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MEGA THREAD: Aubameyang cannot play as a central striker for Arsenal without a n.10.
I enjoyed @amylawrence71's use of the term "bastard press" to describe the work Arteta expects from his n.9 on the @arseblog Arsecast. Apt. Auba isn't really the right fit for that. (1/n)
I enjoyed @amylawrence71's use of the term "bastard press" to describe the work Arteta expects from his n.9 on the @arseblog Arsecast. Apt. Auba isn't really the right fit for that. (1/n)
Remember him leading the line in one NLD under Arsène Wenger at Wembley and looking completely incapable in terms of pressing. In any case, he is 31 and, if anything, needs to be doing fewer breakneck sprints to preserve his physical condition. (2/n)
In order to get the best of him for the duration of his next contract, his brief must be centered on efficiency of movement.
But those are just the concerns without the ball.
In possession, it appears from what we've seen so far that Arteta wants a CF who can link... (3/n)
But those are just the concerns without the ball.
In possession, it appears from what we've seen so far that Arteta wants a CF who can link... (3/n)
...the play rather than one who (predominantly) runs in behind.
There have been, broadly speaking, three systems under the Spaniard. He started with 4-2-3-1 and persisted with it until the break.
This system morphed into a 2-3-5/3-2-5... (4/n)
There have been, broadly speaking, three systems under the Spaniard. He started with 4-2-3-1 and persisted with it until the break.
This system morphed into a 2-3-5/3-2-5... (4/n)
...(depending on how many strikers the opponent was fielding) in possession with – from right to left – Nelson/Pepe, Özil, Lacazette, Aubameyang and Saka/Kolasinac taking up all five corridors in attack. Upon resumption, he rolled out a 4-3-3 for losses vs City & Brighton. (5/n)
Why this change?
My theory: Özil was no longer available, so there was no n.10 to use in that role (and please don't say Willock, he's not a n.10).
The Manchester City game was a bust the moment both Xhaka and Mari went off, so it doesn't count. (6/n)
My theory: Özil was no longer available, so there was no n.10 to use in that role (and please don't say Willock, he's not a n.10).
The Manchester City game was a bust the moment both Xhaka and Mari went off, so it doesn't count. (6/n)
However, against Brighton, we saw a 4-3-3 with both 8s pushed high up, almost like Manchester City do. In possession, Kolasinac sat alongside the CBs and Bellerin was tucked in as a midfielder: forming a 3-2-5 with – from right to... (7/n)
...left – Pepe, Ceballos, Lacazette, Saka, Aubameyang occupying those corridors.
It was interesting, but there were obvious problems immediately. For one, Aubameyang often had to come very deep to pick up the ball and carry it down the line. (8/n)
It was interesting, but there were obvious problems immediately. For one, Aubameyang often had to come very deep to pick up the ball and carry it down the line. (8/n)
For another, Ceballos struggled to find space to receive the ball within the lines like Özil does, and he didn't make runs inside the Brighton LB (Burn) who Pepe was pulling wide to the touchline.
After that game, Arteta switched to a 3-4-3. (9/n)
After that game, Arteta switched to a 3-4-3. (9/n)
This way, he could still get his 3-2-5 structure in possession, but this time with Aubameyang playing more inside and an actual forward (Pepe or Saka) instead of Ceballos in the inside right channel.
In every scenario, he has resisted playing Aubameyang as a CF. (10/n)
In every scenario, he has resisted playing Aubameyang as a CF. (10/n)
However, the reasons are slightly different in each case.
In the 4-2-3-1, he couldn't play Auba as the 9 because, apart from the fact he couldn't carry out the same pressing responsibilities, Arteta needed to maximize the team's scoring potential. He's said so himself. (11/n)
In the 4-2-3-1, he couldn't play Auba as the 9 because, apart from the fact he couldn't carry out the same pressing responsibilities, Arteta needed to maximize the team's scoring potential. He's said so himself. (11/n)
In the 4-3-3, the issue is Auba cannot link play centrally.
Think about it: how many 4-3-3s can you name where the central striker is (mostly) concerned with running in behind? Not many, I bet. Without an actual n.10 between the lines, you need the CF to be able to... (12/n)
Think about it: how many 4-3-3s can you name where the central striker is (mostly) concerned with running in behind? Not many, I bet. Without an actual n.10 between the lines, you need the CF to be able to... (12/n)
...come off the front line and receive the ball. The only way around this is what Guardiola did at Manchester City where he had, in Aguero, a player close to a "pure" n.9: play two "free 8s" between the lines to act as the link, and allow the CF focus on making... (13/n)
...short explosive movements inside the box and in behind. With both David Silva and De Bruyne between the lines to receive, it mitigates the need for the n.9 to drop.
Incidentally, it is the same issue in a 3-4-3: no n.10 in that system either. (14/n)
Incidentally, it is the same issue in a 3-4-3: no n.10 in that system either. (14/n)
He didn't score, and fans have decided they hate him now, but see the role Lacazette played against Leicester on Tuesday for reference. Auba cannot play it, and that is the only surefire way to consistently connect midfield to attack through the centre in 3-4-3/4-3-3. (15/n)
Nketiah, who has been in favour under Arteta, doesn't "drop" that well either, but he is (a) quicker than Lacazette and (b) younger and more energetic than both Laca & Auba, so he can at least press. That's why he's been getting starts. (16/n)
So, unless Arteta intends to sign a n.10, Arsenal are unlikely to use a 4-2-3-1 consistently and, by extension, Aubameyang is very unlikely to play as a n.9 consistently, even though he's the best goalscorer at the club.
End of thread. (17/n)
End of thread. (17/n)
