Written by Waterboy on Tuesday, 06 September 2011 06:11

With all the recent transfer dealings going on this summer and the departure of key players in the form of Fabregas and Nasri , my recent thoughts have largely focused on what formation best suits Arsenal’s current squad.

With this in mind I thought it would be interesting to dissect the current Arsenal squad (first team and young professionals) and see what Arsenal might look like under a 4-4-2 formation, a 4-1-3-2 formation as well as a 4-2-1-3 formation.

4-4-2 Formation

Over the last 15 years the 4-4-2 formation has proved to be quite a successful template for the Gunners. This formation was based on:

· two powerful centre halves (Campbell, Toure, Adams and Keown);

· two tough as nails but attacking full backs who regularly overlapped the two wide midfielders and got to the by-line to cut balls back into the box (Lauren, Cole, Dixon and Winterburn);

· two tall and powerful central defensive midfielders whose primary focus was on breaking down oppositions attacks through physically imposing themselves on the opposition (Vieira, Petit, Gilberto and Parlour) and quickly moving the ball to the creative striker or wide midfielders;

· two crafty wide midfielders who by in large kept things simple when on the ball but relentlessly made off the ball attacking runs into the box (Overmars, Pires, Ljungberg);

· one creative striker who would not only look to pick out the dangerous runs of the wide men and his clinical strike partner but also contribute with his fair share of goals (Bergkamp, Kanu); and

· a clinical and pacey marksman who relentlessly made off the ball attacking runs into the box (Henry, Wright and Anelka).

Taking the physical and technical characteristics of the current Arsenal squad into consideration, here is how I believe the current playing group would slot into a 4-4-2 formation:

GK:
Szczesny, Fabianski, Mannone, Almunia, Shea, Martinez, McDermott

RB:
Sanga, Jenkinson, Coquelin, Hoyte, Eastmond, Yennaris

RCB:
Mertesaker, Koscielny, Squillaci, Bartley, Boateng, Angha, Hajrovic, Monteiro

LCB:
Vermaelen, Miquel

LB:
Gibbs, Santos, Botelho, Brislen-Hall

RM:
Arteta, Benayoun, Rosicky, Diaby, Ramsey, Denilson, Lansbury, Ozyakup; Ebecilio

RCDM:
Song, Frimpong

LCDM:
-

LM:
Wilshere, Henderson, Galindo, Meade

Creative Striker:
Van Persie (L) Bendtner (R), Park (R), Aneke (R)

Clinical Striker:
Gervinho (R), Walcott (R), Chamakh (R), Vela (L), Miyaichi (L), Afobe (R), Chamberlain(R), Watt (L), Wellington (L), Freeman (R), Murphy (R), Ansah (R), Neita (L)

Whilst under this formation Arsenal appear to be sufficiently stocked in the clinical and creative striker department (particularly in the clinical striker role) Arsenal’s current squad appears to lack significant depth in terms of:

· powerful centre halves ( particularly on the left side of central defence);

· hard as nuts but attacking full backs who regularly overlapped the two wingers and get to the by-line to cut balls back into the box (whilst Sanga takes care of the hard nut part and Gibbs takes care of the attacking runs, both, in my view, fall short in the other department);

· tall and powerful central defensive midfielders (particularly left footed central defensive midfielders) whose primary focus is on breaking down oppositions attacks through physically imposing themselves on the opposition and quickly moving the ball to the creative striker or wide midfielders; and

· crafty wide midfielders whose natural tendency is to make relentless off the ball attacking runs into the box (particular on the left side).

In short, whilst this formation has over the last 15 years brought Arsenal much success, a drastic overhaul of the current squad would appear to be required, particular in central midfield and central defence, in order for this formation to be considered workable.

4-1-3-2 Formation

A few seasons back Arsenal moved away from the 4-4-2 formation, after experiencing limited success with the lightweight Fabregas and Flamini occupying the two central defensive midfield roles. To accommodate the growing number of less physical but highly technical central attacking midfielders in the squad at the time, Arsenal appeared to change their formation to a 4-1-3-2 setup. In that particular season, Flamini took on the lone central defensive midfield role with Rosicky (left), Fabregas (central) and Hleb (right) operating in central attacking midfield roles behind two strikers in Eduardo (left) and Adebayor (right). Whilst towards the end of that season Arsenal faded as Hleb and Rosicky took up quite wide positions on the right and left respectively and Eduardo and Flamini were struck down with injuries, Arsenal enjoyed considerable success earlier in the season when Hleb and Rosicky tucked in and played more centrally. Doing so appeared to enable them and Fabregas to create a plethora of opportunities for both Eduardo and Adebayor.

