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THREAD: The role each player must play for us to successfully transition to Arteta's favoured 4-3-3 system. I provide my thoughts on how each players must be able to fulfil certain requirements if we are to play this system. RT's so more Gooners can see it would mean a lot
GK: As football has evolved, there are more fundamental traits and attributes goalkeepers require. Shot stopping ability is the bare minimum in todays game, especially at the top clubs. The ability to command their box, deal with set pieces and crosses is also a fundamental..
But distribution and composure on the ball is extremely important. MA is an advocate of playing out from the back, and being calm in possession. This is why Martinez is winning me over in terms who I would choose to be number 1 for next season. When you have a keeper like Emi,
who is very comfortable with the ball at his feet, he provides you with two different avenues for chance creation and building attacks. The first is playing out from the back, and building patterns from deep. The other is when playing against team, who deploy a press, whether
its a tactical one (City) or a high energy one (Liverpool), the GK is able to play a long ball, find his man, and start an attack in this fashion. Now lets analyse our two outstanding keepers. Leno is a better shot stopper. But Emi provides a us with more reliability in the way..
he deals with crosses/commands his box. When there is the chance to catch the ball, he does it which releases all the pressure from the defence. His distribution is superior which is key to the way we want to play. The conclusion is that our GK must provide good distribution
FULL BACKS: A position that has evolved over the years. In the past, FB's were tasked solely to be assured defensively. In modern football, a lot more emphasis is now put on their influence offensively as well as out of possession. Under MA, I believe that he will require his..
FB's to fulfil two roles. Their ability to play as a 'conventional' FB and as an 'inverted' FB. A clear pattern of play under MA, pre COVID was the way we overloaded on the left hand side, with a 3-2-5 system. Xhaka drops into LB and Saka would be tasked to play as a conventional
one, create width out wide, occupy players, and provide supply lines with good quality crosses. Our RB at the time, whether it was Hector or AMN, would be tasked to tuck in (invert), maintain a pivot and provide enough cover in midfield. This position is used so that when....
possession is lost further up the pitch, we would be in a better position to deal with transitions and turnovers. I think MA will deploy similar patterns but do it in a way that is a lot more unpredictable, which is by mimicking this type of play on our right hand side as well
We were left sided dominant pre COVID, so that Saka wouldn't be a detriment to the team. Xhaka's positioning meant Bukayo would be tasked with minimal defensive responsibilities. But with actual FB's, both will be able to play to the style we need in and out of possession.
CB's: Obviously, the CB's must provide the defensive qualities that will allow us to keep clean sheets and minimise the amount of goals we concede. But if we want to implement a possession based style of football, they must provide desirable attributes in possession. They have
to be comfortable on the ball, provide progression from deep whether its through calculated long balls in behind or through intricate ground passes that break the lines, which in turn allows players to receive the ball on the half turn. So it's vital that they are able to provide
progression from deep and help start to initiate attacks through our own half. This is why I would be very excited with eventually, a potential CB partnership of Saliba-Gabriel. They both compliment each other well and could certainly be a very successful duo for the foreseeable.
future. The backline in general have to be comfortable in playing a high line when needed as well. To maintain control and dominate games, we need to have players in midfield and in defence who are able to win the ball back quickly, and enable us to continue to impose our game.
CM: For us to move into a 4-3-3 system, our midfield must possess three essential attributes. 1) Line breaking ability, 2) Destroyer/ ball winner, 3) Creative hub. Xhaka remains in the side and is a fundamental player in providing progression from deep, with his line breaking..
passes. Ceballos also provides this and hopefully we can get a deal done for him. Right now, we lack a physical presence in midfield. Someone who provides tenacity, steel and aggression. Thomas Partey would fill this void. The qualities he provides in possession is the reason I..
wouldn't play him as a 6. His passing range is underrated and he has the ability to provide progression by carrying the ball. He would play as a high energy 8, providing an influence both in and out of possession. Creativity is the final aspect needed. Someone who can drift in..
between the lines, connect the front three and provide a goal threat. This is a vital element to break teams down who deploy low block. If PC is brought in, this would complete the midfield and provide us with all the necessary attributes needed to transition to a 3 man midfield.
WIDE ATTACKERS: Many teams are now playing with wingers who are act as inside forwards and play of the CF. United have it with Greenwood and Rashford, who both like to cut inside. City have it with Mahrez and Liverpool have it with Salah and Mane. With Auba and Pepe, we have a
similar situation. Pepe is a typical, modern day inside forward who is always looking to shift the ball on his left. With a RB who can support him, and develop a partnership offensively, he will flourish. We have seen this happen in recent games. A healthy combination between..
Hector and him has started to grow. What HB is doing is providing him with an overlapping option, occupying players and giving his space. The same applies to our left, and Tiereny is very capable of providing width. Whilst many want Auba to play centrally, he can be just as..
lethal as a LF/inside forward who plays close to the CF. The two wide forwards will be tasked to maintain consistency offensively and provide us with G+A. Full backs will be vital, alongside our midfield creator/creators, in developing a partnership with these two.
CF: Arteta clearly wants more qualities from his CF, than just providing goals and being a 'fox in the box'. They have to be able to drop deep, in between the lines, and provide a link between midfield and attack.This is essential for a 4-3-3. Martial and Firmino are two examples
Whether its Laca or someone else, as he could be sold, they must provide this. There are two phases needed. Phase 1 is hold up play. Phase 2 is the off the ball movement and desire to impact the game through scoring goals. Both aspects are needed imo. Hope you enjoyed the read
