Jack Wilshere was immense in the 2010-11 season for Arsenal, making 35 appearances at just 19 years old. Playing so many fixtures in one season takes a serious toll on a player of such a young age. It’s well documented that getting any of our players through a full season is no walk in the park, so it came as no surprise that Wilshere’s moment in the sun had come to a halt because of an unfortunate knee injury.
With one of the most consistent midfielders being out for an uncertain amount of time, there was an obvious need for recruitment in Jack’s newly vacated position. When the time came for Wenger’s last minute panic buys on August 31st, we found ourselves with two attacking midfielders in Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun among others. While Arteta’s quick change to a more defensive mindset seemed to seal the cracks in a leaky defence, what was lost was greater than what was gained. Yes, Arteta was the deepest lying midflelder last season out of necessity, and yes he did a fine job defensively. However, we need only to look as far as 2010-11 to see that Song was far superior as the midfield anchor of the team.
Defensive/Passing Stats
Player | Mikel Arteta | Alex Song |
Tackles p/g | 2.5 | 3.3 |
Interceptions p/g | 1.9 | 2.6 |
Fouls p/g | 1.4 | 2.2 |
Clearances p/g | 0.4 | 2 |
Dribbled Past p/g | 1.1 | 0.9 |
Passes p/g | 76.9 | 60.9 |
Pass Completion | 90.8% | 86.2 |
Now that we’ve established that Song is more suited to a “holding” or “anchor” role, we’re stuck with the Jack Wilshere replacement. Someone who plays all over the pitch. Someone technically sound who can make a difference creatively, but still contribute in defence. Someone who can deliver a perfectly weighted long ball and a crunching tackle in the same play.
Enter Nuri Sahin.
Attacking Summary
Player | Nuri Sahin | Jack Wilshere |
Appearances | 30 | 31(4) |
Goals | 6 | 1 |
Assists | 8 | 3 |
Shots p/g | 2 | 0.8 |
Longballs p/g | 5.5 | 3.1 |
Key Passes p/g | 3.5 | 1.7 |
Akin to Jack, Sahin was a box to box midfielder in charge of playmaking. Despite being at the back of a 2-3 midfield playing behind Shinji Kagawa and beside Sven Bender 30 times during the 10/11 season, Sahin plays all over the pitch, as proved by his passing stats in relation to his starting position. Sahin attempted 207 crosses of which 78 were successful, which illustrates his willingness to get into advanced positions. He also provided an average 5.5 accurate long balls per match, and 3.5 key passes: not too shabby a holding midfielder. This illustrates that Sahin is never static in build up play and uses his playmaking ability to great effect, tallying 8 assists for BVB.
A capable player in many respects, Sahin is most suited to a deep lying position with the option to charge forward. He isn’t afraid to get stuck in (3.7 tackles p/g), and has great vision to play a cutting pass to his teammates. (3.5 key passes p/g: the most of any Dortmund player), and the occasional long pop on goal (2 shots p/g). Judging based on these stats, you’d have to say Sahin is the overall better option at the moment over Wilshere. The only major difference in Wilshere’s favor is his passing accuracy. The only thing left to consider is their difference in age and hence, potential growth. Wilshere is only 19, turning 20 January 1st and still has room for improvement. Sahin is 23 and still hasn’t hit his prime.
We know that Sahin is better than Jack offensively, but for Wenger’s 2 man pivot system to work properly, both players need to be competent in attack and defence. Using 2010 Song as a benchmark, we’ll see how Sahin stacks up to Jack Wilshere and Mikel Arteta at the back.
