Tactics – How can Arsenal line-up with Mkhitaryan, Aubemeyang, Lacazette and Ozil

ARSENAL TACTICS: 6 PATTERNS TO GET MOST ARSENAL’S ATTACK MINDED PLAYERS FIELDED by Nicholas Oyoo

With exciting new breaking in multiple channels that Arsenal will get Aubemeyang this January, in a window that we have shipped out Sanchez and acquired Mkhitaryan. The focus on rebuilding a new attack unit despite our defending being one of the bad linkage of our team may be seen as same old, same old. In attack we have lost Walcott and Sanchez and we may be losing Giroud too.

However, I insist that we have been shipping goals because our attack has been wanting. We are highly creative no doubt but we lack the killer punch to get the ball directed into target and even worse at getting targeted shots actually turned into goals. Notice, we are also losing Walcott whose claim for a start has recently been unrequited and he was partly involved and we acquire a player who has been top range in attack the last few seasons – Aubameyang for Walcott. And we have also exchanged a player (Sanchez) who has had issues in the changing room but also his playing style with his best asset for assist making (Ozil) is not really clicking fully. Sanchez will keep ball, dribble a lot, change directions and shot after the fact. Ozil will want one-two flicks and provide killer passes to be tapped in one time and take full advantage of the first touch to beat defenders and cross quickly. The two together have not really set the EPL ablaze.

I also want to point out that Arsene Wenger pattern transition to one Central Forward has also affected and lost changes for fielding our best attacking set-up out there. When Giroud came, he was expected to carry on from where Robin Van Persie left, yet Giroud thrives on support striker system and not as a lone striker. Soon Arsene took favour of Sanchez in that lone striker role and finally replaced Giroud with Lacazette. Wenger also changed the defensive unit from back four but in my view not to back three but rather back 5, pulling out one more attacking asset to shower up the defense. This in my considered opinion resulted in several things.

1) Weakened attacking – The extra man attacking effect that Ramsey provided us with once, was taken away and turned into stopping us from conceding goals.

2) Invitation to attack us – Arsenal football philosophy had quietly shifted and now we were inviting opponents to come and attack us as they would see we were not operating in full attack gears and it was easy for them to get into our defending side of the pitch much quicker as they countered lesser bodies on the way.

3) The defender turned attackers – have you noticed that the defenders are contributing to much more goals lately. It is because for compensation of removing the extra attacker Arsene must have asked the defenders to assist in attacking. This meant more chances of the ball falling kindly for a non-specialist goal scorer, they will often be caught out we ended up conceding even more when we finally settled to the system fully and the defenders became much more comfortable going out.

So I will not TOLERATE any pattern that will keep Aubemeyang or Lacazette out. Giroud or Walcott could have been the extra players that were kept away from Sanchez and Ozil. and Lacazette has lacked a support player too.

Having said those, here are the six option that Arsene Wenger should consider fielding.

Pattern 1 – 4.2.4.

This one will operate with no centre forwards and the two Attackers Aubemeyang and Lacazette will operate as WING FRONTS. Just like a Wing Back does most of their work in the wing but with a bias to defend, so will these tow work on the wing with an attacking bias. The other two attackers Ozil and Mkhiytaryan will operate as a duet Attacking Midfielders just as lately Arsene preferred to field Sanchez and Ozil.

Aubameyang——————————-Lacazette
—————-Mkhitaryan——-Ozil——————
——–Xhaka——————Wilshere——-
Kolasinac———Mustafi——— Koscienly—–Bellerin
————————Cech———————-

Pattern 2 – 4.4.2 Diamond
————–Aubemeyang-Lacazette—————-
———————–Mkhitaryan———————-
———–Wilshere———————-Ozil———–
—————————–Xhaka————————–
Kolasinac———Mustafi——— Koscienly—–Bellerin
————————Cech———————-

Pattern 3 – 3.5.2
————–Aubemeyang-Lacazette—————-
———Ozil———Mkhitaryan——-Ramsey——-
——————Xhaka———–Wilshere—————
——–Kolasinac——–Koscienly—–Bellerin———
————————Cech——————–

