Arsene Wenger has decisions to make ahead of Sunday’s crunch tie between Arsenal and rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
The Gunners boss has recently opted to follow the lead of table-toppers Chelsea and revert to a 3-4-2-1 formation, in order to give his defence extra cover as they look to save their campaign.
Arsenal have won both of their matches since making the switch, including an important FA Cup semi-final win over Man City at Wembley at the weekend.
The Frenchman now has to ponder on whether to stick with the new system for the trip to White Hart Lane on Sunday, where he will likely line-up against the same 3-4-2-1 formation, which they have been practising in training for the last two weeks.
Wenger also has complications to add into his thinking, with Shkodran Mustafi sidelined currently, as well as Laurent Koscielny being a doubt for the crunch tie.
At today’s pre-match press conference, Wenger said: “The uncertainty we have is about Koscielny. The news yesterday was positive. Mustafi is two weeks away.”
The Arsenal coach also claimed he was yet to decide on the system, likely trying to keep his cards close to his chest ahead of the big game.
He added: “Early to come to a conclusion [on a back three].
“It will be a good test on Sunday but I haven’t decided on shape.”
Whether Koscielny does manage to return on Sunday or not, I firmly expect us to stick with our new system, as his absence would weaken our defence, and the new formation is supposed to give extra support at the back.
Nacho Monreal is likely to keep his spot on the left of the three, after the Spaniard impressed against Leicester in midweek.
Would Koscielny missing out force Wenger to play a back-four? Has Wenger just trying to keep Spurs second-guessing on the formation or is he actually undecided?
Pat J
Just a thought about the 3at back. Since the change Gabriel the new Roberts Carlos, Monreal the new Ryan Giggs, Holding the new Tony Adams and The Ox the new Gareth Bale. Walcott Giroud Ozil Ramsey Gibbs same ol same old. CB
And Monreal is scoring for fun now isn’t he? Good times
Holding will hold well beside Gabriel
Monreal can do the job too
_________Giroud
______Sanchez Ozil OX
_______Xhaka Elneny
Gibbs Monreal Gabriel Bellerin
_________Cech
_________Giroud
______Sanchez Ozil
Welbeck Xhaka Ramsey OX
___Monreal Holding Gabriel
_________Cech
If we lose the midfield battle, we lose the game. Giroud is very important for this game.
Pointless game.
Who cares what formation is chosen or what players play – it is meaningless in our battle for sixth place.
Sixth place is like winning a trophy that demented old pensioner will be saying soon – not that he cares because no doubt he will be signing ANOTHER new contract very shortly.
That is why he will announced it at the end of the season when there is no one around to protest and people are resigned to putting up with his incompetence and lack of management skills for four more years..
Catalyst for change Gazidis told us and Wenger is the catalyst for that change although he was the one who allowed this to happen.
I’m not bothered by the score on Sunday because it will be meaningless for us – the only person who fails to see this is the person responsible for this…
Alexis up front
Kos & Mustafi OUT, I think Wenger Should Go with
GAB-PER–HOLDING
OX–Mo—Xhaka–Monreal
Welback—Girud–SANCHEZ.