4 formations Arsenal should switch to for the end of the season
Arsenal have endured a troubled spell in recent months, with the Gunners boasting just three victories from their previous ten matches across all competitions.
That poor form has seen Arsene Wenger’s side slip to sixth in the Premier League standings and sit seven points behind the top-four, meaning the Gunners will have to improve significantly between now and the end of the campaign if they’re to secure their spot in the Champions League next season.
Given Arsenal’s woeful run, making changes for the remaining matches of the season could be a good call and the Gunners should definitely take a look at altering their formation to provide a different sort of threat.
Arsenal have adopted their current 4-2-3-1 formation for a while now but there are concerns that the set-up doesn’t work, with the deep midfield duo not quite matching their responsibilities and the forward men often finding themselves isolated.
Here, we’ve selected for alternative formations for the Gunners and shown how they could line-up in this set-up.
4-3-3
Arsenal have an abundance of talent on the wings and a 4-3-3 formation could really help them moving forward, whilst a three-man midfield would also aid the Gunners match their defensive responsibilities.
With Alexis Sanchez playing centrally, or out wide, the Chilean would earn a wealth of support from the players in the wide areas- where Arsenal could choose from Alex Iwobi, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott and Lucas Perez.
On top of that, Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey could also feature out wide if required but their best position would be in midfield, with the pairing accompanied by Granit Xhaka- and the defensive responsibilities of the Swiss ace would be eased as he’d have enough support.
Arsenal’s defence would remain unchanged in this formation and the additional support would really help them.
Potential Arsenal XI: Cech; Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Xhaka, Ozil, Ramsey; Walcott, Alexis, Welbeck.
4-1-2-1-2
With the striker at Arsenal often being isolated, and Mesut Ozil in the attacking midfield position often lacking support, a formation that would see the German given two options ahead of him, and the striker given a partner, could work perfectly.
The midfield options could be adjusted when required, either playing with the pairing out-wide, which would likely see Theo Walcott and Alex Iwobi selected, or pushed closer to the centre- which could give Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain the chance to excel.
Again, the defence would remain unchanged but having a defensive midfielder would provide a boost.
Potential Arsenal XI: Cech; Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Xhaka; Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Ozil; Alexis, Giroud
3-5-2
Chelsea have stormed the Premier League this season with a three-man defence and two wing-backs, which could also work for Arsenal- allowing them to get the best out of their attack-minded options in the wide areas of defence.
A back-line would consist of Shkodran Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny, with the trio being completed with the inclusion of Gabriel Paulista or Rob Holding.
The full-back roles would consist of Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal, with Granit Xhaka, Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil playing centrally- and that could see our German World Cup winner pushed forward to support the attack.
The strike-force would have plenty of options, including Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott, Danny Welbeck and Lucas Perez.
Potential Arsenal XI: Cech; Mustafi, Koscielny, Gabriel; Bellerin, Xhaka, Ozil, Ramsey, Monreal; Alexis, Welbeck
4-3-1-2
A similar formation to a 4-3-3, a 4-3-1-2 formation would allow Mesut Ozil to have a central-attacking position with plenty of support from deep and two options ahead of him- and this formation could see the German become the star he can be.
An unchanged defence would have support from the midfield trio ahead of them, which in turn would allow the attacking trio to focus solely on their offensive responsibilities- which could see Arsenal get the best out of their side.
Whilst the formation would see Arsenal do away with the abundance of talent they have on the wings, the majority of those players could fit other roles in this formation- with the likes of Theo Walcott, Danny Welbeck and Lucas Perez being options for a striking role.
Alex Iwobi and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could fight it out for a central position, where they’ve both played at times this season, and it would also leave room for Jack Wilshere to return ahead of the next campaign.
Potential Arsenal XI: Cech; Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Xhaka, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Ozil; Alexis, Giroud