Arsenal can make no further changes to their squad after the winter transfer window. Mikel Arteta’s men are still on the hunt for a place in the top-4. They currently sit sixth, with 36 points from 21 games, just below West Ham (37 from 23) and Manchester United (38 from 22).

The Gunners are level on points with seventh-placed Tottenham Hotspurs who have a game in hand too. Eliminations from the EFL Cup and the FA Cup mean that Arteta can dedicate all his resources to concentrate only on the league. Here, we try to determine what Arsenal’s best XI could be for the remainder of the season:

Formation:

The relevance of a rigid formation is quickly decreasing in modern football. Formations and positions often take a backseat, as managers instead seek to set up a tactic that benefits all the players. In other words, the tactic should aim to maximize the strengths of all our players, and implement the manager’s vision of the game.

Let’s take an example. Manchester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa all use a 4-3-3 set-up. However, each manager has a different interpretation of the game and set the team up to benefit their players.

Pep Guardiola uses a false-nine and inverted full-backs. Liverpool’s system is engineered to regain possession quickly upon its concession, and in attack, Trent Alexander-Arnold is the team’s main creative outlet. Aston Villa lay with narrow wingers behind Danny Ings, allowing the full-backs to access higher areas of the field.

Likewise, it is important to understand Mikel Arteta’s vision of the game first, and then decide the players that best suit his style of play; and finally, the arrangement of the selected eleven on the field.

Arteta’s Interpretation and Tactics:

Mikel Arteta had a long and illustrious career as a player, representing Paris Saint-Germain, Everton and Arsenal. The Spaniard has worked with and under many great managers, including Arsene Wenger and Pep Guardiola.

Since taking over from Unai Emery in 2019, Arteta has implemented many formations: 4-2-3-1, 3-4-3, 4-3-3 and 4-4-2. The underlying principles of Arteta’s tactics have always remained constant:

Arteta prefers a possession-based style of football. Rather than building from long-balls, the 39-year-old opts for a conservative approach. To facilitate build-up, the Spaniard aims to create situations of numerical superiority in the centre of the field. The wings are often used as an outlet, but not a means of possession itself.

A clear distinction that can be made between Arteta and his former master Guardiola is the use of the ball. Guardiola used possession as an attacking tool. His protégé uses the ball as a defensive tool. “As long as we have the ball, we cannot concede” is well established.

Arteta often sets up a side that can retain possession well, to keep the opposition at bay. This comes at the expense of sacrificing his own attacking potentialities to an extent. Arsenal often prefer to play the safe pass or avoid taking a shot in situations where the reward may actually exceed the risk.

Off the ball, the Gunners look to press high. Arteta uses a 4-4-2 shape off the ball to regain possession quickly after losing it. The Spaniard can be more pragmatic when his team have the lead. Arsenal can often defend in a solid 4-5-1 shape to protect a lead and defend their own goal.

The Player Profiles:

1. Defence: Why Fix What Isn’t Broken?

The back 5 all but picks itself. Aaron Ramsdale has been crucial to Arsenal’s form this season. The 23-year-old has been an excellent shot-stopper but offers more to Arteta’s side. Ramsdale is comfortable with the ball at his feet and also at initiating attacks from the back. Opponents often look to defend in a 4-4-2 shape against Arsenal, so Arteta uses Ben White and Gabriel to carry the ball out of the back.

The most notable feature in Arsenal’s defence is the use of asymmetric full-backs. Takehiro Tomiyasu plays at a different height compared to Kieran Tierney or Nuno Tavares. The Japanese defender often tucks into the defence for the first phase of build-up. Tierney on the other wing plays in a far more advanced position, allowing the left-winger to drift in more often.

Nuno Tavares, Cedric Soares and Rob Holding are good backup options but do not threaten the place of any starter particularly. Does Arsenal’s defence require any modification?

2. Mid-Field Duo? Or Trio?

Arsenal have largely utilized a double pivot of Xhaka and Partey. In-game, however, the duo does not act as a classic double pivot. Thomas Partey either plays ahead of the centre-backs, or drops between White and Gabriel to allow Tomiyasu to progress. Xhaka meanwhile drops into the left-half space. This helps Arsenal maintain balance on the left flank and cover the space left behind by Tierney.

Lokonga has struggled in Partey’s role but thrived in Xhaka’s. The Belgian has looked good stepping into the half-spaces to aid build-up and strikes a composed figure in possession. In the game against Newcastle, where Lokonga played in the half-spaces, he put in, arguably, his best performance of the season. However, when deployed in a single pivot (against Burnley for example), the former Anderlecht captain struggled.

