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

The 2019-20 Premier League season is here and every fan across the country is excited beyond belief. This feeling can be likened to that of Christmas Eve, where you just can’t wait to open your presents the next morning.

For Arsenal fans, this feeling is exemplified when you consider the transfer window they just had. Spearheaded by Raul Sanllehi, the Gunners made six signings, with five of them likely to feature this season.

Despite reports of a £45m transfer budget, the North London club was able to sign an LB, two CBs, a CM, RW and ST. In effect, they strengthened every department of their team as they look to combat the massive failings of last season.

Nicolas Pepe is one of Arsenal's new signings

Unai Emery is seemingly moulding the squad to his vision after having a season to assess the players Arsène Wenger left behind. With all the new acquisitions and assuming everyone is fit, the Gunners could line up in a number of ways suitable to different situations.

Here are three ways Arsenal could line up this season.

#3 Compact 4-3-3

Leno, Bellerín, Luiz, Sokratis, Tierney, Torreira, Xhaka, Ceballos, Pepe, Nelson, Aubameyang.

Arsenal have usually been found lacking in all away games, let alone against the top six. Often, the Gunners concede several goals whilst being unable to score many of their own.

In his first season at Arsenal, Emery wasn’t able to buck Arsène Wenger’s abysmal away form. Although they worked harder, the Gunners still looked vulnerable away from home.

Depending on personnel, the 4-3-3 can be an offensive or conservative formation. However, the selected line-up boasts a robust and hard-working midfield three that covers a lot of ground whilst negating the danger of counter-attacks.

When a midfield is congested, it forces opposing teams to go out wide where the ball can be defended against much easier. In attack, this pacey front three would force opposing teams to approach the Gunners with caution, forcing them to push their defensive lines 10 yards further back.

Also See : Epl table, Epl fixtures, Epl results

#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.

#1 Fluid 4-2-3-1

Leno, Bellerín, Luiz, Sokratis, Tierney, Guendouzi, Xhaka, Aubameyang, Özil, Pepe, Lacazette.

One thing you can always praise Arsenal for is their creativity going forward. Under Wenger, the Gunners were often branded as the side who play the most attractive football. But when that style of play couldn’t translate to trophies or defensive solidity, the novelty wore off.

Under Emery, Arsenal must translate that creativity into guaranteed wins.

This is a more expansive formation that could be used for home games against weaker opposition. It would help them effectively break down low blocks at the Emirates.

The system encourages the full-backs to operate high up the pitch, thus allowing the wide players to drift inside or double up on the flanks.

A front four of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mesut Özil, Nicolas Pepe and Alexandre Lacazette offers firepower, creativity and of course pacey movement. Meanwhile, a midfield pivot of Guendouzi-Xhaka provides energetic runs from deep and quick circulation of the ball around the pitch.