Potential Lineups of Arsenal 2018/2019
It's quite exciting is it not? New season, new manager and a whole bunch of uncertainty. In this uncertainty lies hope that something special can come from this era, the Emery Era. For some Arsenal fans, Arsene was the only manager they knew, so this period of waiting to see what a new manager has in store is unexplored territory.
As for Emery, Arsenal is seen as a fresh start after a confusing time at PSG. Many would consider winning every domestic trophy at least once to be a success, but such were the expectations on his shoulders after the club's massive dealings in the transfer window. As time passed, rumors circulated that he did not even have full control over his squad and was told by those above him to give special treatment so some players, namely Neymar Jr. Now Arsenal is the complete opposite where historically the manager has almost a hand in every area of the club's running, albeit his title is 'Head Coach' and not manager.
Thus, brings us here not knowing what to expect. However, we have tried to make some expectations as to how we may see this brand-new Arsenal line up for the season of 2018/19. These lineups, however are based on transfer dealings up to mid-July despite the rumors of Emery wanting one or two more additions to the team. We took into consideration that Jeff Reine-Adelaide, Chuba Akpom, Carl Jenkinson, Krystian Bielik and Joel Campbell are all expected to be sent out on loan or sold so therefore have not been used.
FAMILIARITY: 4-2-3-1
From the one preseason game so far, we have seen that Emery is not against using Aubameyang on the wing during the 8-0 win vs Borewood United and in the process scoring a hattrick. His partnership with Lacazette also seems to be continuously growing in both understanding and compatibility and Emery may want to field both of them at the same time. Alongside them in attack, Özil would be the creative hub of the team in his preferred role with Mkhitaryan providing the flair from the right flank.
Xhaka and Torreira are preferred partnership at the base of the midfield. Xhaka as the deep-lying playmaker and Torriera as the box to box midfielder that Arsenal has lacked for years that can alleviate some of the team's defensive problems. Where does Ramsey fit then? There have been suggestions that he can play in place of Xhaka or even play at the 10, and Özil pushes wide. However, given his attacking tendencies, prior to Emery which are subject to change, it may not be advisable for him to play in a 2-man midfield. Özil'S defensive frailties is also cause for concern if he is to play out wide. Therefore, we take you back to 2015 where Ramsey had formed a partnership on the right with Bellerin and to great success, most notably 4-1 win over Liverpool and a 3-0 over Manchester United which we think Emery may revisit.
Monreal's age is a cause for concern which has led to the choice of Kolasinac on the left whilst, for the time being, Bellerin picks himself on the right. Sokratis is the new man and is expected to start as well as Bernd Leno after their moves from the Bundesliga. One spot remains and Chambers has been chosen over Mustafi based on him and Sokratis having a similar style of defending.This, as well as his strong ending of last season, has seen Chambers picked over Mavropanos and Holding both of whom may not complement the Greek's style of play.
3 MAN MIDFIELDS: 4-3-3/4-3-1-2
Midfield trios that have clicked at Arsenal have been in short supply, however given the numerous midfield options at Emery's disposal he may be tempted to field either a diamond midfield or a 3-man midfield with the squad's chief creators out wide.
There have been calls for the diamond formation to be played as it allows all of Özil, Ramsey, Xhaka and Torreira to start at the same time. However, a lack of width would draw some concern to Emery as it would place a huge onus on the full backs to provide the width. The positive with this formation is that it gets Ramsey, Özil, Lacazette and Aubameyang playing together. Along with the previously mentioned partnership with Aubameyang, Lacazette also has a good understanding with Ramsey, where half of Ramsey's assists in the league have been to Lacazette. Very easily this formation can become more of a 4-2-2-2 with Ramsey and Özil operating with free roles in the wider areas of the pitch.
On the other hand, Mkhitaryan's contribution should not be dismissed and has shown to have consistent end product whether it be goals or assists. Mkhitaryan's dribble and energy makes him ideal for the flank, as well as how well he is on either foot. Özil is less adept on the wing but he has been used there successfully before by Germany and can do so once again for club. Very easily Özil could drop into the midfield 3 and Lacazette could force Aubameyang out wide. Nelson and Iwobi are also options for the wider spots as well as in the middle. Iwobi finished last season with some strong performances from the middle of the park and would be keen to have another chance in there.
3 AT THE BACK: 3-5-2/3-4-2-1
Emery has not been known to use this formation but it has been used to get some of the best out of some of the current players, specifically defenders. Mustafi is one of those players. Having had his best performances for Arsenal at the middle of a back 3, he would be the natural option to be selected. Monreal is another who has had some of his better displays in this formation. It is, however, another formation which places great reliance on the wing backs to provide the width but in this formation, they are less likely to be caught out with the extra defender. Xhaka and Torriera again would be the expected pairing in the middle of the pitch for the same reasons mentioned previously.
