3 Ways in which Arsenal can line up against Chelsea

Arsenal FC v Manchester City - Premier League
Emery has some serious decisions to make

After the opening weekend loss to Manchester City, Arsenal would want to get the ball rolling in the right direction. Their second assignment isn’t any easier with them travelling to West London to face Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea.

Unai Emery sprung a surprise in his very first game as he handed a start to teenager Matteo Guendouzi. In addition to this, his choice of goalkeeper left a lot of Gooners scratching their heads.

With Arsenal short at left-back, Maitland-Niles was given the nod to start but an untimely injury now means that the Gunners have to sweat on Monreal’s fitness. The positive for them, however, is that Monreal has returned to full training and should help solve their dilemma at left-back.

After publically showing faith in veteran Petr Cech, one can expect him to start between the sticks at Chelsea. The biggest worry for Emery though would be the form of Granit Xhaka, who looked off the pace against City.

Emery is a completely different manager to Arsene Wenger and implements completely different ideas to the Frenchman. Hence, it would be interesting to see how he lines up against Chelsea in his first away game.

Through this article, we would look at 3 different ways in which the Gunners could line up and the pros and cons of each system.


#1 Play with a 4-2-3-1

Arsenal FC v Manchester City - Premier League
Ozil would want to influence the game more

Starting Line-up: Cech; Bellerin, Mustafi, Sokratis, Monreal; Guendouzi, Torreira; Ramsey, Ozil, Aubameyang; Lacazette

The safest option would be to continue with the same system deployed against Manchester City. However, Emery would need to bring in different personnel if he hopes for a different outcome.

Granit Xhaka has been a regular since he was signed from Borussia Monchengladbach. Although he hasn’t hit the heights expected of him, he continued to start as the deep-lying playmaker for a lack of alternatives. On the opening weekend, Guendouzi proved that he has what it takes to be a part of Arsenal’s midfield.

On an afternoon where Xhaka was sloppy and lethargic, Guendouzi was anything but that. Gooners would hope that Guendouzi starts ahead of Xhaka.

As for Torreira, he wasn’t deemed to be match-ready after returning late from the World Cup. With a couple of weeks of full training behind him, one can expect him to start at the heart of midfield. After he came on against City, he solidified Arsenal’s midfield and gave them a creative edge as well.

The front four would be the most difficult to choose but Emery should go with Lacazette up front and Aubameyang, Ozil and Ramsey behind him.

Ramsey has played on the right before, famously when Arsenal ripped Manchester United to pieces at the Emirates. He would also track back a lot more than Ozil and provide cover to Bellerin. Aubameyang would start on the other flank and would re-ignite his sparkling partnership with Lacazette.

The most crucial role would be that of Mesut Ozil, who would start in his preferred No.10 position. After a sub-par performance last weekend, he would like to silence his critics and produce the goods for the Gunners.

#2 Play with a 4-2-3-1 but with different personnel

Club Atletico de Madrid v Arsenal - International Champions Cup 2018
Nelson could finally get his big opportunity in the Premier League

Starting Line-up: Cech; Bellerin, Mustafi, Sokratis, Monreal; Ramsey, Torreira; Nelson, Ozil, Aubameyang; Lacazette

This would be the most left-field of choices but including Nelson would give the Gunners some natural width on the pitch. Apart from this, Nelson would also track back a lot more than Mkhitaryan and help contain the threat of Marcus Alonso. Though Nelson hasn’t yet started a Premier League fixture, Emery could throw him into the deep end, like Guendouzi.

Nelson has been impressive whenever called upon. Over the summer, it looked as if his game had matured and he now looks battle-ready. Emery would be brave to hand another debut to another teenager in just his second game, but it makes a lot of footballing sense for him to do so.

The defence would remain the same while Ramsey would partner Torreira in midfield. The latter would act as the ‘screen’ in front of the back four while the former would have more of a license to go forward.

Even in this system, Ozil will function as the No.10 with Aubameyang playing on the left flank and moving centrally when required to support Lacazette.

The system would also help the Gunners press the Chelsea defence-line as they attempt to play out from the back.

If Emery actually takes this option, is anyone’s guess right now.

#3 Play with a 4-4-2 diamond

Arsenal v Burnley - Premier League
Arsenal would hope the two can fire them to glory

Starting Line-up: Cech; Bellerin, Mustafi, Sokratis, Monreal; Torreira, Ramsey, Guendouzi, Ozil; Aubameyang, Lacazette

This is the least likely option that Emery could employ as he has rarely deployed this system.

The midfield would line up in the shape of a diamond with Torreira playing at the base while Ozil would play as the No.10 at the tip of the diamond. Ramsey and Guendouzi would occupy the other slots in midfield and the Gunners would be strong centrally.

However, the width would have to be provided by the full-backs which could leave the Gunners exposed. It is not all doom and gloom though, as the likes of Torreira and Guendouzi would track back to cover for the marauding full-backs.

The only downside to this system is the lack of width. Although the system can be played to perfection, I’m not too sure if Emery is comfortable with the system himself.

The biggest positive though, would be the partnership of Aubameyang and Lacazette. The two strikers seem to possess a telepathic understanding and complement each other very well. The game against City changed after Lacazette was introduced. Just a minute after his arrival, Aubameyang teed up Lacazette, only for the Frenchman to fire wide.

While there are shortcomings with the system, the advantages of Arsenal’s front two could encourage Emery to make this tactical switch. If it starts working a charm for Arsenal, the Gunners could have a rendition of the famous Henry and Bergkamp partnership.

With just a couple of days to go, Emery has some serious decisions to make.

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Edited by Raunak J