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