THREAD: HOW I FEEL WE SHOULD SET UP AGAINST CHELSEA AND AREAS TO EXPLOIT. I was asked to do a thread regarding how I think we should set up against Chelsea, the system they may deploy and the areas we must target. RT's so more Gooners can see the thread would mean a lot, Enjoy!

When we played Conte's Chelsea in the 2017 Cup final, we matched them up in terms of their 3-4-3 formation. Again, we should continue to do so for this final as this system suits the personal of the players we currently have. 4-2-3-1 pre COVID-19, with Ozil in the 10, was

favoured. But with his absence, we lack a player who can drift in between the lines and provide a connection, which makes this system ineffective. 4-3-3 is the favoured long term solution but we lack key attributes within our midfield for us to transition to this right now. We

don't have the CB's who can play in a back 4 successfully, meaning a 3 atb is the short term answer, which provides us with extra solidity. Assuming Chelsea play Giroud ahead of Abraham, 3-4-3 will help nullify supply lines out wide, which in turn will minimise the impact..

Giroud can have in the final third. Arteta will know this and an example where he displayed tactical excellence was recognising Sheffield United's serious threat out wide with their overlapping wide CB's. Nearly 80% of Sheffield United's attacks stem through the wide areas. We..

nullified this with a back five out of possession, and was key to limiting clear cut chances from occurring. We need to do the same against Chelsea. Against City, the goal was to prevent Sterling or Mahrez from cutting inside, forcing them to go wide. Although we tried to stop..

crosses, we knew that if they managed to squeeze them through, Luiz and Mustafi would deal with the aerial duels against Jesus. But in this game we cant let players like Willian and Pulisic to get crosses into the box. Giroud's hold up play is key for Chelsea in how he enables a

link to be established between midfield and attack. Luiz and Mustafi/Holding must be aggressive when Chelsea go long. I'd task Xhaka to create sandwich scenarios by positioning himself in front of Giroud, with a CB behind. This may help minimise him from holding the ball up.

Pulisic and Willian are serious threats but I do believe that we can contain them with this system. Additionally, we cant afford to let Jorginho have time and space of the ball. A player who is influential in possession, in recycling the ball, and providing ball retention. We saw

this at the Emirates when Frank brung him on before half time. His introduction provided Chelsea more control in midfield. Now lets look at where we can hurt them. This is a game that will suit us as we know Chelsea wont play low block football. There will be spaces to exploit.

Whether it's a 3 or 4 atb, Chelsea are weak in the full back areas, particularly at LB. Pepe will be vital. Bellerin will be key in enabling Pepe to create 1v1 situations against Alonso. He will also be essential in providing a partnership offensively with Nico to prevent

him from becoming isolated. If they play a back 4, I can see Azpilicueta or Emerson being preferred. But either way, its an area we must target. There is a reason why Chelsea are in the market for a LB. Auba and AMN, who i would prefer at LWB, will also be crucial in creating

overloads on the left and attacking that area. Ball progression and quick passing is fundamental in exploiting Jorginho's deficiencies. As stated previously, he's very good in possession.But he's poor defensively and simply will not cope with quick intricate football in midfield,

which we hopefully can install in this game. Ceballos will be key in the way he takes players out of the game with his shoulder drops and turns, as well as being vital in providing forward progressive passes to our front three, giving them more space on the ball. Chelsea are

extremely suspect in dealing with set pieces, particularly corners. We saw this at the Emirates with Auba's goal. They've conceded 13 set piece goals this season. Pepe is by far the best set piece taker at the club. He needs to be on the right hand side of corners. I would just

tell him to put it in that danger zone and apply pressure to Kepa, who is woeful in commanding his area. We have to test him whenever an opportunities arises as well. His save percentage is as low as 54%, which means he concedes almost a goal from every two shots faced! Even if..

Caballero is chosen ahead, he's not any better really. There is clear uncertainty around the performances of their CB's this season. They have been a fundamental reason as to why they have conceded more goals than us (54) this season.All of them have their flaws. Runs Auba, in

particular, will make in behind, similarly to the City game, will cause them plenty of problems.When our players receive the ball in pockets of space within the attacking third, they must look up to pick out his runs as he will make them. Just like Tierney did for the second goal

against City. We have to be wary of the threat Willian, Pulisic, CHO and Giroud provide as well as not allowing Jorginho the opportunity to dictate the game. If you initiate a press against him, he will make mistakes and lose possession. The uncertainty is whether they play a

back 3 or 4. But their defensive deficiencies are apparent regardless of the system and formation. Frank might favour a back 4 as the initial 3-4-3 installed at the Emirates did not work for them. But if they do choose this system, there will be more space for us to exploit out

wide. My team (3-4-3) Martinez, Mustafi, Luiz, Tiereny, Bellerin, Ceballos, Xhaka, AMN, Pepe, Laca, Auba. Same team as the semi final and I believe experience is key. Holding comes in if Musti isn't available for selection. Partnerships/combinations between Pepe and Hector

on the right can exploit the defensive deficiencies of Alonso. AMN and Auba combining on the left can create the same problems. Ball retention, and progressive passing through the middle will be key in creating spaces which our attackers can exploit.

Good set piece deliveries is another avenue for chance creation but We MUST be ruthless when opportunities arise. This was lacking for us in the game at the Emirates. Defensively, minimise supply lines out wide to prevent Giroud from having a significant

impact on the game. Look at the game at Baku last year. No pressure to prevent the cross from happening and Giroud took the chance well. We cant let this happen. Our CB's must watch his clever, near post runs and be ready for the physical battle. Pulisic is a real

danger, and Pepe must provide consistent support for Hector on all occasions out of possession. Laca's hold up play and providing a connection between midfield and attack will need to be on point as well. If we provide a similar performance to the City game, i'm confident. COYG