ARSENAL MUST LINE UP IN A MAKE-OR-BREAK FORMATION AT THE ETIHAD by Nikko
It’s official, the 2023 English Premier League (EPL) title looks to be on the dais on the evening of Wednesday the 26th of April 2023, at the Etihad Stadium, because this is a match up that looks to carry the title’s crowning decider. Whomsoever gets the 3-points here is likely to go on and lift the trophy.
With Arsenal standing precariously at the apex of the table on 75 points followed by Manchester City with 70 points, but with two games in hand now…meaning City winning the two games will get them past Arsenal on the same number of games. Also, the fact that the venue of this crunch match is Etihad, swings the advantage to Manchester City.
This has only become so, especially because Arsenal have posted identical outcomes of 1-point-only games in their last three matches starting with the Anfield match verses Liverpool, London Stadium against West Ham and finally at the Emirates against Southampton, which were all drawn. In the first two matches Arsenal managed to throw away two-goal leads to end up sharing the spoils when it looked like the match objectives for Arsenal had already been met. The third one Arsenal had to chase the game and eventually just fell short of coming away with a win.
Therefore, the elephant in the room is if Arsenal come away with something from the Etihad stadium?
To find a dream result Arsenal needs in historical files, you have to go back all the way to 2015 January for an Arsenal win at the Etihad. Back then Manchester City was on the steady rise and had not even acquired their current Manager, Pep Guardiola. In fact, it’s accurate to say Guardiola’s Manchester City has never lost to Arsenal at the Etihad. That’s the historic context of what Arsenal lifting the title in 2023 could require, especially after the latest string of draws the gunners have posted, losing lots of ground to Manchester City in the EPL title run in.
So, how would Arsenal be expected to achieve the near impossible.
- Arsenal have posted results no one expected of them.
When Arsenal opened the 2022-2023 with five wins out of five, the language was that Arsenal were just as usual, quick off the blocks and would soon lose steam and fizzle out. Especially that the next round of fixtures involved Manchester United, Tottenham, Brentford, Liverpool and Leeds. Surely, the collapse was eminent.
Arsenal won all these games. Suddenly, it was looking like Arsenal would be the real deal. Arsenal lost their first points away at a hard-fought draw to Southampton. The naysayers were back and now with Europa League and the EFL Cup fixtures involved, and teams to play including Chelsea, Brighton, West Ham and Newcastle on the roster, surely the collapse was in the offing. Arsenal lost the EFL tie to Brighton and was to play the same team in the EPL in weeks. Again, the Gunners pulled through with losing a point to another draw with a rejuvenated Newcastle United.
January and February were tough with the FA Cup on and games against the likes of Manchester United, Tottenham, Everton, Manchester City and Brentford were coming up. Arsenal ended up losing to Manchester City twice, first in the FA Cup, a close fight that could have gone either way and then 3-1 at the Emirates. In between, the Arsenal lost to Everton away, and drew with Brentford at home.
Arsenal have made great results. One more at the Etihad would not be that odd this season.
- Records are there to be broken.
For Arsenal, this is the momentous opportunity to break a record. Having not won or drawn any match at the Etihad since 2015 is a record that sticks out to be broken. The bad run at the Anfield was almost reversed this season with Arsenal going into a 2-0 lead in the first half before capitulating in the second half to let Liverpool comeback to draw the game, and Liverpool even had opportunities to win it. Arsenal will thank Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale who pulled near impossible saves to keep the game at a draw.
Arsenal should plan to rewrite these records and this season looks like an opportunity for such a record to be re-written.
- Tactical nuances making Arsenal the unexpected opponent.
Arsenal 2022-2023 has been a surprise package that has various variants of the same team. It means Pep Guardiola will this time have to plan without a real and concrete plan for what Arsenal will turn up at the Etihad.
Will it be the Arsenal that grabs the game by the scruff, right from the first whistle, or the Arsenal that will raise it’s game in the second half or the comeback Arsenal?
This means that the chances to surprise the host are more likely. Liverpool faced the unexpected rapid fire from the word go, and would have lost the match, had Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta managed the second half much better.
- A Tactic that may deliver the Etihad victory on Wednesday.
