Been thinking about the Koopmieners link. Seen as a like for like for Xhaka but he is more press resistant. He can actually turn and has played significantly at centre back. I was thinking of a formation that would allow us to move from 3 4 3 to 4 3 3and be flexible, while getting most players on the pitch.
Out of possession we could adopt a 343 or 433.
--------Auba--------Target man------Pepe
Saka-------Koopmieners---Partey-----Soares
-----------Tierney-----Luiz------Saliba
-------------------------Leno
Auba-----------Target man----------Pepe
------------Saka----------------Partey
--------------------Koopmeiners
Tierney---Luiz---------Saliba------Soares
-----------------------Leno
In possession:
Tierney----------Auba--Target man-----Pepe
---------------Saka----------------------------Soares
----------------------------------------Partey
-----------------Koopmeiners-----Saliba
------------------------------Leno
Trying to guess what Arteta's plan is.
How do you know he's more press resistant? The only clips I've found of him are of him playing in the Eredivisie with him spraying passes with basically no pressure on the ball whatsoever. Xhaka would probably look press resistant in the Eredivisie.