As partly alluded to above, the success of this formation, in my view, is based on:

· two powerful centre halves;

· two hard as nuts but attacking full backs who regularly get to the by-line to cut balls back into the box;

· a tall and powerful central defensive midfielder whose primary focus is on breaking down oppositions attacks through physically imposing themselves on the opposition and quickly moving the ball to the central attacking midfielders;

· three crafty and highly technical central attacking midfielders with the ability to: find open space between the opposition’s midfield and defensive lines; execute through balls to either of the two strikers or the advancing full backs; and push into the box when appropriate to provide an additional striking option; and

· two clinical and preferably pacey marksman who relentlessly make off the ball attacking runs into the box.

Once again taking the physical and technical characteristics of the current Arsenal squad into consideration, here is how I believe the players would slot into a 4-1-3-2 formation:

GK:
Szczesny, Fabianski, Mannone, Almunia, Shea, Martinez, McDermott

RB:
Sanga, Jenkinson, Coquelin, Hoyte, Eastmond, Yennaris

RCB:
Mertesaker, Koscielny, Squillaci, Bartley, Boateng, Angha, Hajrovic, Monteiro

LCB:
Vermaelen, Miquel

LB:
Gibbs, Santos, Botelho

CDM:
Song, Frimpong

RCAM:
Arteta, Diaby, Ramsey, Denilson, Lansbury, Ozyakup

CAM:
Arshavin, Rosicky, Benayoun, Aneke

LCAM:
Wilshere, Henderson, Galindo

RS:
Gervinho, Walcott, Bendtner, Chamakh, Park, Chamberlain, Afobe, Freeman, Murphy, Ansah

LS:
Van Persie, Vela, Miyaichi, Watt, Wellington

Under this formation, Arsenal appear to be sufficiently stocked in terms of quality strikers and right sided and central attacking midfielders. That said, Arsenal appears to still have some shortcomings in terms of the height and depth in our central defensive midfield options as well as a lacking significant depth in terms of:

· powerful centre halves ( particularly on the left side of central defence); and

· hard as nuts but attacking full backs who regularly overlapped the two wingers and get to the by-line to cut balls back into the box.

That said, in contrast to the way in which Arsenal’s squad stacks up under a 4-4-2, this formation appears more suitable given the current Arsenal squad’s depth in central attacking midfielders and strikers.

4-2-1-3 Formation

In more recent seasons and particular last season, Arsenal appeared to again change their formation, this time to a 4-2-1-3 setup. Whilst at first glance it may appear that this formation from the defensive midfielders back, mirrors the central midfield and defensive setup under Arsenal’s previous 4-4-2 formation, there are some significant differences.

1. Firstly, under this formation Arsenal only really play with one genuine central defensive midfielder (Song). The other central ‘defensive’ midfielder is actually a central attacking midfielder, pushed deep in an effort to transition the ball more effectively from defence to attack. In addition to performing this role, the fake central defensive midfield position appears to be also required to push forward to assist the genuine central attacking midfielder in creating opportunities for the wingers and lone central striker.

2. Secondly, under this formation the front three attackers (i.e. the central striker, the left winger and right winger), when not on the ball, are spread out across the width of the pitch in what appears to be an effort to stretch the opponent’s defensive line prior to the wingers cutting into the box when on the attack.

3. Thirdly, under this formation the central strikers role is more focused on holding the ball up to allow the central attacking midfielder and the fake central defensive midfielder to move into better positions in order to receive a pass from the central striker and quickly find the attacking off the ball runs of the wingers.