Mikel Arteta may have kept the same set of first XI for most of the matches, but then going to the Etihad, maybe it is time to review.
On the evidence of the last three draws, it means that the loss of Saliba from the squad has huge repercussions for the performance. Saliba is likely not to start at the Etihad too.
In the match against Southampton, Arsenal seemed to have been asleep as the match started and only came alive at the 70th minute. Had the quality of the opposition been of a higher level, the game would have been long sealed by the opponent and Arsenal would have likely left empty handed. What this all means is that this Arsenal variant cannot turn up at the Etihad.
It therefore means that Arteta should re-package the defense as well as re-equip the attack. I would propose a 3-4-1-2 pattern.
Ramsdale, despite his mistake gifting the Saints with their lead last Friday, should start in goal. My three-man defense will include Gabriel in the middle, White on the right side and Tierney on the left. I feel Zinchenko should sit this out as Tierney is a more disciplined defender that one needs for a 3-man-defense. On the left I would have Trossard and the right Saka both playing a rare wing back role, to shore up the defense but also bring in the wings too. Partey would keep his central defensive role but be joined by Emile Smith Rowe playing the Xhaka role. Smith Rowe has goals in him and could be the surprise package on Wednesday. Odegaard plays the attacking midfield and a two-man attack made up of Martinelli and Jesus plays upfront.
The execution could have Smith Rowe and Odegaard sharing and shifting roles, Saka and Jesus sharing roles on the right wing and Martinelli and Trossard too. Once in a while Trossard, Jesus and Martinelli sharing shifts too.
- Prediction
With this tactic, Manchester City would seek to push upfront with Haaland receiving huge passes from Rodri, De Bruyne, Foden, Mahrez, Grealish, and the likes of De Bruyne, Mahrez and Grealish seeking to load from the wings. However, if White, Gabriel and Tierney keep their disciplined best, I see Arsenal emerging with 1-2 victory. For Arsenal to win this Wednesday, it’s this kind of brave output that Arsenal must be ready to execute to deliver on the promise this season has been.
Nikko Gunners
Arteta proud of our comeback after Arsenal 3-3 Southampton
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
And Newcastle are on fire right now 3-0 vs Tottenham in the first 8 minutes
Putting up an unfamiliar and unproven system against the best team in the world is suicidal. Man City ripped apart every defensive teams at home. Do your research. I would rather have the boys keep their system and go guns blazing. At least, if they go down, they go down fighting. And live to fight another day. This is reality, a real life manager with real life players. They just need their hunger and groove back. It’s not some pathetic FIFA22 or Championship Manager game. I’m absolutely sure if Arsenal plays their best, they will win.
Totally agree Mike Ram. I love the fact we are under dogs as well. At the moment Newcastle have put 5 goals away against Tottenham in the first 20 minutes
Lol
Serves the receivers quite well.
Yes, the players only have five days to learn a new tactic. I also want Arsenal to play 3-4-3 with attacking wingbacks, but the learning time is too short for the players
Man City can play with three or more tactics in one season, because Guardiola is currently one of the greatest managers in the world and I bet they have better coaches/ training facilities. The last time we changed our formation in the middle of a season, it was disastrous
I think Arteta will stick to the one that has been making us lead EPL, but hopefully he’ll tweak it a little to get more corners
Gai,
I think Thieney should come in for Zichenko bcos of his better defensive abilities and crosses. I am also of the opinion that Xhaka and Pathey should stick to their DM duties and Xhaka should support the left side attack less but cover the defence with Pathey. PepG has been using JStone in midfield in their last 4games to stiffle City midfield. We don’t need Ramsdale erratic behavior in the game. I also wish Trossard could play he was handful for City in our FA cup game at the Etihad that would also make the front line unpredictable because he uses both legs well.
Fully agree Mike.
We got this far with our system don’t change it
I like your optimism and your bold prediction…
But I simply can’t see this happening…
Man City are too good to loose this battle now and that too at Etihad and that too when treble is on cards…
I also would go with 3 at back formation but slightly different one..
I don’t see Trossard can be helpful playing as LWB because he is not natural for that role…
You may ask Saka and Martinelli to do that because they are naturally wide players and pretty much young to do LWB and RWB job along with being wide forwards throughout the 90 mins..
