DOES UNAI HAVE AN OPTION SQUAD SET UP 4.2.1.3? by Nicholas
Arsenal are finally with a win, but the Gunners struggled and if you look at the numbers it’s even worse. We dominated in terms of possession. 61% to 39% is huge enough, but it was only in latter stages of the match that we build up our numbers.
I think by now Unai Emery must be aware that when Lacazette and Torreira are in the game we are far more dangerous going both going on the offensive and we are more compact on the defense.
Aubameyang———-Lacazette——–Mkhitaryan
————————Ozil/Ramsey———————-
———–Gunedouzi/Xhaka—–Torreira————–
Monreal—-Mavropanos—Sokratis–Bellerin
————————-Cech———————–
Clearly Unai would have done us a favour in signing a wing specialist. Despite being linked to a host of them, Arsenal did not buy a Winger. In this first XI, Aubameyang works from the left wing and Mhkitaryan on the other to cover some wing responsibilities. We know that these players have a skill set to harass defenders from the wing. Aubameyang thrives in speed exchanges and that’s what Lacazette brings to the game. The fullback will cover the other wing responsibilities. Somehow Welbeck can be better involved through this system. Players like Rowe, Nelson and Nketiah should get games too so that Emery integrates them into the side and system.
Ozil or Ramsey in the free number 10 role would do wonders. In this situation, both players are forward focused and rarely carry out defensive duties. Whomever is fit for the match between the two gets to start. If they both are not up to it, we can try either Mkhitaryan or Iwobi in that role.
In this side, we have Mavropanos or Holding replacing Mustafi. Clearly, the defense partnership between Mustafi and Sokratis is not working properly, and last season Mavropanos helped us in the latter stages of the season and should be given a chance to try and strike up a more cohesive partnership. Holding is a speedier player and can defend well on his day. Perhaps the partnership that would click will have him as one part of the pair. With this system, with the wings having shared responsibilities, the fullbacks will be much more keen on their responsibilities to defend and despite Emery wanting a high line press, they will not go too far off in advance to be caught out – like they have been doing this season. They will have better choices of when to advance high up or not to.
We have been missing goals that we should be scoring and we have also been trailing most of the matches under Unai Emery, perhaps this will be the balance that Unai has been looking for that we can start being pre-emptive as opposed to chasing games. Chasing games might be a great character that Arsenal did not have in plenty but sometime you will run after a game and the final whistle will get there before you do. It’s important to stamp our authority in matches.
Should Unai Emery adopt a variation of 4.3.3. with the system change to 4.2.1.3.?
Nicholas Oyoo