Whilst the aforementioned modifications appear to be the way in which Arsenal have developed their adapted 4-2-1-3 formation, in my view, the success of this formation is actually based on:

· two powerful centre halves;

· two tough as nails but attacking full backs who regularly get to the by-line and cut balls back into the box;

· two tall and powerful central defensive midfielders whose primary focus is on breaking down oppositions attacks through physically imposing themselves on the opposition and quickly moving the ball to the central attacking midfielder;

· one crafty and highly technical central attacking midfielder with the ability to: find open space between the opposition’s midfield and defensive lines; execute through balls to either of the three strikers or the advancing full backs; and push into the box when appropriate to provide an additional striking option; and

· three clinical and pacey marksman who are all relatively central in the 18 yard box but who relentlessly make off the ball attacking runs in the box in order to provide the central attacking midfielder with passing options.

Once again taking the physical and technical characteristics of the current Arsenal squad into consideration here is how I believe the players would slot into my take on a 4-2-1-3 formation:

GK:
Szczesny, Fabianski, Mannone, Almunia, Shea, Martinez, McDermott

RB:
Sanga, Jenkinson, Coquelin, Hoyte, Eastmond, Yennaris

RCB:
Mertesaker, Koscielny, Squillaci, Bartley, Boateng, Angha, Hajrovic, Monteiro

LCB:
Vermaelen, Miquel

LB:
Gibbs, Santos, Botelho

RCDM:
Song, Frimpong

LCDM:
-

CAM:
Arteta(R), Rosicky (R), Diaby(R), Wilshere(L), Benayoun(R), Ramsey(R), Denilson(R), Lansbury(R), Aneke(R), Ozyakup(R), Henderson(L), Galindo(L)

RS:
Arshavin, Gervinho, Walcott, Chamberlain, Freeman,

CS:
Bendtner (R), Chamakh(R), Park (R), Afobe (R), Vela (L), Murphy,(R) Ansah (R)

LS:
Van Persie, Miyaichi, Watt, Wellington

Whilst under this formation Arsenal appear to be overstocked in terms of central attacking midfielders, Arsenal’s current squad is again lacking significant depth in terms of:

· powerful centre halves ( particularly on the left side of central defence);

· tough as nails but attacking full backs who regularly get to the by-line to cut balls back into the box;

· tall and powerful central defensive midfielders (particular left footed central defensive midfielders) whose primary focus is on breaking down oppositions attacks through physically imposing themselves on the opposition and quickly moving the ball to the central attacking midfielder; and

· clinical and pacey central and left sided strikers (particular left footed strikers).

Similar to my analysis of Arsenal’s current squad under the 4-4-2 formation, I think a lack of appropriate central defensive midfielders in the squad means a 4-2-1-3 formation doesn’t appear to play to Arsenal’s current strength (i.e. central attacking midfielders).

Overall, Arsenal is at an interesting juncture at the moment. The departure of key players in Cesc and Nasri presented Arsenal with an opportunity to revert to their previously successful 4-4-2 formation. However the lack of tall and powerful central defensive midfielder signings in the transfer window just past and the decision to sign the likes of Arteta and Benayoun, indicates that Arsenal are keen to retain the central attacking midfield role in their formation.

With that in mind and considering the above analysis, it’s my view that the current Arsenal squad is best suited to a 4-1-3-2 formation, primarily due to the squad’s stock of talented central attacking midfielder and lack of powerful central defensive midfielders.

Looking forward to Arsenal’s season starting again.

Mean Lean's Response

Thank you for the detailed article, a very enjoyable read. Also apologies for the delayed publishing.

The 4-4-2 formation is one that would be interesting with this group of players. As we all know, our current formation was almost designed to get the very best out of Cesc Fabregas, having said that I do not think that our current formation is now redundant now that Cesc has gone. The 4-2-3-1 can be a wonderful system if used correctly.

I do wonder how the 4-4-2 would look these days with this group of players. It would give Van Persie less isolation and perhaps free him more from his current position but I am not sure that the system would suit many of our current starters.

Arshavin, Gervinho and Walcott would lose much of their quality having to stick more to the wide areas as wingers instead of wide strikers.

I wonder about Theo as a center forward when teams would inevitably drop off deep inside their box. His wide striker role gives him much more freedom to appear in positions unmarked than he would do as an Arsenal number 9.

Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta would also lose some of the attacking licence that they have in our current system.