Everything essentially boils down to:

1. Thomas Partey is not droppable. The former Atletico Madrid man offers a profile distinct from Arteta’s other options. Mohamed Elneny can execute a similar role but does not offer the same quality in progressing play.
2. Lokonga could take over Xhaka’s role in the future. However, for the moment, the 29-year-old Swiss midfielder holds the edge. The former captain’s reading of the game and proactiveness in defence is crucial for the team. On the ball too, Xhaka is an essential commodity and plays a key role in the build-up phase.

Another interesting option would be for Arteta to experiment with a 3-man midfield. Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe were deployed as dual 8s in the absence of Partey and Xhaka. Odegaard in particular excelled. However, combing Odegaard and Smith Rowe in a three-man midfield meant the Gunners fell short defensively. Arteta does have the option to use either one of the two with Xhaka and Partey to create a 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 hybrid.

Is a double pivot better for Arsenal, or a three-man midfield?

3. How to Help the Wingers Shine?

Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have established themselves as sure starters under Arteta. The duo has looked bright, and been a constant hindrance to opposition defences. Arteta makes use of asymmetric wingers to balance out the asymmetric full-back structure. In his current set-up, Saka remains wide even in the attacking phase. Martinelli often drifts into the half-space, allowing Kieran Tierney to overlap.

Smith Rowe was utilised as a left-winger, and the Englishman thrived in the role. In fact, Smith Rowe is Arsenal’s top scorer this season with 8 Premier League goals. The 21-year-old has been dropped out of the starting XI in recent weeks. Is it possible for Arteta to still integrate the youth academy graduate without compromising the team structure?

4. The 9 Conundrum:

Arsenal have effectively been left with only Lacazette and Nketiah as centre-forward options until the end of the season. Both players will be free agents in the summer. Lacazette appears to be the clear favourite to continue occupying the 9-role.

At the beginning of the season, Aubameyang was preferred as Arteta’s centre-forward choice. Lacazette found an opportunity after a disciplinary breach by the now Barcelona man and has remained the primary centre-forward since then.

Lacazette and Aubameyang offer different profiles in the centre-forward role. The Gabon international was little involved in build-ups and often engaged the opposition defence. He was best suited to run into spaces off the ball. Aubameyang had 4 goals and a Premier League assist to his name until his departure.

The Frenchman prefers to drop deeper and get involved in the build-up more. He does not offer as much a threat in front of the goal but does more in the deeper areas. It is important to determine whether Lacazette dropping deeper actually works to the benefit of the team or not:

As expected, Aubameyang is more effective in front ofthe  goal. The 32-year-old is also more proficient in front of the goal. However, Lacazette contributes more in shot creation and making chances. How does his creativity numbers compare with the other creative team members?

We notice that while Lacazette does contribute to the build-up and creation, Smith Rowe, Saka and Odegaard remain the most important creators. Martinelli does not offer as much in terms of creativity but poses a larger shooting threat than the Frenchman. Arteta has been able to integrate any 4 of the 5 players into his starting line-ups. Does Alexandre Lacazette deserve his place in the XI? How could Arsenal play without the 30-year-old forward?

Summary:

In this article, we have established:

1. The use of rigid formations is obsolete in modern football. Mikel Arteta uses full-backs, wingers and a double pivot with contrasting roles. Our aim should be to identify the best player to fulfil the responsibilities in each role.
2. Arsenal’s defence is arguably the most settled area in the team. The players have clearly defined roles and responsibilities.
3. The double-pivot, wings and centre-forward positions have been occupied by certain players. However, the biggest scope for improvement lies in these positions.

We also have 3 questions to take forward while deciding the right players to be used:

1. Does Arsenal’s defence require any modification?
2. Is a double pivot better for Arsenal, or does a three-man midfield have more potential?
3. Is it possible for Arteta to still integrate Emile Smith Rowe into the starting line-up without compromising the team structure?
4. Does Alexandre Lacazette deserve his place in the XI? How could Arsenal play without the 30-year-old forward?

We will try and answer all these questions in the next part. For now, we would like to hear your opinion.

Read More:

• The Players Arsenal Targeted but Failed to Sign in the January Transfer Window – Whom and Why?
• Evaluating Arsenal’s Winter Transfer Window: The Signings and Departures
• Arsenal Signed Two MLS Players in January, the Only Transfer Ins | Who Are the New Signings?

Generally, Arteta’s teams in positions look like this:

• A goal-keeper (1) and 2 center-backs (2 & 3)
• A holding midfielder ahead of the centre-backs (6)
• 2 players (2 & 5) covering the half-spaces
• 2 advanced players (7 & 8) occupying the half-spaces higher up
• 2 wide players (10 & 11)
• 1 centre-forward (9)

What is the best XI Arteta can utilize to maintain the same structure? Should he use inverted full-backs to allow the wingers to remain wide? Or should he use advanced full-backs and move his wingers narrow? Or do you have another idea relating to how the current players can be used?

What are your thoughts regarding the best possible playing XI for Arsenal? Let us know in the comments section below.

Stay tuned for the latest updates on Arsenal.