware of what arround him....hence why he holds onto the ball for too long or just loses it....diabys dumb....
its diaby who doesnt have a position.....hes played every where and has been shit everywhere....
IMO we have only two top top top class players in the squad.... AA and cesc.... why get rid of one of them when the squad is crying out for more......
we build this team around AA and cesc.... we find defenders who can defend and we find a box to box midfielder and we find a striker that doesnt need 10 shots to score a goal....and we are getting somewhere
if we got a bid for 50mil then yes i would consider cesc leaving because that sort of money would rebuild the midfield with top players but anything less and we shouldnt consider it....
@Arseman - I echo your thoughts about bring in 2 central defenders in the summer.
The youth project hasn't failed. You can't say the likes of Vela, Bendtner, Gibbs, Denilson, Song and Ramsey haven't been successes this season. Every single one of them has improved their performance levels from last season.
@ Jav - sorry mate, but Diaby is not better than Fabregas. Fabregas can be put in the world class bracket. Diaby is not on that level yet.
Diaby is at his best playing either in central midfield or behind the main striker. In the games where he is played in these areas this season, he has really shone, however I do feel sorry for him when Wenger plays him on the left wing, because he offers us no pace, width or any crossing opportunities in that area.
Wenger has to stop playing him out of position and play him in the areas where he is most effective..
Also to say Van Persie is a weakling is a poor error of judgement. Ok the guy is injury prone, however I have always stated that if he manages to stay relatively injury free, he is one of the best attacking players in Europe.
He has been our best player this season. Just have a look at his stats from this campaign:
- 18 goals in 36 games (In all competitions. That works out a goal every 2 games)
- 14 Assists
If you're telling me we have to sell a player of this calibre, then you really don't know the signs of a quality player.
You made an excellent point about Gibbs. He has been outstanding for us this season and Clichy really does need to watch his back. I can only see this guy getting better and better.
@Jav, sorry mate, I disagree with absolutely everything you've said.
Arsenal is no longer a counter attacking team, it is a possession team, we do not have enough players for a counter attacking unit. Maybe a front 3 of Arshavin-Eduardo-Walcott may do that, but i am not convinced they could do it for 40 plus games a season.
Deducing our most optimal system, we must look at what will be constant. We will always have 4 defenders, and i think we should always have 2 strikers, it is a big waste of resources having 5 strikers and only playing 1.
Thus it leaves space for 4 midfielders, Fabregas is a deeplying player, Nasri is a midfield organizer more geared to the attack, Arshavin loves the final pass closer to goal. Hence we should look more towards a 4-3-1-2 or 4-3-2-1. It will be very narrow, but how many goals have we scored from opening the pitch up with Nasri and Walcott out wide? Not many, we love to pass, let the full backs provide the width.
GK
Defence
Fabregas-Denilson-Nasri
Arshavin
Strikers
or GK
Defence
Fabregas-Denilson-Nasri
Arshavin-Rosicky/Walcott
Striker
Think of it like AC Milan who use this style very very well.
I wonder what team Wenger will put out against Man U on the 16th. I do hope Fabregas and Adebayor arn't included, perhaps then we could give them more of a challenge.
Been a gooner since before Wenger's era and I've seen many great players come and leave but I truly am bemused by what people see in Fabregas. He will never be as good as Viera or Petit was.
My money is on Fab4 leaving if the right offer comes in sooner, rather than later.
Diaby and Bendtner will be big next season. You heard it hear first.
I am somewhat simpathetic towards the guy coz its not easy to come back and play football when your ankle has been shattered and dislocated. I think he is doing a marvelous job and will only get better,
In defence of Denilson. He is one of the best midfielders in the league and the best defensive midfielder in many stats. He is only 20 and in his first full season. He has the potential to be best in the world in midfield. That's not just me saying it, our best player (Arshavin) has recently come out and defended him because of so many ill informed gooners criticizing him. The team should revolve around him.
I think Wenger is fantastic in terms of setting up the youth system at the club, the players he's found and developed. But for me, the first team squad can't survive by having too many of these type of players.
JAV - here's some facts.... FACTS!! Diaby joined in Jan 2006, got done his ankle late that season, May was it? Recovered and was back 'fit' by late 2006. Therefore he's since had about 3 seasons worth of games that he could've appeared in.
