https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/37430014Pick Wenger's best Arsenal XI .... tough to figure out.
I went 4-2-3-1 with
Seaman, Lauren, Sol Campbell, Adams and Ashley Cole in defense.
Vieira and Cazorla as my two holding midfielders
Ljungberg, Ozil and Pires as my attacking midfielders
Henry as my lone striker
442 with Bergkamp was very tempting but I wanted more control in midfield. An extra body.
I went with Cazorla because I think he was the best CM in the Premier League when he was healthy. A phenomenal passer and conductor from midfield. Dictated rhythm of games. I choose him as a partner to Vieira over the more defensive options like Petit or Gilberto Silva. I was tempted by Fabregas but he was always more comfortable higher up the pitch. Cazorla was better defensively. Quicker over 10 yards at closing down opposition. Cazorla gave better balance defensively than Fabregas.
I went with Ozil as as my #10 because Bergkamp was only an option as a forward. If Bergkamp had of been available, that would have been a much tougher choice. Fabregas was a strong option as well. Ozil arguably gives the best balance of the trio though. Bergkamp was phenomenal in the final 3rd as a passer but Ozil can play both middle 3rd and final 3rd. More of a true midfielder whereas Bergkamp was a deep forward. Ozil is a better dribbler and more comfortable in wide areas than Fabregas. He also covers more ground in attack and in defense than Cesc does. So Ozil could very well have been the right choice all along over the more romantic selections of Bergkamp or Fabregas.
I loved Overmars but Pires had to be in the team. A more versatile attacking threat than Overmars direct wide wing play. I think Pires would be phenomenal in a 4-2-3-1 too and would interact well with Cazorla and Ozil as creative hubs behind Henry. I liked Ljungberg on the right wing because he was a different sort of midfielder. Less of a playmaker than the others but more well-rounded. Made great runs from deep and would give Pires, Ozil and Co. a target to find with their passers. Someone who would break the lines from midfield.
I have a soft spot for Anelka. Another tough one for me to leave out.