Arsenal's Mikel Arteta has been one of the best and most consistent players in the English Premier League this season, playing in a deeper role in midfield, just ahead of the back-four, and Arsene Wenger is convinced the role of a purely defensive midfielder is on the wane.
More and more clubs, which like to keep possession and take control in midfield, are employing ball-playing midfielders in their team, rather than the strong powerful screener.
The Arsenal manager is convinced defensive work is best done collectively, after being criticized for selling Alex Song and then not finding a replacement; although it must be said Song was far from your traditional defensive midfielder.
"There are no defensive midfield players at the moment," Wenger said. "We try to find the defensive balance collectively. We have fewer players who are purely defenders but some are physically strong in defending like (Abou) Diaby, some are tactically strong like Arteta.
"At the moment we have the balance because everybody participates, but we have fewer specialists, purely defenders. We are more versatile going forward because everyone has the potential to go forward."
Wenger, however, admitted none of that will matter if the balance of the team is not correct, adding that particular aspect will need to be perfect when the Gunners play Chelsea at the Emirates.
"If you have a defensive balance, yes, that is what is at stake against Chelsea," he said. "Will you be strong enough defensively, in midfield as well, to deal with them? That's where one of the tests will be."
Wenger also revealed he would have been prepared to sell Vito Mannone this summer had an offer ben received for the young Italian goalkeeper. Mannone has shown good form for the Gunners this season after being gi0ven an extended run out due to the injuries suffered to first-choice Wojciech Szczesny and second-choice Lukasz Fabianski.
"He always believed in himself and was ready to show me that but he had no real opportunity to play," Wenger said. "Szczesny has the No.1 shirt and it is up to the others to win it. He has not lost it but there is competition now.
"When I sent Mannone to Hull, I watched him every single game and all the reports I had were very positive. I was quite surprised no club went for him because I would have let him go."
Wenger stressed competition is essential in the goalkeeping department but so is confidence in your keepers. "The goalies need competition but also confidence," Wenger added. "It is a special position where, if you are challenged every time, if you change every time, you cannot be good.
"If Gianluigi Buffon makes a mistake he knows he will play for Juventus the next game and if Joe Hart makes a mistake he knows he will play for Manchester City the next game.
"That's important, but if, over a period of time, their standards drop, and somebody comes in, that's different."