Pattern 4 – 3.4.3
——-Aubemeyang—–Lacazette—–Ozil————–
—————————Mkhitaryan————————
————Xhaka—–Wilshere—–Ramsey————–
——–Kolasinac——–Koscienly—–Bellerin———
———————Cech——————–

Pattern 5 – 4-1.3.2
——————-Aubemeyang-Lacazette—————–
——Ramsey———–Mkhitaryan———–Ozil——–
—————————–Xhaka————————–
Kolasinac———Mustafi——— Koscienly—–Bellerin
————————Cech———————

Pattern 6 – 4.3.3 (4.3.1.2)
——————-Aubemeyang-Lacazette—————–
—————————Mkhitaryan————————-
————–Xhaka——–Wilshere——-Ozil————-
Kolasinac———Mustafi——— Koscienly—–Bellerin
————————Cech———————

In any case we have a back three we should ask our defenders to stay back and defend and tackle only when the unique opportunity arises or situations such as set-pieces.

Which would you pick? How else would you like Arsenal to line up with most of our attack minded players in the pitch with Mkhitaryan, Aubemeyang and Lacazette and Ozil starting together? I personal would go with the first pattern. 4.2.4.

48 Comments

  1. It may only be a problem until this summer if Ozil leaves. I think if Ozil leaves, Wenger won’t replace him. Wenger will just use Mkhitaryan in his position.

    But i like
    …..Ozil…Mkhi
    Lacz……….Aubm

    1. That’s what I think as well. Mkhi for Ozil, Auba for Alexis, and although the new ones are both quality, they are downgrades.

      1. what do you mean when you said downgrade. You are full of rubbish in your mind, One thing i noticed about some of arsenal fans sometimes they lack thinking, how can you said that Laca and Auba are downgrade. Sanchez when he came from barca was not the way he is Wenger made him you fool. Both Lac and Auba will be great as Wenger knows how to get the best from the players. Go and join that sulk stink attitude sanchez and Jose at Man united.

        Be grateful club is signing good players now you are saying downgrade, Why didn’t you beg sanchez not to leave for money as he is no longer playing or enjoying football is all about money

        1. 352 then.

          ……………..Auba…..Laca
          ……………Ozil……………Mkhit
          Kolasinac………..Niles………..Bellerin
          ……….Monreal..Mustafi..Koscielny

          Bench ..Giroud Ramsey Wilshere Elneny Xhaka Chambers

        2. Mate-Wenger did NOT make Sánchez a better player.Tell me WHO Wenger has improved as a player in the last 10 years.If Wenger HAD the ability to improve players Sanchez would still be here and our top players would not be moving on to other clubs.
          Just look at what Pep has done with Sterling this year.THAT is a coach improving players.Another DELUSIONAL AKB

      2. I think Mkhi would be a downgrade for Ozil def but Aub is pretty much same quality as Alexis. Mkhi is a very good player and hard working but in #10/CAM position he doesn’t have the quality and magic Ozil has.

        Im hopin Ozil will re-sign. Ozil would flourish with United having Pogba and Matic behind him and Alexis, Lukaku in front/beside him. So, i don’t know

        He would flourish with us if Wenger could sign a Cazorla like central midfielder

  2. Any of the OP’s formation could work, if used against the right opposition, or fail miserably if faced with the wrong team. It’s foolhardy to insist on a single formation or to pick players to appease their egos. Winning should be a priority, followed by playing attractive football.

  3. Out of Topic: interesting rumours Olivier Giroud for David Liuz from Chelsea Swap…I wish they could be given a hooded Welbeck passed for giroud, that would make it must make swap…

      1. Haven’t we already got enough problems in defence, without Luiz? He’s not a good defender, and nearing the end of his career anyway. Not to mention the fact he deliberately tried to break Kolasnic’s leg earlier in the season.