So my formation would be 3-2-3-2
With Ramsdale as GK
White on right sided CB
Gabriel as Central CB and Tierney as Left Sided CB
Zinchenko in Midfield along with Partey..
Zinchenko is good on ball…
And playing in Midfield would reduce some of his defensive duties in the last line of defence…
And he can be our anchor man in midfield to operate and support Partey..
On Right I will start with Saka and on left Martinelli who will be playing as LWB and RWB when we are defending and LW and RW when we are on attack…
Number 10 would be Odegaard and CFs I will go with Trossard and Jesus..
Trossard and Jesus are too difficult to handle for any CB
Also tactically I will man mark KDB through Partey…
If you Man Mark KDB and don’t allow him time on ball then you reduce 50% supply to Haaland..
Rodri and Stones are not the problem because they don’t have that attacking qualities and awareness with them…
So you can Man Mark KDB and Gündoğan or any other CM deployed by Pep in his 3-2-4-1 formation then you reduce considerable supply to Haaland…
That’s for sure we won’t be having much of the ball so we will have to reply on counter attack and that’s when our pacy wingers can unlock City’s defence..
And that’s when you need Trossard as CF role and not as wing back..
But I think City will win by 3-1 on Wednesday..
We will do our last try for this season…
But Arteta should start with some experiment to surprise City..
Newcastle is on fire
Already 5-0 up in the 1st half
And they so attacking and joy to watch football…
Eddie Howe is doing wonders without spending crazily like City and Chelsea..
From next year Newcastle will buy quality players..
They can be title contenders in next couple of seasons..
May surprise package in next year.
My God assist from Willock was absolutely phenomenal…
Outside of right foot through to Isak..
Pass from text of KDB
My goodness..
Yap that pass by willock was something else. No utterance
TBH Newcastle would not have looked so good, if it wasn’t for the appalling spud defence and goalkeeping. Ironically Davison Sanchez, who was being slagged off by all die hard spuds, has tightened up their defence, and Newcastle hasn’t scored since he came on. Goes to show the importance of a good defence, which we have also been suffering from.
Arsenal can not win against city. It will be 7-0 type of scoreline for city. Bash me if u want. But Truth is, this team is overachiever at 2nd place
We can win and win we must
I have to agree. I can only see City thrashing us. The way we’re defending, they’ll get at least 4.
Assuming he chooses a player alongside Partey to do defensive work, I feel we can get a draw.
Historically, Arsenal have always had a bad month relative to other months. I am hoping it is April but we need at least a draw against City.
As I have stated a good few times, I feel Arsenal can have a good May and who knows with a lot of luck we can end up as champions.
Here is hoping for that and for that cause that Saliba will return against Newcastle which will give a better defensive partnership even though Holding has been excellent. It is just that the chemistry between Saliba and Gabriel has had time to develop and blossom.
My preferred formation
3241
White Holding Gabriel
Partey Jorginho
Saka Odegaard Xhaka/Zini Martinelli
Jesus
Odegaard dropping deep to receive from the 2 pivot and Xhaka making late runs. Or Zini dropping deep (if Xhaka is not fit) and Odagaard making runs. Tactic instruction from the coach should be defensive, quick release of the ball for counter attack and more shots from Odegaard and Xhaka. At no point should Jesus be anywhere in our half even if we are facing attacks or drop deep when we have the ball. He has to be our first outlet on the counter. Saka and Martinelli will have to do a lot of running both in defense and attack. Our target should be a draw but if we have opportunity to win then we take it. Odegaard have to be imposing in that game. He will be our key to success.
P.S we can ask Partey or Jorginho to man-mark Debruyne as suggested by a poster earlier.
Tottenham got absolutely flogged 6-1. Why,,,,,, changed of system. Yet we have absolute clowns on this site thinking they know better. Talking nonsense about Left Footed,, Inverted Fullbacks,, Pivotal Rolls,, Tall Strikers,,, Specialist Goalkeepers who can only save penalties. Some need to do themselves a favour and sit for their Level 5 Coaching Badges. It only costs £10,000《 ten thousand pounds》. You’ll find that there’s nothing about Left Footed, Tall, Pivotal, Inverted players whatsoever. I think way too many people sit around playing MANAGER and FIFA on Playstation
The general idea of football blogs like Just Arsenal is for people to share ideas, opinions, news, info etc & debate a subject without the added issue of being trolled.