I don't expect to see much of a formation change anytime soon as Wenger is and has always been a continuity manager. His system in pre season is often the one worked on and used throughout a whole season until he reviews this system come the end of the season. Changes will happen in games if needed but I do not imagine that we are going to start many games with a new system.

The way I see our current formation is that when all the players are playing well and full of confidence then the starting system shouldn't really make much of a difference.

van Persie shouldn't be isolated, he should be continuously supported from Theo and Gervinho from wide areas making central runs, Song/Wilshere or whoever could cover the overlapping runs from Gibbs/Santos. van Persie should be dropping deep to collect the ball and slid through passes into the path of Wilshere/Arteta or wide forwards.

The system should change fluidly throughout a game but we are only likely to see that when the team regain belief and stop having important players on the treatment table for large periods.

I just hope that the team click into gear sooner rather than later.

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Comments (34)

• 12-Sep-2011 11:16 | | workingchris  - someone's missing!
  

  where's poor Mr Djourou?

• 12-Sep-2011 11:18 | | MeanLean
  

  Good point but shouldn't you be working Chris?

• 12-Sep-2011 11:21 | | jovan  - formation the best
  

  santos, coscelni,mertesacker, sagna, dm-tsong cm-arteta, am-park chu young, lw gervinho/arshavin, rw- walcot/chambarlain, st- persie
  
  park is exactly the player that we need in the midelfied, ke has pace, fenomenal passingabilities, good finishing, exactly that we miss, he can make room in the defences and more room for persie and the wings, i hope wenger see that, but am desparate, he has absolut no vision how to give this team winning possibilities, he has only one opinion, and forget when you do not have the material you must change something, park as am, behind persie is a great idea he has no vision to at last to try it.

• 12-Sep-2011 11:22 | | rc
  

  4132 for me any day with rvp and theo, to give us almost th14 and db10 pace and touch, 3 across midfield any one from arteta,jw gervino AOC aa23 benny boy ramsey diaby, the one in the midfield simples, song or frimpong, back 4 picks itself.....
  i would play the 4231 against the top 4 so we flood midfield and use song AND frimpong as the wall to the defence, and the 3 attacking midfielders as above but no AA23 as he does not defend( which is cool)

• 12-Sep-2011 11:26 | | jovan  - wilshare
  

  sorry,wilshare is not ready to be in the first team of arsenal, last year he had
  33 apearences and only 1 goal and tree assists, nasri is playing in manchestewr city am and had in 2 games already 4 assits, with fabregas and nasri in the middle we were good as barca, but he played wilshare instead, we need another trainer

• 12-Sep-2011 11:29 | | MeanLean
  

  With all due respect. That is complete and utter tosh from the first word to the last but hey, that's just my opinion

• 12-Sep-2011 11:50 | | jovan
  

  look parksvideos and you will see he has fenomenal passing and pace abilities for the middle, he had to change the tactic a bit, with am behind percie but you must try things and not playing every time the the same tactic, 4-3-3 is good tactic, but with nasri and fabregas and nasri in the middle, now we do not have the material, but we have other options, and wenger must see them and use them, please guys tell me, wenger need big pressure to understand that, and if this does not work and he is doing the same and same again, he must go, guardiola will be availible next year,i hope he comes, he showed already interest.

• 12-Sep-2011 11:52 | | what about...  - 4-4-2 diamond
  

  Chesney
  
  Sagna - Merts - Verm - Santos
  
  Song
  Arteta - - Wilshere
  Gervinho/Arshavin
  
  RvP - Walcott/Park

• 12-Sep-2011 11:53 | | jovan  - ...
  

  ok everbody tells wilshare is great, what are his rezults and statistics why is he great please tell me maybe I am wrong.

• 12-Sep-2011 11:59 | | jovan
  

  he paid for chamberlain 12 milions + 3 adds, and he is sitting on the bench, there is no other trainer, who would pay that money who was not sutarday even on the bench. he must think for the presence and not for the future. chambarlain is very good player he is not ready, or he shuld give him
  chances to show that he is wrong

• 12-Sep-2011 12:06 | | jovan
  

  arsenal vision please tell me why, tell me why am i wrong, with all your respekt,

• 12-Sep-2011 12:11 | | jovan
  

  hey ladds i see you do not like it what i said about wilshare, but tell me why, with arguments please, i do not mean first team, first eleven

• 12-Sep-2011 12:13 | | MeanLean
  

  I don't really need to say a word, his performances do that on their own. For an 18-19 year old to perform at the level he had for his first season showed everyone what he is and what he will become in time.
  