  4. I get your love for Kolasinac but benching your best defender for the past 3 season??
    Monreal not in the line up, Lol.
    Ridiculous

  5. We must play to the strengths of the players Wenger has at his disposal and we must play with both Lacazette and Aubemayang up top in a 442.Why put one of two strikers out wide just to put them in the team.Our full backs offer the width.Either of Kolasinac or Montreal are good going forward.Bellirin is excellent going forward but seems to have forgotten how to beat his man on the outside and has yet to be told that an ideal cross into the box is better than continually hitting the first man.Why expect Jack to sit and hold?He does his defensive work But is far more effective going forward.I would trust AMN as a holding midfielder over the ineffective and inconsistent Zhaka with Ozil and Mikki as the attacking midfielders.
    Cech
    Bellerin Mustafi Kos Kolasinac
    AMN Jack
    Mikki Ozil
    Lacazette Auba

    For gods sake keep Ramsey and Iwobi away from this line up

    1. Totally with you on this Phil. I simply can’t understand why so many Gooners, including the article writer want Xhaka within a million miles of our team. As a real dud he stands out a mile as a sell asap. I really rate AM-N if Wenger EVER intends to use him in his best position , which is however unlikely.

  6. I am a real cynic where AFC and transfers are concerned. When, and if, the Aubameyang deal is confirmed that’s the time to comment. Whatever happens we must keep Ozil.

    1. andcliff, You are not a cynic at all, merely a realist who factors in Wengers obstinacy , as do I too. SO MANY PEOPLE FOOLISHLY JUMP THE GUN AND MAY WELL BE LEFT WITH EGG ON THEIR FACES.

    2. Yes, but after a long time I found myself looking forward to the new season… with Ozil, Wilshere, Mkhi, Auba, and others…
      …and no Wenger if possible.
      Maybe Ozil will go, Wenger will stay, but…
      …there is more chance then ever that it will end up oposite and that would be lovely!

  7. I will first wait to see if PEA actually joins , before making formations with him. Secondly , I note all the writers formations include the awful Xhaka which straightaway weakens our team. I would sell him this window if possible -or in summer if not – and play AM-N there who is vastly more mobile, a far better player and to me the perfect fit as a central midfielder who can both attack and defend.

  8. None of the above I must say..
    Here’s why…
    1st No because you’ve put Miki on left..
    2nd No because Miki is CAM
    3rd and 4th No because of 3 at the back.
    5th because Ramsey is in
    6th No because Miki on CAM.
    I mean..really?
    This would work perfectly :

    ——-14————9———–7——–

    ———————11——————–

    ————–29/30——10—————

    —31/18——20——-6———-24—–

    Hope just Auba comes and Wenger play him together wit Laca.

      1. Hahahah
        Heres for you mate:

        Auba14 Laca9 Miki7
        Ozil11
        Xhaka29/MNeils30 JackW10
        Sead31/Monr18 Musti20 Kos6 Bell24

    1. Ozil on CAM Miki on right – because we must stop playing players out of their best positions.
      Ramsey on the bench – because if (specially Jack W) and everyone else fit theres no room for him in starting 11.
      And last we must stop playing with 3 at the back.

      1. We looked better after the switch v Chelsea. Chelsea waltzed straight through Wilshere Koscielny and Ospina for the first goal (first goal is huge in these games). Elneny is better defensively than Wilshere and Xhaka. So is Ramsey for that matter. Ozil has been our best performer this season, Ramsey’s been better than everyone …bar Ozil.

  9. with PEA we can remain an awesome prospect i hope laca thrives with the two new offensive players we’ve got in – we need CB and a bit of steel in midfield. a new captn would make sense and i think monreal deserves it. final point what will become of santi ?

    1. Honestly I think you are right about Monreal…he is the loudiest and cockiest player on the pitch so it looks to me as a captain material but he wont stick around here for long so theres no point giving him armband.
      As for Santi..unfortunately because of his injury hes done an dusted.

      1. Monreal v Manu / Monreal v Liverpool / Monreal v City

        People are listening to Merson, he hasn’t got a clue what he’s on about. He overreacts to everything, up and down. Charlie was right with what he said, Monreal was apart of our shaky defending, he gets sucked in so easily, him and a couple of others. He’s not a leader. Not a CB neither.

  10. Although I agree defenders turned attackers very often because lack of “attacking options” …if Auba joins that should be sorted with enough power upfront.

