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THREAD ON OUR FULL BACKS. I thought I would do a thread on how I think we will eventually utilise our full backs under Mikel Arteta, with in depth thoughts. RT's would be appreciated 
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If we go back to pre COVID-19 and looking at games where we had no recognised LB. Saka was tasked to fulfil this role. Whilst he was a LB 'on paper', we implemented a system that allowed him to flourish by giving him minimal defensive responsibilities. We attacked in a 3-2-5..
with Xhaka filling in at LB which gave Saka licence to attack freely on the left. Our RB at the time, whether it was AMN or Bellerin, were tasked to invert. This enabled our pivot in midfield to be maintained and ensured we would have enough cover through the centre..
if we lost possession further up the pitch. The inverted full back helps counter easy transitions or overloads teams could create. Under Emery, teams were easily transitioning through us. The lack of structure and balance within our side meant there was no protection to our CB's.
and were continuously exposed. This was the reason why Leno was continuously facing high volume of shots consistently. Post COVID-19, we have predominantly been playing a 3-4-3 system. There isn't the need for inverted full backs in this formation as the main supply lines come..
through the wing backs stretching play and occupying players. They either put crosses into the box or take advanced positions that allow the wide attackers time and space on the ball to create problems.
But eventually, its very likely we will play a 4-3-3 system, with two attacking midfielders drifting in between the lines. We were left sided dominant when Saka was 'LB' on paper, as this allowed our young start to be influential rather than a detriment. But with two recognised
Full backs, I think we will switch up the way we attack.On occasions it will be through the left and at times it will be through the right, which would make us a lot more unpredictable. So in this case, both full backs must be capable of playing as 'conventional' and...
'inverted'. If we overload on the left, the right back will invert and the left back will be tasked to create width and play as a conventional one. And vice versa. It wont be like Liverpool, who attack with both full backs and have the two wide CM's filling in the space they..
vacate. If we have two attacking midfielders and then overload with both full backs, this will cause us problems if we lose possession further up. Teams would easily transition through us and create chances.
Tierney is capable of playing both roles as conventional and inverted. He's shown to be strong both offensively and defensively. AMN, pre COVID-19 showed to be very..
capable as an inverted RB, when Saka was playing at 'LB'. A notable strong display of his was nullifying Zaha's threat. He's also showed to provide a strong partnership offensively with Pepe. Hector hasn't convinced overall since his injury but recently he's provided encouraging
performances. Maybe he is finally recovering from his ACL? But overall, I believe that both Hector and AMN provide greater longevity and can play to the style Arteta wants. Then we have Cedric. He certainly has a lot of experience and the Euro's is something impressive he has
in his CV. But if i'm honest, he never convinced me when he was at Southampton. Why did Southampton let him go? Going forward, his style is that he likes to put crosses in whenever he approaches the opposition half. These deep crosses are not going to be a consistent avenue
for chance creation as we do not have a player who is dominant in the air. If we had Giroud, then this would be effective. But we need a FB who is capable of overlapping and creating a partnership with Nico, and in my opinion, I think both AMN and Bellerin are better in this..
aspect and are more flexible. Its looking likely that one of Hector or AMN is leaving but I will leave you with this question. Whoever stays between the two, if he receives a significant injury, god forbid, do you think Cedric can provide the consistency thats needed?