Defensive/Passing Stats
Player | Nuri Sahin | Alex Song | Jack Wilshere | Mikel Arteta |
Tackles p/g | 3.7 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 2.5 |
Interceptions p/g | 2.3 | 2.6 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
Fouls p/g | 1.7 | 2.2 | 1 | 1.4 |
Clearances p/g | 0.5 | 2 | 0.6 | 0.4 |
Dribbled Past p/g | 2.3 | 0.9 | 1 | 1.1 |
Passes p/g | 59.3 | 60.9 | 54.4 | 76.9 |
Pass Completion | 75.9 | 86.2 | 86.1% | 90.8% |
Defence isn’t Sahin’s forte, but his stats aren’t poor by any standards. What takes shape as a result of Sahin’s slight defensive inferiority and attacking prowess is exactly what is desired: one player being more inclined to go forward, with the midfield anchor covering their runs and shielding the back four.
To recap: Sahin brings it all to the pitch. He’s got the skill and mentality to make it at Arsenal. He’s our Jack 2.0 if you will. He’s used to being in the spotlight, and won’t go missing during a match. He was Dortmund’s best midfielder in his short time there, earning a WhoScored rating of 7.73 and 7 Man of the Match awards for Dortmund in 2010-11.
Sahin is the business in attack and defence, and a one year loan move might be the perfect transaction as it gives Wilshere time to find his feet without too much pressure. If we don’t like him, we can return him. This transfer only benefits both parties: Sahin gets more playing time insted of riding the pine in Madrid, and the we get a player who suits our needs perfectly. Win win.
All data provided by Opta, via WhoScored
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LB
August 17, 2024 at 15:41
Agreed.
Sahin is a needed addition at Arsenal, along with either M’Villa or Biglia and also Miralles ( before he signs on the dotted line for Everton ). Get rid of Bendtner, Squillachi, Fabianski and Djorou, Park asap … but I would hold on to AA . I think Chamakh is a possible off-loader too ( replace with Miralles above ),, but Arshavin is quality through and through and I think he will be galvanised into wanting to play for Arsenal again in the way that he did when he first arrived, especially when he sees the quality of football that I think we’ll produce this season, contrary to what many are stating with the loss of RvP. ?
Reece
August 17, 2024 at 15:57
i would like sahin but not as replacement for song as what many in the press are saying, sahin is even less defensive than songaldinho
tobechukwu
August 17, 2024 at 15:59
if sahin could be our next player then, what are we waiting for…i mean this guy is extremely good on the ball…..we don’t need to think twice,or let same type of stick enters into our eyes again…let buy him or m’villa or a good defensive minded player…before we sell song. even if we don’t sell song now, probably some day song ‘ll not extend his contract or commit himself to the club.definitely barca ‘ll take him any day….and as for theo i don’t really no why wenger keep hold on this guy …? i mean theo isn’t that good…we need a experience player who can score from the side and the front of goal as well….already we have podolski on the left side, he can score no doubt for that …we really need a type if him who can score goal and lead us to 7 years trophy less…hn! . and for striker…? i think wenger really need to sell this close to success syndrome players like,
chamack
squilachi
park
ramsey
gervinho
djourou
this are players that need to be sold in other to win any trophy why..?
this players are not good , they’re not arsenal type of players, they’re the kind of players that brought much more hatred to the club, they’re classless, they’re not the kind of players each players look up to, rather than enjoying their wages and the atmosphere of the club, they’re just being present when you call them, but they’re not present in terms of assisting the club like: goal scoring, & defending, they’re not the kind of players that players like podolski and co. learn from, because they’re shy and not ready to step to the toes of English football…i think all these made most of our stars left the club….although they’re talented, but blind..
thanks for allowing me to say my personal mind….myname still remain tobechukwu from nigeria…love gunner for life////
emmanuel
August 19, 2024 at 04:28
Wenger should have a rethink. He keeps on saying we can’t compete financially with other big clubs but yet 2nd richest in epl. Who is deceiving who
Anders
August 19, 2024 at 16:31
I agree with you guys. Sahin was originally intended to complement Song, but that’s not going to happen. I think we’re now in for him, a DM and maybe even a striker if we can move our deadwood in time. Thanks for reading!