  He was possibly our best player on the night against the best midfield combination in the world against Barcelona. He has now established himself as an England international.
  
  His goals and assists will come, just as they had to with Cesc. You are possibly the only Arsenal fan I know, that has doubted the quality of Jack Wilshere.

• 12-Sep-2011 12:36 | | jovan
  

  i mean wilshare is not ready for first eleve, tell me i am wrong why, to be wrong for arsenals good i have no problem. i would be delightied.
  33 games 1 goal 3 assists, why he deserve first eleven, give me arguments and not only dislike.

• 12-Sep-2011 12:42 | | MeanLean
  

  You have to remember that he was playing as a second defensive midfielder and it was his first full season for us. You cannot expect the goal and assist rate of an attacking player. Having said, I expect those number to increase

• 12-Sep-2011 12:52 | | slugboy  - Need for a goal hanger
  

  I think we must move to the 442. RVP on his cannot score enough goals. we have good supply of crosses from the wingers that we have, but no one on the end of them. I think defensively we have plugged the gaps. In midfield, when everyone is fit or unsuspended we have a strong team. All we are missing is a striker alongside RVP's guile. My formation would be:
  
  Scezney
  
  Sagna, Vermaelen, Kos mertesecker and Djourou, Gibbs/Santos
  
  Gervinho/Walcott Song/Frimpong/Coquelin Wilshire/Arteta/Diaby/Ramsey Arshavin/Ryo/Benayoun
  
  RVP Park/Chamakh
  
  When everyone is fit it would be:
  
  
  Scezney
  
  Sagna, Vermaelen, Mertesecker, Santos
  
  Gervinho Song Wilshire Arshavin
  
  RVP Park

• 12-Sep-2011 12:55 | | jovan
  

  i know is hard to find arguments he deserves first eleven, i hope you tried looking and finding some, guardiola once said he has players like wilshare
  in the b team, and that he would like givuing them chances, but with barcelona he must be number one. he has not the credit to have no trophy for 6 years,....................

• 12-Sep-2011 13:10 | | Emekus [Okachioma]  - Jack doubters
  

  For all jack doubters in case u dont know d reason behind his low stats, he is only 19,forced to play in a deep defencive midfield role. For your sake check makelele and mikels goals and assists stats. We at arsenal may b wrong, but is that so for the FA [best young player of d season] and was also capello? You know some fans were not destined to be a fan.

• 12-Sep-2011 13:14 | | jovan
  

  i know everbody say he is young,wilshare he will be worldclass, i have no doubt, but if arsenal wants trophies he need woldclass now, if knowing this he will be and is is stil not worldklass, than do not complain and ask for trophy. to be champion you need worldclass, please ladds tell me, how we can expect trophies. ok, he playedd dm, but when i was loking arsenal he went more forward than fabregas, and fabregads had to go back to fill that hole,do you not think that he shows lack of positoning.

• 12-Sep-2011 13:20 | | Akomfrah  - JW - TOP BOY!!!!!!!!
  

  Jovan its unbelievable that you could doubt the quality of Jack Wilshere. Although his stats may not be exemplary I fear that you are comparing Jack to established Premier League players. You must not forget that 10/11 was his first full season, a season in which we were all astounded by his assured performances, his vision, his passing range, his control, his ability to drift past a player by dropping his shoulder or by using his body intelligently, his tenacity in the tackle, his desire, his commitment and his overall talent. We Wilshere immensely at the moment. His desire to drive forward both with and without the ball, but particularly with the ball makes us a much more threatening team and when Jack returns you will see the value that he brings to the team. You must also remember that Cesc did not turn into the midfield colossus he was overnight. We watched him develop from a 17 year old and there were those that were calling for him to be more productive in his first few seasons. Let jack develop, give him time but the only way that he is going to realise his potential is by playing as many games as possible for Arsenal. It would be unfair of me to say that he has shown us glimpses of brilliance, because he showed us a full season of excellence (for one so young). It is also surprising that you are shouting for Wenger to give Chamberlain his chance but you are unwilling to extend the same argument to Jack.
  
