Arsenal missed out on the Premier League title last season despite leading the league table for the majority of it. Mikel Arteta’s men finished second, which was creditable. This time around, they will like to go one better.
The Gunners have not won the Premier League title in almost two decades. However, they have made a couple of big signings in the form of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz. They have also allowed Granit Xhaka to leave.
Arteta used Havertz as a left-sided central midfielder in a recent pre-season friendly, but it remains doubtful whether he will be used in that position once the season starts. Using Havertz as a No. 8 alongside Martin Ødegaard will make them a bit vulnerable defensively.
In such a scenario, let us take a look at three probable formations Arsenal could use next season:
4-2-3-1
This has been Arteta’s trusted formation so far, but adopting it again in the next season will mean that Havertz will find it difficult to get into the starting eleven. Gabriel Jesus should be the first choice to play as the No. 9, and with a couple of brilliant wingers in Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli already there, Havertz might have no place in the side.
Ødegaard, the No. 10 for the Gunners in the above formation, and Saka are virtually undroppable at the moment. With the double-pivot of Rice and Thomas Partey lending solidity, Havertz will have to directly contend with Jesus for a place in the starting eleven.
3-4-2-1
This formation might accommodate both Jesus and Havertz in the playing eleven – the former as the No. 9 and the latter as one of the two attacking midfielders along with Ødegaard just behind him. Having Ødegaard and Havertz in the final third will ensure a lot of creativity there, which could turn out be helpful for the Gunners. This will also display Arsenal’s strength – their two wingers – to good use as wing-backs.
This will allow Rice and Partey to continue providing the steel in midfield, with Gabriel, Rob Holding and Ben White playing as the three centre-backs. This probably looks the most balanced of the formations that the Gunners might use.
4-4-1-1
This formation can be used with Havertz playing in the hole behind Jesus, with Martinelli and Saka playing as side midfielders. The German should be more comfortable playing in this position, as it will offer him more freedom and also not oblige him to play as the lone frontman.
It will make the Gunners use a four-man defense, but will also mean that either of Partey and Rice will have to be benched.
Ødegaard will play as the central attacking midfielder in this formation. However, it will also make them somewhat vulnerable in defense, as the lack of the extra defensive midfielder might leave their defense a big exposed. Still, having an extra man at the back might allow them to defend deep and keep the opposition at bay.
However, players like Leandro Trossard and Fabio Vieira could very well stake claim for a place in the starting eleven with good performances, as none of the players can take their place for granted. Healthy competition within the squad will be something that Arteta will always cherish. It remains to be seen how he manages the resources at his disposal next season.