Three CB Defensive Pattern for New Season by Nicholas Oyoo
Arsenal have now adopted something that we discussed in this column way back in 2015. The three-man defense as per the article below. With all these advantages now being taken up to rescue our fortunes, lets speak about a three CB setup for next year. I would replace Ozil with Calhanoglu. This system gives Sanchez freedom to roam and engineer attacks. Giroud will go and in coming will be Lacazette. We have Holding and Gabriel just in case someone loses form in the 3 CBs we pick. Pattern 3.5.1.1. (Variation of 3.5.2). My argument has always been we have not really been set up to get the scores both in terms of personel and formation
Cech
Bellerin – Koscielny – Mustafi
Ox———-Xhaka——Kolasinac
Ramsey———Sanchez
Calhanoglu
Lacazette
Can a New Pattern Reestablish Arsenal’s Threat (First posted October 2015)
Arsenal is facing a crisis of thinness upfront. We seem not to have enough players to rely on to get the goals. We have two players who can put in the shift upfront but currently they are shooting without producing enough goals, although there is reason to believe Walcott will surpass his goals tally this season if he continues improving. Arsenal as a team has created the most chances this season but they seem to go unconverted. On the other side our defenses are being breached far too easily. So far we have kept only 3 clean sheets. One of those three was a nil-nil to Liverpool. But this is the season Arsenal are succumbing to shock defeats. Of the defeats Arsenal have so far succumbed to, 2 were in the Champions league, to sides that Arsenal would easily beat in previous engagements. Of course the other was West Ham and Chelsea. Arguably the Chelsea of this season is a very beatable Chelsea that everyone else seems to find ways to beat and Arsenal are just the only other side this Chelsea has won over.
Can Wenger revive Arsenal’s chances by adopting a new pattern this season? Playing with three defenders and packing the rest of the pitch with players who can hurt teams. We have not been feared for a long time and it’s getting scary. I’m suggesting a new pattern of 3.3.3.1.
There is an argument that three centre backs at the back are more responsible. They become more solid because they work their hearts out and become leaders in their own right. If well executed, a three man defense can prove a great asset. Plus we have arguably one of the best goalkeepers in the division who shall provide leadership to Marshall the defense. If we were to pick three players today I would go with Monreal, Konsienly and Bellerin. Gabriel can play for injured Konsienly. Then two-tier midfield will start with Coquelin, Carzola and Ramsey as the defending tier. (Perhaps Ox can play here). Ramsey would be the extra man in the side that brings all the difference. He will be in his favoured box to box role. Here he becomes the extra defender when we are under attack, he becomes the extra midfielder when we need to subdue a team that puts in a fight and he becomes the extra man running in to flick the ball past the goalkeeper when we are attacking. The second tier of midfield is attacking tier will have two wingers and an attacking midfielder. Here Ox will have his chance to shine but tactically we could have Ramsey on the right wing and OX goes Box to Box. Left wing will have Sanchez and Ozil in The centre. The striker inevitably is Walcott going by form at the moment.
The side here..
Cech
Bellerin – Koscielny – Monreal
—Ramsey – Coquelin – Cazorla–
Ox—————Ozil————Sanchez
Walcott
Advantages of the system
1) The ever present Extra Man could help tip the balance Arsenals way. The ‘extra man’ would force errors when we are attacking by the opposing team’s confusion over who to mark, he would close down the enemy in the midfield and he would help steal the initiative off the opponent attackers by his mobility to position himself at the less served areas.
2) The utilization of the pitch would be the most effectively deployed yet. In cases the opposing side has closed down some sections in the pitch Arsenal could quickly relocate to other sections where the opposition is less organized. If the opposition dares to match us in deployment, they would quickly tire themselves out and expose themselves to breakaway attacks from our players.
3) Arguably best usage of the strength that our squad boasts – midfield. With six midfielders who can transition to either becoming attackers or becoming defenders where and when the occasion demands, the side will be playing at its best possible advantage.
4) Wing support – Arsenal has traditionally been the wing masters and we have in the past terrified teams with our wing capabilities. This system would enable wings to be fully utilized for deployment of deadly attacks and repulse deadly raids on our side as there will be a two tier deployment awaiting the opposition’s moves.
5) Functional Potency – This system is a bit of in between of many systems that Arsenal can deploy. By removing the ‘Extra Man’ one can introduce a defender and the system will immediately revert to 4.2.3.1. By removing the extra man and introducing an attacker it would go into 3.2.3.2. With a second substitution you can move to 4.1.3.2. it a flexible system.
Is the 3.3.3.1 system the best possible pattern to bring Arsenal to full alertness and sharpness through this season?
Nicholas