  Whilst goals and assist tallies are good indicators of attacking players contribution you must not forget that each player has a specific role to play in the team and sometimes their influence extends beyond just goals and assists. Jack for example is involved in both defensive, transitional periods and atttacking phases of play. To ask him to do all simultaneously is asking to much. I also think that if you looked at the amount of chances that Jack created he would appear to be a much more dangerous player.

• 12-Sep-2011 13:20 | | jovan
  

  i have only another opinion, i am desparate for arsenal, i was days and nights, looking for good news on the market,please this is only something to think about, i am not a perfect man, but do not tell me i am not afan. i am a fan but as a fan i want trophies and that is okay i think.

• 12-Sep-2011 13:29 | | jovan
  

  i am happy to see you guys that you care, and that is good maybe he will show me that iam wrong i will be happy seeing that, and i hope he will play am more offensive role. bu t tell me please park as am what do you think about, we need something different and not everytime the same.please.

• 12-Sep-2011 13:34 | | jovan
  

  please give your opinion, it is only good.

• 12-Sep-2011 13:36 | | Emekus [Okachioma]  - Jack doubters
  

  This formation thing is harder than some of us taught. Choosing formation is not d problem but choosing a formation that will a will suit the available players to also include inform one's. Going with a 4-4-2 formation with song already a starter with a creative mid f and two wingers will put some good guys on d bench.
  
  I will choose a 4-1-4-1 with
  
  szczeny
  sagna-kos-mert-santos/gibb
  song
  walcot-arteta-rosicky-gerv
  van p
  
  As i believe van persie playing a lone striker is not a problem only if required chances are coming.This lone striking role give him more than 18 in d 2nd half of last season. His problem is d departure familiar legs and suspension of some helpful personels.Constant injury 2 key players will never give room to a particular form as there wil always be changes. U will all c an improvement 2moro with d return of some regular.
  
  Am keeping my fingers crossed 2 c what d prof himself will offer.Till then keep d faith.

• 12-Sep-2011 13:38 | | Emekus [Okachioma]  - Formation headache
  

  This formation thing is harder than some of us taught. Choosing formation is not d problem but choosing a formation that will a will suit the available players to also include inform one's. Going with a 4-4-2 formation with song already a starter with a creative mid f and two wingers will put some good guys on d bench.
  
  I will choose a 4-1-4-1 with
  
  szczeny
  sagna-kos-mert-santos/gibb
  song
  walcot-arteta-rosicky-gerv
  van p
  
  As i believe van persie playing a lone striker is not a problem only if required chances are coming.This lone striking role give him more than 18 in d 2nd half of last season. His problem is d departure familiar legs and suspension of some helpful personels.Constant injury 2 key players will never give room to a particular form as there wil always be changes. U will all c an improvement 2moro with d return of some regular.
  
  Am keeping my fingers crossed 2 c what d prof himself will offer.Till then keep d faith.

• 12-Sep-2011 13:38 | | jovan
  

  arsenal mania i see you know something about football, please tell me how should arsenal play, do you not think that we must do something different.

• 12-Sep-2011 13:39 | | jovan
  

  arsenal vision please sorry

• 12-Sep-2011 13:44 | | jovan
  

  i think the biggist problem is not the quality, it is confidence, selfbelieve, this is lacking, and that is bigger problem that quality

• 12-Sep-2011 14:13 | | HP  - Questions about your replacements of players
  

  First of all. Nice article. I liked it.
  But I can't believe that when you mentioned the 4-4-2 formation you wanted Wilshere to play LM and Arteta RM :O
  I clearly see Arteta and Wilshere playing as central (attacking) midfielders.
  
  In the 4-1-3-2 formation you wanted Arshavin to play central attacking midfielder and then again you wanted to put Arteta and Wilshere out on the wings?!
  Why would you want to put Arshavin as central attacking midfield when he always plays left wing/midfield and put two central mifielders out on the wings?!
  
