When Arsene Wenger first took over as the new manager of Arsenal Football Club over 18 years ago, the Frenchman was not very well known but he soon became known around the world for his innovative ideas, both on and off the pitch. And it is safe to say that most of the football world has taken on board all the nutritional and behind the scenes stuff.
But in recent years, Wenger has been accused of being a bit set in ways tactically. An opposing team may struggle to cope with our passing, possession and fluency, but they have no problem working out what formation they will be facing when taking on the Gunners.
Wenger has long moved on from the old 4-4-2 though, and the 4-3-3 system does suit the style of play we use and the players in the Arsenal squad, but a new idea seems to be coming more and more into vogue, the 3-4-3 formation used by Liverpool at Anfield and in their last few games. Louis van Gaal used this with Holland at the World Cup finals in the summer and he has been using it in the Premier League at times this season with Man United, including when they came to the Emirates.
United were unbelievably lucky that day. They didn’t deserve a point never mind all three and their three at the back gave us plenty of chances, but the United players seem top be growing into it and I wonder whether it might be time for Wenger to consider it as well.
Three centre backs should in theory give better protection to our goal and having wing backs means the likes ofg Gibbs could get forward more without exposing the defence. And having four midfielders might help to solve the problem of our soft centre. It might also help us to cope with the problem of having the likes of Koscielny unavailable through injury as Wenger could set up like so:
Szczesny
Chambers/Debuchy, Mertesacker, Monreal
Bellerin, Flamini, Chamberlain, Gibbs/Cazorla
Alexis, Giroud, Welbeck
What do you think Gooners?