Our recent matches against Bournemouth, Sp*rs, Manchester United, and Huddersfield have marked a growing trend with Unai Emery and his Arsenal setup. If you've for any reason failed to notice, we've made an abrupt switch to a three centre back system.
You might remember this infamous tactical switch from the Arsene Wenger twilight era which lasted from the tail end of the 2016/2017 season and stretched for a good part of the 2017/2018 season before it was scrapped. We all know that Arsene Wenger made the switch in his best attempt to shock new life back into his team to revive them from their woeful form. The situation is all a bit different under Unai Emery. We haven't lost since our second match of the season away to Chelsea, we're right in the thick of the fight for the top four, and although there is plenty room for improvement performance wise, we're a far cry from last season.
We've seen Emery deploy our personnel in a number of different ways this season to start matches. 4231 seems to be his go to using a back four, however there is always a slim outside chance in a 442 as we saw at Craven Cottage against Fulham and even a 352 in our most recent victory against Huddersfield (which was scrapped at halftime). So while I have no shame in admitting I am not the biggest advocate of the back three setup, I feel that this system (and more specifically the 343) provides us the best balance and continuity with our given personnel.
Wide Reliance
There’s no hiding how reliant we are in utilizing our fullbacks to provide the wide offensive threats when we push forward. Given that we lack the players which fit the ‘tricky wide man’ bill, the notion of wide reliance is a concept we've all come to terms with. However, being a bit over reliant in that area with a back 4 is eventually quite taxing and it's a big ask, especially given our lack of quality in depth in those areas.
Nacho is our starting left back in a back four setup as long as he’s healthy, however he is not exactly in his peak years at the age of 32. Sead Kolasinac is capable of being deployed there, but there is justifiable argument in preferring the right footed Ainsley Maintland-Niles there instead due to defensive requirements.
Major difference between a back four and back three setups is the use of these wide men. With three centre backs, there can be more of an emphasis on pushing our opponents back due to our wingbacks having a higher starting position up the pitch, which they essentially become your outside midfielders. This works to great effect in properly utilizing Sead Kolasinac, and to some effect, Héctor Bellerin as well. On the other hand, the aging Nacho Monreal is capable of playing as the left sided centre back of the back three, or at left wingback if necessary.
Tactical Flexibility
We all know by now that Unai Emery will show no hesiststion in making bold in game tactical decisions. His double halftime substitutions are becoming a thing of regularity and given our first half performances this season, it’s quite typical to see at least one player hooked at halftime, even if their own personal performance doesn’t quite permit it.
We posses an interesting array of attacking players, however it’s clear they can’t always start together. Emery has to utilize them like a Swiss Army knife, specifically choosing how and when they are put to the most effective use. For example, the days of Ramsey and Ozil starting together are a thing of past. When Aubameyang starts as the lone centre forward you'll typically see Lacazette utilized from the bench. Having these types of players available off the bench gives you a numerous ways of changing the match.
Ramsey and Lacazette’s use against Sp*rs serves as a prime example of the flexibility this setup can provide. Their introductions were a master stroke as we seamlessly transitioned from a 343 (3421) to a 3412. Ramsey was the fulcrum in the tweak as he reaped havoc between the lines with his running and was a constant link to Aubameyang and Lacazette who helped stretch the game.
Complimentary Deployment
Although Mkhitaryan and Iwobi are entirely different players, I feel slotting them both in as inside forwards behind the centre forward is complimentary to the pair. Although they are both utilized on the flanks in a back four, neither are true wingers. Neither are used in a system with three central midfielders, nor as a number 10 which I discussed in this piece a number of month ago about our issues filling that role.
Playing as inside forwards can bring out the best of both worlds for Mkhitaryan and Iwobi in that they have more license to drive inside as playmakers with our wingbacks providing primary width, and they are also less restricted in their defensive duties. By design, the pair can be a vital creative force inside, and link the supply lines on the flanks to get the likes of Aubameyang on the end of moves.
All in all, I feel like this setup suits are current personnel the best. The big question for me is if it's a way forward in setting our side up, or just a tactical stop gap for the current run of matches. Regardless, one thing is for sure in Unai will keep us guessing. That, I can get used to.
@thetexasgooner
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