Arsenal seemed to have experimented with many formations this season, but it is interesting to note that we have finally kept two clean sheets in a row now that Wenger has has decided to go back to basics with a bog standard defensive 4-4-2 setup.
Wenger noted after yesterdays win against Burnley: “We played 4-4-2 and we played like that against Sunderland. It works because he [Alexis] works very hard so we can afford to do it. We have to balance the midfield and defence.”
With Debuchy and Koscielny out of action (and no real beast of a DM), it certainly makes sense to have both Mikel Arteta AND Matthieu Flamini in the centre to protect our inexperienced back four.
Wenger has also now recognised that Sanchez’s best position is as a roaming Number 10: “Since he’s played through the middle he looks more goal dangerous.” Wenger said about Alexis. “Now it looks to me that he’s really dangerous through the centre of the pitch because he’s in full confidence, he’s physically strong, he likes to take people on as well and he makes perfect runs. Through the centre of the pitch maybe he’s more dangerous.”
There is no maybe about it, Alexis is absolutely brilliant in the centre and surely he must play there every time he is on the pitch. But does that mean that poor Mesut Ozil will be unhappy back on the wing when he returns from injury?