Josh's view 'Why we need 4-3-3…'

This squad is crying out for a 4-3-3 similar to Barcelona.  Before I start let me make it clear that I do not mean 4-2-3-1 or 4-5-1.  I mean four at the back, 3 in midfield and 3 strikers.
This formation that Barca play involves a midfield that keeps the ball and dictates play until they can release the front three.  Wenger has always wanted Arsenal to pass the ball and play beautiful football and we have the players that are similar to Barcelona.
Like Xavi and Iniesta, Cesc and Nasri can keep the ball well.  They are both small but nimble players, who can hold players off and spot passes.  Song has developed into a competent holding player and can do a similar job to Yaya Touré.  Song’s passing and tackling has come on massively and shows he can do this job right in front of the back four.
Barca allow the front three strikers to roam free and cause havoc.  Guardiola allows Messi and Henry to stay forward and asks his midfield to work hard when they do not have the ball.  The pressure they put on the opposition when possession is lost was remarkable to watch this season.  Nasri works hard and has shown energy in the middle.  He will only get better after just one season in England.  The emphasis is then on keeping the ball and waiting for the gaps to open.  Cesc and Nasri can spot passes, maybe not as well as Xavi and Iniesta but at a sufficient level to play this system.
That then left the front three ran riot…
Arshavin can carry the ball in a similar way to Messi and is just as dangerous in the box.  He can create something out of nothing and should be given a free role to do this.  Walcott can provide pace down the other flank and the fear of his pace down the right side will be doubled if he is given the freedom to stay up field.  There will be a lot of space to run into if the left back goes forward and teams will be so wary of this.  Van Persie plays on the right for Holland and they look to use his left foot shot as he cuts inside.  Van Persie is sometimes criticised for taking too long on the ball but on the wing he might have more freedom in a similar way to Messi.
In Samuel Eto’o Barca had the man to finish off what was given to him.  Messi and Henry were brilliant but often the Barcelona build up play required one man to do the simple job of putting away chances.  I say it was a simple job but it was not; Eto’o just made it look so simple at times.  This reminded me so much of Eduardo.  It is rare that one can think of a striker that makes people expect him to score every chance.  Eduardo is one of these players that can do this.  The way Barca play involves very little aerial play and is all about the passing.  Chances are created and Eduardo would be the perfect player to finish off chances.
We can add another dimension to the play if we include Adebayor (if he stays) or Bendtner.  If the passing game meets a few stumbling blocks, introducing these two big guys can add another dimension, one of height, to the attack.  That said Eduardo is decent in the air.  As Torres shows, aerial battles are often about clever, sharp runs and a desire to get to the ball first rather than an issue of height.  Obviously in a direct aerial battle, tall defenders will have the beating of Eddy but our no.9 has a good sense of where to be and how to make the best runs.
The beauty of the system is all out players can slot into various positions.  Generally the back four will remain the same to get consistency but ahead of the defence, rotation will be crucial.  Next season will be a long one again but will have added dimensions to it.  With the World Cup next summer, fixtures will end earlier and therefore the fixture pile-up will be tougher.  Uefa’s decision to prevent domestic games on European nights will affect when fixtures can be arranged also.  This means Wenger will be bringing people in a lot more in fixture build ups.  This suits Arsenal though…
In midfield, a rejuvenated Rosicky can fill in for Nasri or Fabregas.  He has similar passing ability and work rate and can drive from midfield.  AS said above, Theo and RVP offer two options down the right and both can play on the left side of attack.  Carlos Vela is also adept to both flanks and is suited very much to a wing forward position after his time at Osasuna and with his dribbling skills.  Bendtner can also play left side, right side or down the middle which provides plenty of options.  Add to this Denilson, Ramsey, Eboue who are all decent squad players and this system looks like a good one for us.
Arsenal were at their best when we played quick passing football and dominated teams from the start.  Barcelona did that this season and reminded me of games when the match was over within 30 minutes.  This formation, in my eyes can take us back to the top.
With a few alterations to the squad seemingly about to happen, this formation should not be affected.  With Wenger addressing the back four this will not have any influence as it is still a four man defence.  If Adebayor is to go and Dzeko to come in, it is like for like.  If a new holding midfield player arrives, he can take up Song’s role and Song will rotate within the centre of defence and midfield.
Maybe a change in fortune can come from a new formation.  Guardiola went into Barcelona and improved the fitness and work rate of the players.  Our team already has this in many areas and I think fine tuning to different areas of the park and a re-think in tactics could make the 4-3-3 perfect for Arsenal.