Should Wenger Unleash a 3 Man Defense Set-Up? by NO
As the season begins, what would be a dream set up? Suppose AW was to take a gamble and try the three man defensive set up? With the riches Arsenal now possesses in the centre of the pitch, it could be option to look at. Should Wenger go for another striker, the three man defensive setup would make even more sense to deploy just in case such an asset is secured. And with the thinning defensive side, perhaps, just perhaps a 3 man defense would be a welcome introduction.
This is the system that is now on resurgence in modern football. During Euro 2012, Cesare Prandelli lost Andrea Barzagli to injury and faced with Spain, a switch to the system was a bold option. The Azzurri nullified the world champions and ground out a 0-0 draw. Napoli, under Walter Mazzarri, have run a three-centre-back system for several seasons. Juventus has done an Arsenal invincible using the same set up in Serie A last season, though in Europe, the system brought in the ghosts.
In the EPL, Roberto Martinez’s Wigan Athletic and Manchester City have used it previously. In the first game of the season Manchester United Luis Van Gaal employed the three man defense with disastrous results. He could not see the match through and had to make a tactical change to return to 4 man defensive setup. However, Man United of today is not the Arsenal of today. After the troubles we had to defeat Crystal Palace, you would expect teams to bring similar mentality against Arsenal and the outcome could be worse than what we had on the first match, an extra man in the centre where we looked jaded could be very effective. However as the Man United game elaborated, the system needs maturity and can backfire badly. There is need to note that Arsenal against Crystal Place had over 70% possession but lacked the cutting edge. The three Man defense could provide the cutting edge.
The system when used with three central defenders, a back line will have a spare man even against a 4-4-2. With usage of wingbacks – True wing-backs are really just deep-seated attackers. Modern football is seeing the increased importance of attacking values in left- and right-backs.
Having three centre-halves releases the wing-backs from most of their defensive duties, allowing them to maraud the touchline and contribute heavily to offensive duties. Having a player constantly positioned in the wide area stretches the pitch to its limit, creating plenty of room for passing in the middle of the park, where Arsenal could really hurt teams. Another upside is that the manager doesn’t have to sacrifice any of the good center backs as the three will all play. We saw Sagna contribution when used as a centre back as well as chambers and perhaps other defenders in the side can get to adjust to the system. I suspect that Gibbs and Debuchy can also take the roles in the three centre backs and Arsenal will have 4 dependable defenders for 3 roles at any one time, creating the capacity to convincingly rotate and keep more players fresher and free from injury. Arsenal still has Monreal and Miguel to pick from. The system may allow the likes of Héctor Bellerín to begin having games in the senior squad and help the wingers come in as wingbacks. That allows Sanchez, Gnabry, and Walcott to be able to play more games, even as wingbacks.
But the strength of the system, lies in its potential to compliment a squad like Arsenal’s to be at the very top of their game, getting all dependable players into the first eleven, easing the younger players into the side and allow super attack mindedness to be implemented without interfering with the defensive setup. The use of Full back to attack often exposes the team but when there are three centre backs, the wingbacks can attack with flourish and panache – The Arsenal way. At times the set up can be varied to 3.5.2, 3.4.3 or 3.6.1 depending on the circumstances. And the variations can be many.
My best side would be_________________________________________________________Option 1
This is a side that brings the two best playmakers in the team Carzola and Ozil to share the CAM role. And it is a fast side with Sanchez and Walcott (Campbell until Walcott returns) in the wings – mouth watering.
Szczcesny
Debuchy, Martesacker, Konsielny
Ramsey, Arteta,
Ozil, Carzola,
Walcott, Giroud, Sanchez
Or as with the this side below you could have________________________________________Option 2
Szczcesny
Debuchy, Martesacker, Gibbs
Ramsey, Arteta,
Walcott, Ozil, Sanchez
Giroud, Sanogo
And you could have a rear triple pivot side _________________________________________Option 3
Szczcesny
Debuchy, Martesacker, Gibbs
Arteta, Ramsey,Wilshere
Walcott, Ozil, Sanchez
Giroud
And how about this experimental line up_______________________________________ Option 4
Szczcesny
Debuchy, Martesacker, Gibbs
Walcott, Ramsey, Arteta, Sanchez
Ozil, Giroud, Carzola
Still you could put together another formidable side ______________________________Option 5
Szczcesny
Debuchy, Martesacker, Gibbs
Walcott, Ramsey, Arteta, Sanchez
Ozil,
Giroud, Sanogo
How about this one _______________________________________________________Option 6
Szczcesny
Debuchy, Martesacker, Gibbs
Ramsey, Arteta, Wilshere
Walcott, Ozil, Carzola, Sanchez
And about this side ________________________________________________________Option 7
Szczcesny
Debuchy, Martesacker, Gibbs
Ramsey, Arteta,
Walcott, Ozil, Sanchez, Carzola
Giroud
How about trying this side __________________________________________________ Option 8
Szczcesny
Debuchy, Martesacker, Gibbs
Ramsey, Arteta,
Walcott, Ozil, Sanchez
Giroud, Campbell
And still you could try _____________________________________________________Option 9
Szczcesny
Debuchy, Martesacker, Gibbs
Ramsey, Arteta,
Walcott, Ozil, Carzola, Sanchez
Giroud
And what about _________________________________________________________Option 10
Szczcesny
Debuchy, Martesacker, Gibbs
Walcott, Ramsey, Arteta, Campbell
Sanchez, Giroud, Ozil
Imagine you have Wilshere, Ox, Podolski, Chambers, Diaby, Flamini, Bellerin, Gnabry, Rosicky, Konsielny, Monreal, all who have not been mentioned twice in this lineups for the bench power. Many of these will come as substitutes and through rotations. I believe this are not all, try other options too. And it is a team that can deploy MOST of the assets we have in the sector.
Nikkogunners