  In the same formation you want V. Persie as LS and Walcott as RS, but I think it would be better to put V.Persie as RS and Walcott as LS. That way they can track into the middle of the park and shoot with their best foot.
  When Walcott comes from the right side and he's right footed he has very little options on where to shoot. He has to shoot at the far left side of the goal, but it's very rare that he can score because he can't bent the ball into the far left side when he shoots with his right foot and comes from the right side.
  But if he came from the left side he would have the more options. He could bent it into the far right side or he could just smahs it into the left side (I hope I'm making sense to you all )
  
  The point is that Theo may have difficulties with scoring because he plays right wing and he is right footed although he has scored a lot of goals from that position
  
  My team
  szczeny
  Sagna - Kos - Mert - Santos/Gibbs
  Song/Frimpong
  Arteta/Ramsey/(Wilshere, when fit)
  Gervinho/Rio - Walcott/Arshavin
  Park/Chamakh - V. Persie
  
  And if Gervinho and Walcott's roles are to make crosse for the strikers I would make them switch places so they can use their good foot.

• 12-Sep-2011 21:09 | | waterboy
  

  My bad. I would add Mr Djourou to the list of RCBs under each formation.

• 12-Sep-2011 21:53 | | waterboy
  

  I like your idea about a diamond midfield particularly with Arsharvin and the head of that diamond but as with our fake cental defensive midfielder role in our current 4213 i have concerns about whether Arsenal's central attacking midfielders (Arteta, Wilshere etc) have the natural defensive inclination or physical attributes to play in the box to box midfield roles under a diamond midfield formation.

• 13-Sep-2011 07:10 | | waterboy
  

  Ideally i too would love to see Arsenal revert back to their previously successful 442 formation and i agree that that formation would enable VP to play in the creative striker (Bergkamp) role he appears best suited too. Interestingly i think the Bergkamp role best suits Arsharvin also, who appears to really struggle with being isolated on the left wing in Arsenal's current formation. However i dont think Arsenal have a sufficient number of physically dominating and naturally defensive central midfielders (like Vieira) to play alongside Song and provide the defensive stability that previously successful Arsenal teams demonstrated was necessary when playing in a 442 formation. Similiarly i think Arsenal's squad lacks sufficient quality and depth in terms of left footed wide midfielder with a natural tendency to make off the ball attacking runs into the box, which Pires and overmars before him proved is invaluable when attacking under a 442 formation. Without reverting back to Arsenal's previously successful 442 template, which would require some drastic changes to the make up of Arsenal's current collection of midfielders (particularly central attacking midfielders) , i think Arsenal's current squad would struggle defensively under a 442 particular when you consider the league Arsenal plays in.

• 13-Sep-2011 08:09 | | waterboy
  

  I can see the logic in your argument about switching the strikers under a 442 or 4132 formation so that the left footed striker is on the right side and the right footed striker is on the left.
  
  Under the 4132 formation which i have proposed there are infact no wingers. All three of the attacking midfielders play centrally but one plays slightly to the right of centre whilst another plays slighly to the left of centre and one plays in between them. The full backs then provide the width when on the attack. In terms of the use of Arshavin as the Central Attacking midfielder, i have noticed that Arsharvin has struggled quite badly when isolated on the left wing under our current formation. That said his ability to provide the final ball and direct and hard shooting appears to be his strengths and as such i think he would be better suited centrally, either in the central attacking midfield role or the right footed striker role.
  
  Finally regarding the use of Wilshere and Arteta as wide midfielders under a 442, i couldnt really see where else they would fit as the formation plays with two strikers, which the players are not, and neither player is tall, powerful or has the naturally defensive inclinations (akin to the likes of Petit or Vieira) required to play in the two central defensive midfield roles under the 442 formation.

• 13-Sep-2011 18:09 | | HP  - reply
  

  I like your 4132 formation and maybe you're right. Maybe Arshavin would fit better in the central role. But if the LACM isn't isolated on the left wing maybe he would have no problems playing there. And since Wilshere is used and good to play central I would put him in the central role. That's just my opinion
  
  On the 442 formation. Who says that both central midfielders have to be tall and powerfull? I would like to see if it would work with song and wilshere/arteta in the middle of a 442 formation.
  
  As I have understood it the wing players have to be fast and good at crosse and I don't think that's Wilshere or Arteta's speciality. Theo, Rio, Arshaving and Chamberlain on the other hand are very fast and though Theo (and maybe the others too) may have to train his crosses I think they are much more suitable to play as winger

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