Will Walcott return give Arsenal a new formation?

How does Wenger go about getting the best out of Walcott and Sanchez? by SE

The prospect of having Theo Walcott and Alexis Sanchez – two goal-scoring wingers – play for Arsenal shouldn’t be too long from becoming a reality. Walcott has been back in full training for quite some time now, but making the transition from plain training into playing a high-voltage game can be significantly different, and it is primarily due to that reason why Walcott might not see enough action in Arsenal colours for the next couple of weeks at least. However, as and when he makes the starting XI for Arsenal, how does Wenger go about accommodating the Englishman and Sanchez?

Sanchez, during his Barcelona days, played as the wide striker in a 3-man frontline that the Catalans favor. At Arsenal, however, the Chilean has largely found himself playing as an out-and-out winger, and although he has created 13 goal scoring chances until now, hasn’t given the North Londoners that cutting edge he and his team would have wanted. With Walcott returning, the prosaic tactic would be to keep playing him on the Left-Hand-Side, and deploying the 25-year old Englishman as the Right-Winger. However, if I was Wenger, I just wouldn’t want to be too predictable and leave two of my best players, apart from Ozil, out wide.

Chamberlain has been in sparkling form, and should be rewarded for his good showings. In addition, the 21-year old Englishman has got pace, doesn’t bother tracking back and, above all, gives Arsenal something different. Welbeck, with his height and aerial ability, could be better utilized if someone can swing crosses into the box and find the former Manchester United man. Chamberlain, when he plays, could be deployed as the Right-Winger, told to stay in touch with the byline and swing crosses for Welbeck to attack. Walcott can play in Sanchez’s position on the Left-Hand-Side, cutting inward of his opposing fullback, and give Arsenal a wide range of options with his ability to shoot from distance, while remaining a constant threat in the final third of pitch along with Sanchez and Welbeck – who should be played through the middle. Sanchez played in a 2-man frontline for Chile at the World Cup, and it was his goal scoring exploits for the South Americans that eventually cajoled Wenger into bringing him to the Emirates. So there’s no reason why the Chilean shouldn’t partner Welbeck and render Arsenal a better goal scoring threat.

Final Thought
I am all for the 4-4-1-1 system, and making sure that Welbeck doesn’t remain isolated while playing as the solitary man upfront. Sanchez, in my opinion, should play alongside or just off Welbeck, with Walcott and Chamberlain playing on the respective left and Right-Hand-Sides of the two men – Sanchez and Welbeck – in the middle. What it will do is, give Arsenal better flexibility, which they couldn’t find with Ozil playing on the wings and, by playing Chamberlain as the winger who delivers dangerous crosses into the box, Welbeck’s aerial ability can come in handy for the Gunners.