I agree 100% PJ, some of their ideas are just mind boggling.
I see nothing wrong with someone preferring a tall striker or preferring taller players in general. Arsenal was at its best when we had physically imposing players
I may be grasping at straws, but we do have the best away form in the EPL, although it’s taken a bit of a dent these last two games.
Unfortunately we’re now in the position that even if we do beat City, it probably won’t be enough considering the form of both clubs.
Jen, Yes althoug I still retain real hope, though an outsiders chance only, hope of the title, I agree that even if we ewin at City- and I do NOT rule that chance out , not be al ong chalk- I still see us having a more daunting run in. Thus I consider City favorites, even if they have seven games left to our five while being eight points behind us after Wednesdays game.
In my heart of hearts, I believe SALIBAS untimely and frustratingly long injury has made the key difference .
As I have said all along, Holding is way inferior. So much so that I have never agreed with those Gooners who say he is doing well enough.
He is VERY FAR from Salibas top class quality and IMO needs replacing with better, this summer.
Unlike the bookies, who have us around 7/2 outsiders, I make us around 8/1 long shots for the title
At least you are consistent with your pessimism
Jon, we were 60/1 pre season and I was really tempted to put £100 on.
*IF* we do manage to pull off a win at City, then everything changes. A massive weight will be lifted and our confidence will shoot up, and it will put doubt in the city players.
The away game at Newcastle worries me regardless, but if we show we can win away at City, we should be confident against anyone.
If we don’t win, which i do think is most likely, it will be essentially over. We just have to go for it.
As I’ve said before, whatever happens, the side has done brilliantly this season.
It is clear that in all the games this year, whether they went well for us or we were blocked in the outcome, the style of game development, but also defensive behavior did not change. There is no work Another system. It would be good if there was one, maybe next year another one will work well. City has two equal elevens, Pepe is older, it makes sense to be able to change players and Maybe some small differences… that keep the team fresher. What we have to understand is that City are not invulnerable, after all they have also lost a point, and points despite It has these advantages. The damage, we did it ourselves, not City, maybe the players got tired, the same line-up for almost a whole season, maybe because there is no management experience Championship, to weigh down the legs as we approach the end. The matches with the finished West Ham, and with nothing Southampton, showed this. It was purely a matter of stupidity with West Ham, who You don’t end it with a third or a fourth goal.. The mentality is wrong, the one where in the second goal, we try to play hide and seek. That’s how tiring, and you give the opponent a breather to Get up and claim the right you give him. Tragic mistake by Arteta, he should transform into Alex Ferguson and lay a hand on them, with a sledgehammer, giving imperative orders for more Goal. Maybe he thought it was over too, but the players then looked like tourists, he couldn’t have seen it? What did he do about it? nothing. He let them continue in the same stupid situation… until We resurrected West Ham, and it was also seen today when they went to Bournemouth with a different mentality and destroyed them. But this year’s Southampton, the punching bag of the Premier League, is indescribable.Two matches, two points, with the soul in the mouth. Is it possible with such a mistake, similar to the goal we ate against Bournemouth in the first minute? The point is to learn from the mistake. I think that some Our players are also a little overrated. City, I say it again, has two equal elevens of world-class players. However, our difference is only in management, because of championship experience.Besides, as I said, we spilled the milk we collected… in conclusion, in the match against City, the title is up for grabs. We wouldn’t have wanted that, but that’s how we managed it. I don’t know what will happen, but I think It is more likely that City will lose a point or points in some of the remaining games until the end. Arteta must work on them psychologically, not competitively, to stimulate their ego and Confidence, I don’t know if it’s possible, but that’s what you have to do. They’re also gods. But if you enter this match, seeing them as immobile, they might drag you down, not just lose…. Well, that’s where it works.In the stimulation of psychology, and in the stimulation of self-confidence, with correct arguments and exhortations.. yes we can, now that we have arrived, we must see it differently, initially faith for surprise, and in Continuation of football of composure, with the aim of a second surprise. Let’s cut their legs…they are people too, and they will become disorganized…Let’s go for the title, and we will do it, we have it for years It is not lost now,,,somehow but also correct approach without fear, the ranking order will be restored. Do not rule out that City also does not want to conquer it, thinking this cunningly. It is Much more money, to deliberately misstep, 🤫🤫🤫
I wouldn’t change too much going into the game against City, the time to tinker has been and gone. That said, the one change I would make is too move Zinchenko into the Xhaka role and give Tierney a proper game at Left Back without forcing him into midfield. Zinchenko is just not good enough at defending to play LB and Tierney is not technically gifted enough to play DM. But I truly believe they could really compliment each other. Zinchenko can do his thing without the pressure of having to defend and Tierney can push forward with the knowledge that Zinchenko can cover him when he does. I think it would work but I doubt we will ever find out.
