With Mikel Arteta navigating a seemingly sinking Arsenal ship, many assumed that the Gunners’ Boxing Day voyage at home to Chelsea would see his side’s winless run extended to eight games – a number which would have equalled their Premier League record for matches without a win. A 3-1 Arsenal victory was not on the script therefore. Arteta’s use of a 4-2-3-1 formation (coupled with an all-round naïve performance from Chelsea) ultimately resulted in Arsenal emerging as triumphant, and this new system has offered a glimmer of hope to Arsenal fans who have been devoid of cheer for so long.
Late doubts surrounding the availability of trusted, senior players like Willian, Aubameyang and David Luiz, alongside the suspension of new centre-half Gabriel, forced Arteta to approach the game in a different manner. With limited options, Arteta deviated from the 3-4-3 he has favoured during his tenure so far. With an absence of trust in his centre-halves’ defensive capabilities, Arteta would opt for a 3-4-3 to promote defensive stability – something that, attributing losses of discipline down to individual errors, has worked for the most part. Going forward, Arsenal sought to create their chances by generating wide overloads and then shifting the ball into the box. However, attacking inspiration has been more or less absent, to the chagrin of Arsenal fans. Before yesterday’s game, Arsenal had scored just 12 in 14 matches – three of which came against Fulham on the opening day of the season.
Arsenal set up with a flat back four, with Holding and Pablo Marí as the centre-backs and Bellerín and Tierney as full-backs. Xhaka and Elneny were the two anchoring the midfield and Lacazette played as a central striker. Most notably, the three attacking midfielders for Arsenal, with an average age of 19.67, were Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith-Rowe (making just his second ever Premier League start for the Gunners), and fit-again Brazilian prodigy Gabriel Martinelli.
Despite Chelsea dominating possession, Arsenal seemed to be in control of the match and ultimately had seven shots on target compared to Chelsea’s three. The youthful exuberance of the attacking trio was simultaneously a breath of fresh air for the Arsenal fans and a treat for the eyes owing to their spirited performances.
Late doubts surrounding the availability of trusted, senior players like Willian, Aubameyang and David Luiz, alongside the suspension of new centre-half Gabriel, forced Arteta to approach the game in a different manner. With limited options, Arteta deviated from the 3-4-3 he has favoured during his tenure so far. With an absence of trust in his centre-halves’ defensive capabilities, Arteta would opt for a 3-4-3 to promote defensive stability – something that, attributing losses of discipline down to individual errors, has worked for the most part. Going forward, Arsenal sought to create their chances by generating wide overloads and then shifting the ball into the box. However, attacking inspiration has been more or less absent, to the chagrin of Arsenal fans. Before yesterday’s game, Arsenal had scored just 12 in 14 matches – three of which came against Fulham on the opening day of the season.
Arsenal set up with a flat back four, with Holding and Pablo Marí as the centre-backs and Bellerín and Tierney as full-backs. Xhaka and Elneny were the two anchoring the midfield and Lacazette played as a central striker. Most notably, the three attacking midfielders for Arsenal, with an average age of 19.67, were Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith-Rowe (making just his second ever Premier League start for the Gunners), and fit-again Brazilian prodigy Gabriel Martinelli.
Despite Chelsea dominating possession, Arsenal seemed to be in control of the match and ultimately had seven shots on target compared to Chelsea’s three. The youthful exuberance of the attacking trio was simultaneously a breath of fresh air for the Arsenal fans and a treat for the eyes owing to their spirited performances.
The 4-2-3-1 was beneficial for Arsenal in a number of ways. Initially, its simplicity is a help for defenders. It is far easier to understand your defensive role in a four than in a three/five. With this being Marí’s first Premier League start, he and Holding were immediately aware of appropriate positioning. Between the two of them, they negated the threat of Tammy Abraham relatively comfortably (for 85 minutes). In the three, it was characteristic of Arsenal’s outside centre-halves to step into midfield to close down opposition attackers. Yesterday, the defence kept flat, and allowed Xhaka and Elneny to screen them.
The four-back also enabled Kieran Tierney to finally play in his preferred position. The Scot has been fantastic since joining Arsenal, with his pace and defensive awareness particularly impressing. As full-back (instead of outside centre-half), Tierney could take up the advanced positions in which he thrives. Ultimately, it was a piercing Tierney run behind the Chelsea defence and a quick burst of pace into the box that won Arsenal the penalty which gave them the lead. Arsenal fans will be wishing that Arteta sticks with the back four in order to get the best out of Kieran Tierney, as his ability is there for all to see.
The tenacity of Arsenal’s wingers and the grittiness of Smith-Rowe at number 10 helped Arsenal at both ends of the pitch. Defensively, they had the energy to cover the ground and get behind the ball or press high when necessary. Martinelli made the most tackles of any player whilst he was on the pitch, and Saka covered more ground than anyone else. In attack, Arsenal looked a much more complete outfit, and these three men also (finally) led us to see the (near) best of what Lacazette can do.
