[THREAD] Arteta should really take this international break as an opportunity to rid this current system and start from scratch. Here’s a few things that need to be addressed, in my opinion:

When Mikel was first appointed as the Arsenal coach we played a solid 4-2-3-1. Then post lockdown, we switched to a strict 3-4-3 because of unreliable defenders (pre-Gabriel). So he isn’t afraid to switch systems when it isn’t working, unlike others.

Nico Pépé:

Last season, Arteta tried to make Nico the supplier in our front three (eg. FA cup, Newcastle H, etc). 1/2

2/2 When he isn’t that, he’s a goal scorer. He’s always left wide to put crosses in when he should be making runs infield following crosses from the other side (eg. Molde).

If Pépé isn’t, then who will be the supplier in Arsenal’s front 3?

Rotating between Bukayo and Willian on the left side would (with help of others yet to be mentioned in the thread) create enough chances for us to score.

Aubameyang:

The Gabon international won his golden boot at the club playing as a striker down the middle, and we need him back in that position. I understand Lacazette playing recently due to starting only 2 midfielders, so he was asked help out defensively. 1/2

2/2 We now have extra protection at the back with Gabriel which gives us the opportunity to switch to a midfield 3, inevitably meaning Lacazette no longer has a place in the squad.

More creative options:

Kieran Tierney, Hector Bellerin, and either Dani Ceballos or Mesut Özil should give us plenty of creativity both from the flanks and down the middle.

Tierney is very limited in this current system, he is never given the freedom to burst forward despite his pinpoint crossing. If we swap to a system of play where he is allowed to go up and down the flank, I wouldn’t be surprised if he hits double digits for assists this season.

Despite lacking defensive awareness, Hector Bellerin has proved this season how much he can offer going forward. Leading the assist and chance created charts at Arsenal, the Spain international is another option to help with the creativity issues at the club.

Özil is undeniably a brilliant creator, we were scoring goals for fun until he was dropped. With Dani also offering very good dribbling and incisive passes. In the right system we can transform into top 4 favorites.

My suggested lineups for the remainder of the season:

In lineups 1&2, I wouldn’t mind Saka and Chambers rotated with Willian and Luiz respectively. It all depends on fitness and how Callum returns from injury.

Despite lacking pace and acceleration, Xhaka has to start every game in my opinion. He gives us so much balance and protection in midfield, it was definitely a mistake dropping him.

In these suggested lineups I would like Kieran to be given much more freedom to go forward and cross, relying on Xhaka to cover the left flank behind him.

Moreover, Pépé needs to be played as an inside forward. Similar to Aubameyang’s current role. This way, where he is given the opportunity to shoot instead of cross, we will see a substantial improvement in his performances.

Dani Ceballos was another player that was unable to express himself due to the system we played. In a Midfield 2, he was never allowed to go further up the pitch, because that would then leave Xhaka isolated in the middle of the pitch.

Lastly, I would like Leno try and play it out from the back quicker, maybe to a midfielder for once. We have a handful of ridiculously fast players and we can hurt teams with a quick counterattack.

I would like to add that I don’t claim to know better than Mikel. He is much more qualified than I ever will be. These are just my thoughts and opinions.

Likes are very much appreciated.