  11. 4231

    Cech(Ospina)
    Bellerin(Debuchy)/Mustafi(Chambers/Per)/Kos(Mavrop/Holding)/Sead(Monreal)
    AMN(ElNeny)/Jack(Xhaka)
    Auba(Nelson)/Ozil(Rambo)/Mkhitaryan(Welbroke/Iwobi)
    Laca(Giroud/Nketiah)

    Have the ACM sit deep at times to help transition from CM to Attack, almost being a 3rd CM but not really as neither Ozil or Rambo are reliable defensively but they are both quality in helping the team attack in their own ways. Plan A/Plan B.

    Laca as CF instead of Auba: Laca has a good burst of pace but not the sprinter that Auba is. Laca has tidy feet and can wriggle out of tight pos better than he can get past a man running with the ball at his feet while not losing the potency of attack, Laca will make a good pass instead which is what a hold up CF would be doing to bring in the wide forwards into play. Laca has shown he is more than just a poacher but let us not forget he is still a great poacher and players like Mkhitaryan and Auba will create opportunities which we are not creating now, he did prove that he can score 30+ goals in a season when in form and being provided good enough service.

  12. Well it will be hard to score 30+ even for Auba..I mean, it would be awesome and I hope he does but this is EPL not Bundesliga.
    The fact is though that he will be a threat for our opponents and sure he will create some extra space for Lacca and the others.

  13. Why did the author use these ugly globs of texts and dashes to visualize his lineups? There are free lineup generators online that would allow you to make graphics instead. Where is the 4-2-3-1 formation with Ozil in the middle?

  14. Yes 4-2-3-1 should be it.
    ——Chech
    Bel – Kos – Mus – Mon
    — AMN – Ram
    Aub – Oz – Mkh
    —– Lac

    Sorry I rate an inform Ramsey higher then Wilshere. Also Ramsey more defensive. Xahka exposes our back 4 unfortunately.

    Plan B
    —- Osp
    Deb – Hol – Cham – Kol
    — Xahka – Eln
    Nel – Wils – Iwobi
    —-Welb

  15. We will play 4-3-3 as wenger already played against Chelsea and palace with a fluid front 3 mkhi auba laca, ozil as am with 2 central mid one attacking and one holding mid. We will need a new kante style cm to partner wilshere or Ramsey.
    If Ramsey and wilshere can find an exceptional understanding of when to push forward or stay back they can play together against Park the bus teams.

  16. All this permutation when PEA hasn’t come? Remember lemar and sanchez deals last summer. I wld see PEA wearing an arsenal shirt first on arsenal.com before ii starting thinking about how to tinker the team

  17. I think our best will be 4-3-1-2

    PChec
    Bellerin – Mustafi-Kosc-Monreal
    Mikhi – Xhaka – Wilshere
    Ozil
    Auba-Laca

    We will heavily rely on Full backs for width, which means Xhaka and Wilshere have to be very disciplined and clever in thier attacking play.

    There will ofcourse be drfiting to the channels for Auba and Laca based on where the ball is and still have one of them as a presence in the Box.

    Its will be really awesome to see us play to this strength…

  18. I think when we are defending it will look different to when attacking.

    ………..Auba (will win the right to start here I feel)
    Laca……Ozil…….Mkhit

    It will look like that but when attacking I reckon it will look more like two strikers looking to feed off of two no10’s behind them. So a bit like your first formation up top. My only concern here is …Lacazette is so obviously a striker, could we actually ask him to follow his marker all the way back up left wing, on a regular basis. I don’t think we could do this for too long. The only way this works is if the two strikers get a good combination going and also be in direct competition to one another when only place for a striker.

    3421, Wenger might try Mkhit in CM if we lack creativity. Cazorla, Hleb come to mind.
    Also I get the impression that Mkhit is insurance for Ozil talks not going to plan. Sky Sports say that Auba is coming in because we are not happy with Lacazette’s lack of goals, so we want two good options vying one another for one spot. Laca was the younger model, I’ll be happy enough if Wenger sees these two like he used to see Bergkamp / Kanu. ..(Henry / Wiltord was not really a choice).

  19. Kolasinac, Mustafi, xhaka are average players who are not good enough for Arsenal if they are intent on winning the Premier League.

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