Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta surprised everyone in his press conference today by claiming that he could change his formation at some point in the remainder of the season.
The Gunners have mostly played a 4-2-3-1 formation, while we’ve also seen 4-3-3 at times. Those have been Arteta’s preferred systems since his arrival and nobody really expected that to change, especially after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s Arsenal exit.
However, the Arsenal boss hinted today that a two-striker formation is an option for him this season. That means we may see a game where both of our out-and-out centre-forwards could start together.
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Arteta: Arsenal could use a two-striker formation this season
Following Aubameyang’s exit and Arsenal’s lack of options up front, Arteta was asked if he could change his system in a way that would see us start with a false-nine.
The Spaniard said, as per Arsenal.com: “We can play with different kinds of nines, and we have the option and the variability to do it.
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“We can play with two nines as well because we have two (Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah).
“Let’s see, depending on the game, where we are, the stage of the game as well, we have variables.”
The Insider’s View:
Lacazette and Nketiah up top in a 4-4-2 is definitely an option but will Arteta really go with that from the start at some point this season? We don’t think so!
Arsenal’s best results this term have come in a 4-2-3-1. An attack of Gabriel Martinelli, Lacazette and Bukayo Saka will be our preferred option and the only change we can see is the inclusion of Emile Smith Rowe, either in place of Martinelli or in a 4-3-3 with Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey alongside him in midfield.
Nketiah, as good a goalscorer as he has the potential to be, is unlikely to start any game as long as Lacazette is fit. He will always be an option off the bench and the only way we can see a two-striker formation this term is when we’re chasing a game and the Englishman is brought on.
