Premier League 2019-20: 3 different ways Arsenal could line up this season

#2 Robust 3-4-3

Leno, Bellerín, Sokratis, Luiz, Holding, Tierney, Xhaka, Torreira, Özil, Pepe, Aubameyang.

Arsenal have never been criticised for their work going forward; it’s always been their inability to defend efficiently that has garnered the most attention. Wenger’s refusal to adopt a more defensive formation in certain situations contributed to many a humiliating defeat.

Emery is expected to adopt the opposite of that approach, as he’s renowned for tinkering with systems in response to different opposition.

This 3-4-3 system could be a weapon in the Gunners’ arsenal, excuse the pun, in order to close out games in the final 20 minutes. The formation sees Arsenal go to a back five/three with the emphasis on the Gunners keep things tighter in the middle and defensive thirds. That solidity then gives the attackers the platform to position themselves higher up the pitch.

With Mesut Özil starting on the right flank, this formation would give him a free role, acting as the link between the team and the two faster players in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe.