After a solid end to last season, which saw the Gunners lift the FA Cup ahead of London rivals Chelsea, expectation is upon Arsenal to start their new campaign off in a similar fashion- though there had been questions as to what sort of set-up Arsene Wenger would adopt.
Arsenal’s success at the back-end of last season came following a switch to a three-man defence, which brought the best out of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka, amongst others, but the Gunners played the majority of the season with a traditional back four.
Many anticipated Arsenal would revert to that more familiar set-up next season but Wenger has confirmed the Gunners will continue to play with a back-three for the start of the new campaign, although utilising a more traditional set-up remains as a tactical option for the French boss.
Speaking in Sydney ahead of the club’s pre-season tour, which begins tomorrow morning, Wenger said:
“We’ll test many systems. At the moment, in preseason, we are in the continuity of the end of last season. In some games we will play with four at the back and some with three, but at the start of the season we will certainly play with three.”
Utilising a three-man defence could see the Gunners get the best out of new signing Sead Kolasinac, who’s poised to make his debut alongside club-record addition Alexandre Lacazette tomorrow, whilst Oxlade-Chamberlain and Hector Bellerin will fight it out for a role on the right.
Arsenal have numerous options in the middle with Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker and Shkodran Mustafi providing a wealth of experience, whilst Nacho Monreal, Gabriel Paulista and Rob Holding will also fight for a spot in the back-line.
The Gunners set-up should allow them to get the most out of their attacking full-backs, whilst still remaining solid in defence, and it’s likely Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka will slot into the midfield to continue the partnership they created last season.
In attack, Lacazette will lead the line and will be supported by superstar duo Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez- providing that the Gunners retain the services of the Chilean ace, who’s widely linked with an exit after entering the final 12 months of his current contract at the Emirates Stadium.