Since the arrival of Mikel Arteta in December, there have been noticeable tactical adjustments not only in formation but how the team is set up with and without the ball. Arteta has employed a few different formations during his short tenure at the club and in this article, I aim to explain how each could be used this season and where different players may fit in each system.
3-4-3
We have started both games this season with three at the back and this is a system that Arteta regularly utilized last season, most notably in our victories against Manchester City and Chelsea in the FA cup. I believe this system is designed to overload the left allowing our key man Aubameyang that extra yard of space he needs to work his magic.
The middle of the back three will always contain a defender who is comfortable on the ball and is able to distribute passes from deep. Last season this man was David Luiz but this season it has been new signing Gabriel Magalhães who has done incredibly well in the role, picking up two man of the match awards in our first couple of games. On the left of the back three, will always contain a natural left back who is strong going forward as opposed to a traditional centre-half. Tierney is usually the man for this role and it allows him to push forward when we have possession. Notice how when Tierney was injured in the warm up against West Ham, it was Kolasinac who took his place in the starting eleven instead of a natural CB in Luiz. Crucially, for this to work how Arteta envisions it too, Xhaka drops back into the three as cover while Tierney joins the LWB and Aubameyang down the left flank to overload the wing.
(Photograph: Ben Stanstall/NMC Pool/PA Wire)
If you look closely at this picture of Aubameyang's goal against Fulham last weekend, you can see both Maitland-niles and Tierney making clever runs around him. This creates confusion for the defender, allowing Aubameyang to cut in and score the goal. This overload of the left side has been a feature of our attacking prowess under Arteta and is a method in which we have scored many goals.
In midfield, Xhaka is equally vital to this as he needs to have the awareness to know when to drop back into the three but also when to know when to transition back alongside Ceballos. This role suits Xhaka to a T as being left footed himself, it is easy for him to make the adjustment while giving more time to spray passes from deep. Ceballos on the right side of the pivot is also vital as he needs to be able to control the game virtually by himself in the middle, making himself available for defenders while being able to impact the game in the final third. It is a physically demanding job and perhaps this is why we have been linked with Thomas Partey of Atletico Madrid all summer as he is someone who can play that box to box role due to his impressive stamina.
The wing backs also play a big role in the success of this system as they have to push forward to pile pressure on the opposition's defence. This also allows the forwards to have more time on the ball to play the killer pass as marauding runs from the wing backs create good distractions for defenders. We have seen Maitland-niles thrive at left wing back recently as his natural athleticism allows him to support Aubameyang on the left channel. Saka is a solid back-up for this role as he has quality in the final third. On the other side, you’d expect Bellerin to be first choice in this role with Cedric providing cover. Both players are strong going forward and have the ability to play the right pass when they get to the byline.
The front three also know their specific roles as the lone striker is expected to play as a ‘false 9’ dropping deep to hold the ball up for the wide players to find space in behind. Lacazette is more than capable of playing this role as his main strength is playing with his back to goal. This draws defenders out of position and creates space in behind for the likes of Aubameyang and Willian to run in behind. Nketiah has also shown evidence that he can play in this position as his high work rate puts pressure on defenders.
This has become a very triumphant formation for Arteta and one that the players have taken good understanding to. The players seem very clear on their roles and it seems unlikely that he will change this for the time being.
4-3-3 / 4-2-3-1
Despite the success of three at the back, there have been whispers that Arteta's desired formation is four at the back with the extra man in midfield. There were rumours that Willian was signed with the idea that he would play as an attacking midfielder in a four at the back formation. Thus far this hasn’t happened but let's take a closer look at how we might look if we were to change formation.
The full backs would have to be slightly more reserved as the one less man in defence would leave us vulnerable to the counter attack if we were to lose the ball. However, I still assume Tierney would go forward when we have the ball with Xhaka dropping back to cover. This would still give Aubameyang the freedom to roam while giving us balance at the back. Crucially, both centre backs will have to be comfortable on the ball and be natural centre- halves. It's thought that Arteta would want a left footed player on the left side as that balances the defence. New signing Pablo Mari could be the man for that job, although he doesn't return to full training for a couple of weeks. If you’re interested in the value of a left-footed CB then Tom Worville of The Athletic wrote an interesting article on this. (https://theathletic.co.uk/2049395/2020/09/08/explained-left-foot-centre-back-ake-laporte/?article_source=search&search_query=left%20footed)
In midfield, there are two possible options to how the team is set up. One man sitting with two more attacking players alongside him (4-3-3) similar to how Liverpool set up with Fabinho as the holding midfielder. Alternatively, have two holding players in a double pivot with an attacking midfielder ahead of them (4-2-3-1). I get the feeling that unless we bring in another midfielder, it’s unlikely we play the former as Arteta only seems to fully trust Xhaka and Ceballos. We have been strongly linked with Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar recently and he possesses the creativity needed to play as part of that three. If we were to sign him, I could see Xhaka as the holding midfielder with Ceballos and Aouar slightly further forward. This system could be used against teams who sit deep as the extra man in midfield could be used to unlock a stubborn defence. On the other hand, we could continue to operate the proven double pivot of Xhaka-Ceballos but instead have Willian in front of them as an attacking midfielder. This could be useful in games where we might see less of the ball as that extra pace going forward could be useful when we need counter attack. This system could also see the return of Mesut Ozil into his favoured attacking position though it remains to be seen if he is part of the managers plans this season.
I don’t think much would change in attack as the striker would still operate as a ‘false 9’ creating space for runners in behind. Aubameyang would still receive extra support down the left and the pressing would still start from the front.
Arteta is known to alter his formation based on opposition and perhaps he may spring a few surprises this season. I hope this article has given you some insight to how Arteta has changed the way we play on and off the ball and how we could line up in games this season.
JH
What a super report this is Jonathan knows his football