Smith-Rowe is naturally a number 10. While he hasn’t yet developed the ability of Özil, he was incredibly comfortable in central, advanced areas of the pitch. He was happy to receive the ball on the half turn and drive forward – something that no one has done for Arsenal in this area of the pitch this season. In a 3-4-3, you sacrifice a number 10; yesterday, we saw the benefits of having a natural one. What he too provided was direct support for Lacazette, who looked more like the striker Arsenal signed than the one he has become. Lacazette is best with his back to goal, using that low centre of gravity to hold off defenders and bring others into the game. In a 3-4-3, with the focus of the play out wide, centre-forwards are frequently isolated.
The four-back also enabled Kieran Tierney to finally play in his preferred position. The Scot has been fantastic since joining Arsenal, with his pace and defensive awareness particularly impressing. As full-back (instead of outside centre-half), Tierney could take up the advanced positions in which he thrives. Ultimately, it was a piercing Tierney run behind the Chelsea defence and a quick burst of pace into the box that won Arsenal the penalty which gave them the lead. Arsenal fans will be wishing that Arteta sticks with the back four in order to get the best out of Kieran Tierney, as his ability is there for all to see.
The tenacity of Arsenal’s wingers and the grittiness of Smith-Rowe at number 10 helped Arsenal at both ends of the pitch. Defensively, they had the energy to cover the ground and get behind the ball or press high when necessary. Martinelli made the most tackles of any player whilst he was on the pitch, and Saka covered more ground than anyone else. In attack, Arsenal looked a much more complete outfit, and these three men also (finally) led us to see the (near) best of what Lacazette can do.
Smith-Rowe is naturally a number 10. While he hasn’t yet developed the ability of Özil, he was incredibly comfortable in central, advanced areas of the pitch. He was happy to receive the ball on the half turn and drive forward – something that no one has done for Arsenal in this area of the pitch this season. In a 3-4-3, you sacrifice a number 10; yesterday, we saw the benefits of having a natural one. What he too provided was direct support for Lacazette, who looked more like the striker Arsenal signed than the one he has become. Lacazette is best with his back to goal, using that low centre of gravity to hold off defenders and bring others into the game. In a 3-4-3, with the focus of the play out wide, centre-forwards are frequently isolated.
On the wings, Saka and Martinelli were free, malleable and technically exceptional. With Saka adding the right of midfield to the long list of positions he can play in and excel, his inward advancing runs offered Lacazette an outside, progressive passing option in transition. Martinelli is arguably the quicker and more skilful of the two, and fulfilled largely the same attacking role as Saka did. Arsenal have hugely struggled in transition this season as counter-attacks have either been slow or non-existent. Yesterday saw a shift from Arsenal’s fruitless 45-60 second possessions to 15 second possessions which saw them advance significantly or create a chance.
Arsenal’s third goal was a personification of and reward for the trusting their skilled youngsters. Smith-Rowe drifted out wide to the right-hand side and received a pass from Bellerín. He shifted it inside to the onrushing Saka, who saw his cross/shot from the side of the box loop over Mendy and into the net (with Martinelli storming to attack the back post). Lucky, yes, but you make your own luck, and Arsenal deserved theirs.
The worry now for Arsenal fans is whether Arteta will stick with this system. He was forced into playing this way due to late absences, and has found the 4-2-3-1 to be a happy accident. I would argue that these players should be rewarded for their performance with a start against Brighton in two days’ time. The reality is that Arteta’s long-term vision for the club may be incompatible with some of the players and tactical trends that we saw on Boxing Day. However, it cannot be disputed that Arsenal’s youth are far more hungry and far prouder to wear an Arsenal shirt than many of the traditional core. The hope is that Arteta will realise the potency of this system and the players within it. This young group play with chemistry, and when a unit enjoys playing together, its output is greater than the sum of its component parts. If this 11 could comfortably dispose of Chelsea, Arteta should recognise this, make zero changes for the next few games, and see if this new system bears fruit for a starving Arsenal fanbase.
Written by - Ben Rowe
Edited by - 3-At-The-Back
Arsenal’s third goal was a personification of and reward for the trusting their skilled youngsters. Smith-Rowe drifted out wide to the right-hand side and received a pass from Bellerín. He shifted it inside to the onrushing Saka, who saw his cross/shot from the side of the box loop over Mendy and into the net (with Martinelli storming to attack the back post). Lucky, yes, but you make your own luck, and Arsenal deserved theirs.
The worry now for Arsenal fans is whether Arteta will stick with this system. He was forced into playing this way due to late absences, and has found the 4-2-3-1 to be a happy accident. I would argue that these players should be rewarded for their performance with a start against Brighton in two days’ time. The reality is that Arteta’s long-term vision for the club may be incompatible with some of the players and tactical trends that we saw on Boxing Day. However, it cannot be disputed that Arsenal’s youth are far more hungry and far prouder to wear an Arsenal shirt than many of the traditional core. The hope is that Arteta will realise the potency of this system and the players within it. This young group play with chemistry, and when a unit enjoys playing together, its output is greater than the sum of its component parts. If this 11 could comfortably dispose of Chelsea, Arteta should recognise this, make zero changes for the next few games, and see if this new system bears fruit for a starving Arsenal fanbase.
Written by - Ben Rowe
Edited by - 3-At-The-Back