James McArthur is a Palace legend. His tactical flexibility has made him a hugely influential member of Palace's starting 11. With the midfielder enjoying yet another resurgence under Patrick Vieira, here's Naveed Khan to highlight his brilliance.  

Each time Palace get a new manager, the role James McArthur will play is a question for them to answer. Some, like Roy Hodgson, take to him immediately. Others, namely Sam Allardyce and Frank De Boer were not convinced. Alan Pardew used him to plug his own tactical deficiency-induced gaps.

He is a midfielder often lauded for his work rate, his endurance and his stamina. But that misunderstanding does him a huge disservice; he is one who is technically very capable, both with the ball at feet and making space for a pass. It is the combination of these which makes him both the symbol of and perfect for the change in style from Hodgson to Patrick Vieira.

This really can be seen as the third iteration of McArthur at Palace. The first, signed with the backdrop of Palace’s close call with Malky Mackay and Neil Warnock joining, showed his ability to quickly move the ball as well as himself breaking lines into the final third, making him the perfect complement to Mile Jedinak and Joe Ledley. He was key in the early progress of Pardew, but as that manager lost his tactical way, McArthur was the fall-guy as the manager persevered with wanting Yohan Cabaye and Jason Puncheon to play deep in midfield together, meaning the Scot being used closer to the forward, negating key aspects of his game.

It was under Allardyce where McArthur had a stint of not being a regular when fit but the beneficiary of that was certainly Hodgson. In the first season under Vieira’s predecessor saw McArthur’s second iteration at Palace, his skill and versatility combined to make him a key part of the team – whether narrow in a left or right wide midfield position or in central midfield.

We did not often see the dynamism mixed with his technical ability and moving with the ball for most the Hodgson’s time, however. A combination of managing injuries and tactical pragmatism, he played a more cautious role in the two seasons prior to this one and we didn’t get close to seeing the best of him. Last season closed with a prolonged spell out injured, something which seems to have been a blessing in disguise.

Under Vieira, his role has changed again and we are seeing the third iteration. To compliment Conor Gallagher’s vertical box to box game, McArthur is playing as a “carrilero” – a midfielder whose primary role is to work across the midfield line, always being available to the whole back four and then to break forward with the ball when the chance arises. This role suits him perfectly – it enables him to mix his game reading and vigilance with his ability to move the ball in progressive areas but also to drive forward himself. It brings to life elements of his game which for one reason or another has been packed away for a few seasons; the result is that he is impacting games in ways beyond working hard while also carrying the team from the old to the new.

With a number of new players around him and a new way of playing, Jimmy is the key to the transition. Both as the type of player he is and his presence at the club since 2014. Somehow, he’s playing with the same energy in his mid-30s as he was when he joined, a testimony to his dedication and professionalism.

When we talk about best signings, pound for pound, since promotion, he is certainly in the conversation with Scott Dann and Puncheon (Wilfried Zaha goes without saying). And while both of those had a greater impact on results and season outcomes, it was over shorter but very identifiable periods of time. What separates McArthur from those is longevity and consistency.  When we think of either 2013/14 or 2014/15, we can pinpoint the impact Dann or Puncheon had and make a safe assumption as to our fate without either.

With McArthur, it is different – there is no season in time. It is McJedly. It is playing the unsung role which allowed Ruben Loftus-Cheek to link so effectively with Andros Townsend and Wilf. It is being part of one of the best team goals scored by any side at Anfield.  And it is now partnering Gallagher while linking Palace’s ball-playing defence with the forwards. A consistent presence, impactful in a number of roles and now an essential figure in Palace transforming as a squad and club.

James McArthur has become the face of this transition. He deserves a starring role and to see this transition through.