West Brom vs Arsenal: 5 things to take away

4) Defensive midfielders are the “in-thing”

Both Arsenal and West Brom did well in the match because of the roles essayed by the defensive midfielders from either side. Mathieu Flamini and the Claudio Yacob-Youssouf Mulumbu pairing were excellent in their roles as the midfield destroyers. Flamini’s free transfer at the start of the season was widely condemned by the Arsenal supporters; with them perceiving it as part of Wenger’s abhorrence towards spending.

But attitudes have quickly changed in view of the performances put in by the Frenchman. Flamini’s work in the center of midfield has largely been the reason that Aaron Ramsey has found it easier to make runs into the opposition half; runs that have resulted in goals. Though Flamini has a habit of notching up fouls and, consequently, cautionary cards, his contribution to the team’s good is unquestionable.

Yacob and Mulumbu are of the same ilk. Their partnership in the position in front of the central defenders has been a major contributing factor in the good play by West Brom. Last season, when West Brom found themselves in the top 5 in the Premier League, Yacob and James Morrison were the players credited with getting them there. Injuries to Morrison and Yacob was the main reason that saw the slide in West Brom’s fortunes.