With Alex Song away, can Arsenal rely on Denilson to get the tackles in?
The general consensus amongst Arsenal fans seems to be that Alex Song has been the club’s best (or at least, most important) player so far this season, sitting in front of the back four in the holding role, and winning the ball in the centre of the park. But Song has departed for a month for the Africa Cup of Nations (the last ACON, in 2008, he was named in the Best XI for the tournament, playing at centre-back) and Arsenal don’t have a ready-made replacement.
Instead, against Everton, Denilson dropped back into the holding role. Denilson has improved immeasurably in the past two seasons, but he remains a passer rather than a tackler.
Wenger remains confident that Denilson can fill Song’s boots, saying that Denilson “can play this role and come in for Song without a problem…although Song and Denilson can play together, they have very similar qualities.”
So, here is a comparison between the two. Denilson’s tackling record in the Everton game, compared to Song’s in the last real ‘contest’ Arsenal were in, away at Burnley (in other words, ignoring the easy three-goal victories against Hull, Aston Villa and Portsmouth).
Song’s tackling success rate is 100%, and he covers a larger area of the pitch. In Denilson’s defence, he attempted more tackles than Song, and won the three challenges closest to his own goal.
Nevertheless, Arsenal’s next game is on Sunday, away at Bolton, traditionally a fixture they have struggled in physically. This will be a real test for Denilson (if fit) and with Arsenal’s subsequent fixtures tricky-looking games against Stoke (away), Aston Villa (away) and Manchester United (home), Arsenal fans might well hope that Song’s Cameroon side exit the tournament early.
With Alex Song away, can Arsenal rely on Denilson to get the tackles in?
I was wondering what was happening to this site as I felt it was a quality. Nice that you are continuing it although I do prefer the blog style way of reading posts (i.e. whole article down the page).
Song and Denilson both have great vision but at the moment it seems Song is more suited than the Brazilian, although the latter is still a class player.
Song is more dynamic at getting the ball back; his ball retention is fantastic and shielding men away from it.
At Everton, who would have made the biggest different is a great assumption but Denilson’s misplaced passes which were in the Everton’s half, which may suggest trying to force the issue. Wenger doesn’t think the draw was down to Song -arguable – but he did say the passing was less incisive while the movement was lacking to drag players out, the second goal being an isolated incident for the Gunners.
I’ve long said I think Denilson is neither a Fabregas-type player nor a Song-type player but a completely different option. In essence I feel Arsenal have two “types” of midfield. When Diaby plays centrally (or Rosicky) the midfield drives forward using runs and dribbles, but when Denilson (or Ramsey) play there, the play is all about possession and passing. It’s very similar (although I concede the difference in quality) to Barcelona with Iniesta compared to Barcelona with Keita; one’s more gifted technically (Denilson and Iniesta) and one’s more gifted with physical attributes (Keita and Diaby).
I still reckon Arsenal’s best midfield (assuming everyone’s fit) sees Song in front of the back four with Denilson slightly ahead and Fabregas a touch further still. Plus the usual assortment of dribblers (Arshavin, Nasri et al) in the wider positions. I prefer Denilson to Diaby for sure. His work ethic is exceptional and he’s a better passer of the ball, ensuring we keep possession better.