Wright recommends position change for key Arsenal man
Ian Wright thinks Mikel Arteta should move Dani Ceballos into a more attacking midfield role to help provide support for the Arsenal attack.
Ceballos impressed during his initial spell in north London to such an extent that Arteta sought to bring him back from Real Madrid.
The midfielder had offers from elsewhere but built such a connection with the fanbase and manager that Arsenal won the race.
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Wright reckons Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny have been doing a good job in the centre of the park but the former Gunners striker thinks Arteta needs to play Ceballos in a more advanced role to create more chances.
“Like I say the creativity from the midfield is a problem at the moment, the sooner they can sort that out the better,” Wright told Premier League Productions. “I think Dani Ceballos can play a bit further up and push on, especially if we’re going to player a counter-attacking style.
“You cannot play a game and not get a guy as potent as Aubameyang in the game and get him some chances.
“Mikel [Arteta] has to do something to get him into it. Unfortunately with Xhaka and Elneny – yes they can take the ball from the centre halves – but they can’t progress it into the forward areas. We didn’t keep the ball at all today. That’s what Mikel has got to worry about.”
Ceballos came off the bench in Arsenal’s 3-1 loss to Liverpool on Monday with Wright hailing the Spaniard’s impact on his team-mates.
Wright added: “You can see that in Liverpool’s team everyone can move forward because Arsenal were starting so deep but what was evident to me was that we didn’t have that person in midfield who was comfortable enough on the ball until Ceballos came on.
“[They need] Someone who they can pass the ball to, who is comfortable to receive it with someone on his back, who can pop it off, who can turn it round the corner.
“From there Arsenal can play but we can’t do that at the moment. That’s why it’s imperative we get Aouar from Lyon. He’s someone that can get on the ball and get the forwards going. You saw the chances that Ceballos made when he came on, that’s what Arsenal need.”