We will be very luck if we come out of that game with a point.
Arsenal should begin to look out for a better goal keeper ASAP!
Not just because of the mistakes Ramsdale made against Southampton but because of the numerous mistakes he have been doing without notice.
Any time we concede a corner, I always fear for the keeper
Mr cool
AR has been one of our most consistent players this season.
Heads gone to say he needs replacing. Next thing you will be saying is that Leno is a better gk and we need to brink him back
We will definitely score at city. Its if we keep a clean sheet
I am a half glass full person
2-3 and we wrestle back control
Onwards and upwards
“Without notice”?!
Would you prefer him to email us all in advance to let us know he is about to make one of his VERY RARE and way over dramatised by CERTAIN Gooners, mistakes??!
If Arsenal were to do as you recommend, and sell Ramsdale, there would be an outbreak of outrage among Gooners. Not you, alone though!
We have 3 points from 3 games and the last match felt like a loss because we played the bottom team at home.
But that doesn’t mean we are out of contention. City could drop points like to Brentford. We could beat City
Keep your chins up. We can still do it
COYG
Where is Kev?? Perhaps he has another vision to tell us.
He’s out there somewhere, hiding in the dark playing with his crystal balls 😳
History repeats itself and arsenal are no way closer to the title and the big deal is not the city game, arsenal also needs to ace Newcastle at st james park who are at their best form, they still have Brighton and a dying Chelsea in their diary..i think arsenal’s remaining fixtures are way more tougher compared to city’s who may finish unbeaten if they want to and to be realistic no magic happens in etihad am seeing a 5-1 score on Wednesday
Changing the system without trying it out in previous games is not an option. Teams take time to let a new formation bed down. Trying a new formation out against a mid table side, or pre season preferably, go for it. Against one of the best sides in Europe in a must win game? Uh, yeah!! I doubt very much Arteta is going to do that, not least because he hasn’t shown much flexibility in tactics so far this season.
If he did change tactics to grab a point a three man back line with wing backs would be suicide. Too many gaps to plug with our full backs. A 5-3-2 would be an idea, with a sweeper and the full backs holding the defensive line. Its negative, but with our defence it might be the only option.
Something big could well happen at the Etihad.
I have no doubt we could go there and make a massive scare say 3 nil by halftime,
Three things that could support this theory,
1)The Citizens are now the overwhelming favorite and may just take a eye off their beating stick coming to town,
2) Arsenal seems to respond remarkably well when their back against the wall.
3) Last but not the least, a ton of pressure maybe lifted now Arsenal is not the favorite.
My problem is even with a 3 nil lead at the Etihad with 45 mins to go, can we show the mental strength to see it through?
Can someone close to Michael Arteta like I Wright, PLEASE tell him to use the advantage of his young team to beat M City. As much as they are young guys, they are quick and and bully. They must attack the MC slow defence from the first whistle and make sure they don’t give them to have the second touch on the ball. The City players are slow but tactical so you cannot match that.
Some interesting reading, myself if I’m honest… I’m about 70/30 in citizens’ favor. But if we start as we did at Anfield, then who knows, we may climb that hill
We must salvage atleast a point at the Etihad and hope City loose a game,