But he's been injured far too often. Not big injuries since he recovered from the ankle break, but niggly injuries that bring into question his fitness.
I believe he does have talent, but the FACT is he's stood still ever since he joined because he always in the treatment room. He hasn't developed. You occasionally see a good game or a nice piece of skill like Villa away this season, but then that gets wiped out for all his bad games or bad decisions, like trying to dribble his way out of his own area.
Im not saying Cesc has had a great season, but then no one has really. We've seen some youngstrs emerge with some credit, a la Gibbs. But Diaby, yet again has proven all he's good at really and this IS proven, is getting injured!! He was penciled in to replace flamini at the start of the season, but low and behold he got injured again.
Until such time that he can stay fit, we'll never know if he can develop. And then how long do we keep a player that has that kind of injury record?
Your opinion of Cesc is completely unfounded. Was he crap last season? You are a nobody in football like all of us, but you're saying he's sh!t when 99% of the people who do have some credence in football say he's one of the best midfielders in the world... !
The team was hardly flying when Cesc was out. We couldn't create anything for some of those games and we had no tempo, something which Cesc gives us. Who did we really beat? From the Arsenal website, these are who we beat while Cesc was out...
Pompey, Plymouth (FA), Bolton, Hull, Cardiff (FA), WBA, Burnley (FA), Blackburn, Hull (FA), Newcastle.
Baring Roma in the CL, it's hardly a glittering array of talent is it? Cesc missed 20 games in all comps. Won 10 against the above, drew 8, lost 1 and won 1 against Roma. But to you we were flying!!?!?? haha
I think I'll be believing football people over a lunatic like you... You've spent too much time playing FIFA where diaby has scored some good goals for you.... cretin.
Granted, coming back from a serious one is hard and takes time to get your body conditioned? But he's still getting injured a lot 2.5 seasons down the track. Should we not be questioning his fitness?
I've never said he doesn't have skill - but because he's injured so much he HASN"T developed. And it's hard to say whether he'll ever be great or not... And quite frankly, I see little passion in him....
If he's been included in the first team roster since 2006, then this hasn't been his first full season. He's been in the squad to try and compete for a first team place like anyone else....
I guess it would take about 2 years or so to get over not just the physical pain but the mental one as well and in many way the same is of Eduardo. He was been out of action for over a year but is suffering from niggling injuries as part of the rehabilitation.
With Diaby the consistency is not quite there but that is due to not having a good run of games in the side but I believe that the worst of his injuries should be behind him now and next season we may well see him bloom.
I think his natural position tho will ultimately be as a second striker or as a wing forward. His attacking instincts seem to overide his defensive ones which makes it a hazard to play him in deep midfield. That is where he must work on hardest.
I feel if we are to keep Fabregas or continue to insist on relying upon him for our creativity then we must do two things. Play a 4-3-3 with a three man midfield. And instruct Fabregas to spend some time in the gym. We know he is not gonna get any faster and his shooting ability is below par which makes him unsuitable for playing further front of midfield. His range of passing is at best when he is spraying passes from deep. For him to be at his best we need a fast, fluid and mobile front 3 who are always ready to break at speed. To retain possesion however it would be critical for for 3 man midfield to hold up to the opposition midfield. This is where Fabregas needs to improve. His body strength. Against Lampard he looked like a boy and against Anderson he was made to look slow and lethargic.
We are looking at things the wrong way here. Fabregas should be playing just in front of the defence to be at his creative best. Ironically this is also the position of the defensive midfielder. We seem to be playing with our defensive midfielder/s further up much like Chelsea do with essien.
So if you really think about it. Song, Diaby, Nasri will be mainstays in the first 11 but playing further up the middle. The battle is between Denilson and Fabregas for the spot just in front of defence.
With Denilson we have more defensive solidity, better more controlled distribution but at the cost of some vision (maybe not as much as you think).
With Fabregas we gain vision all over the pitch but at at detrimental cost to defense.
With Wenger's insistence on playing Nasri in the deep midfield position it's confusing matters further coz now it seems there are 3 potential candidates for the deep midfield role, in Nasri, Denilson and Fabregas.
It seems like for the last couple of years Wenger has been playing some of his attacking players further up with defensive ones further forward. Perhaps when players switch to their natural positions they will be far more evenly balanced in the art of attacking and defending.