During Arsene's reign we saw more of the 2 attackers playing off of the main striker and this can be replicated with the club's newest number 7 playing a similar role as to that of Alexis. Aubameyang is once again expected to lead the line with Lacazette giving competition for a place in the starting lineup.With the 3-5-2, however, the club's leading marksmen can play together. Their styles of play are different yet complementary to one another that they brought out the best in one another. In the latter stages of the league, though the games were meaningless, we saw how well they link up with one another. Mkhitaryan, Ramsey and Iwobi can push to be part of the attacking trio or even in a deeper role in the case of Ramsey. Holding also has seen success whilst playing on the right of a back 3 in the journey to the FA Cup win of 2016.
As for Emery, Arsenal is seen as a fresh start after a confusing time at PSG. Many would consider winning every domestic trophy at least once to be a success, but such were the expectations on his shoulders after the club's massive dealings in the transfer window. As time passed, rumors circulated that he did not even have full control over his squad and was told by those above him to give special treatment so some players, namely Neymar Jr. Now Arsenal is the complete opposite where historically the manager has almost a hand in every area of the club's running, albeit his title is 'Head Coach' and not manager.
Thus, brings us here not knowing what to expect. However, we have tried to make some expectations as to how we may see this brand-new Arsenal line up for the season of 2018/19. These lineups, however are based on transfer dealings up to mid-July despite the rumors of Emery wanting one or two more additions to the team. We took into consideration that Jeff Reine-Adelaide, Chuba Akpom, Carl Jenkinson, Krystian Bielik and Joel Campbell are all expected to be sent out on loan or sold so therefore have not been used.
FAMILIARITY: 4-2-3-1
From the one preseason game so far, we have seen that Emery is not against using Aubameyang on the wing during the 8-0 win vs Borewood United and in the process scoring a hattrick. His partnership with Lacazette also seems to be continuously growing in both understanding and compatibility and Emery may want to field both of them at the same time. Alongside them in attack, Özil would be the creative hub of the team in his preferred role with Mkhitaryan providing the flair from the right flank.
Xhaka and Torreira are preferred partnership at the base of the midfield. Xhaka as the deep-lying playmaker and Torriera as the box to box midfielder that Arsenal has lacked for years that can alleviate some of the team's defensive problems. Where does Ramsey fit then? There have been suggestions that he can play in place of Xhaka or even play at the 10, and Özil pushes wide. However, given his attacking tendencies, prior to Emery which are subject to change, it may not be advisable for him to play in a 2-man midfield. Özil'S defensive frailties is also cause for concern if he is to play out wide. Therefore, we take you back to 2015 where Ramsey had formed a partnership on the right with Bellerin and to great success, most notably 4-1 win over Liverpool and a 3-0 over Manchester United which we think Emery may revisit.
Monreal's age is a cause for concern which has led to the choice of Kolasinac on the left whilst, for the time being, Bellerin picks himself on the right. Sokratis is the new man and is expected to start as well as Bernd Leno after their moves from the Bundesliga. One spot remains and Chambers has been chosen over Mustafi based on him and Sokratis having a similar style of defending.This, as well as his strong ending of last season, has seen Chambers picked over Mavropanos and Holding both of whom may not complement the Greek's style of play.
3 MAN MIDFIELDS: 4-3-3/4-3-1-2
There have been calls for the diamond formation to be played as it allows all of Özil, Ramsey, Xhaka and Torreira to start at the same time. However, a lack of width would draw some concern to Emery as it would place a huge onus on the full backs to provide the width. The positive with this formation is that it gets Ramsey, Özil, Lacazette and Aubameyang playing together. Along with the previously mentioned partnership with Aubameyang, Lacazette also has a good understanding with Ramsey, where half of Ramsey's assists in the league have been to Lacazette. Very easily this formation can become more of a 4-2-2-2 with Ramsey and Özil operating with free roles in the wider areas of the pitch.
On the other hand, Mkhitaryan's contribution should not be dismissed and has shown to have consistent end product whether it be goals or assists. Mkhitaryan's dribble and energy makes him ideal for the flank, as well as how well he is on either foot. Özil is less adept on the wing but he has been used there successfully before by Germany and can do so once again for club. Very easily Özil could drop into the midfield 3 and Lacazette could force Aubameyang out wide. Nelson and Iwobi are also options for the wider spots as well as in the middle. Iwobi finished last season with some strong performances from the middle of the park and would be keen to have another chance in there.
3 AT THE BACK: 3-5-2/3-4-2-1
Emery has not been known to use this formation but it has been used to get some of the best out of some of the current players, specifically defenders. Mustafi is one of those players. Having had his best performances for Arsenal at the middle of a back 3, he would be the natural option to be selected. Monreal is another who has had some of his better displays in this formation. It is, however, another formation which places great reliance on the wing backs to provide the width but in this formation, they are less likely to be caught out with the extra defender. Xhaka and Torriera again would be the expected pairing in the middle of the pitch for the same reasons mentioned previously.
During Arsene's reign we saw more of the 2 attackers playing off of the main striker and this can be replicated with the club's newest number 7 playing a similar role as to that of Alexis. Aubameyang is once again expected to lead the line with Lacazette giving competition for a place in the starting lineup.With the 3-5-2, however, the club's leading marksmen can play together. Their styles of play are different yet complementary to one another that they brought out the best in one another. In the latter stages of the league, though the games were meaningless, we saw how well they link up with one another. Mkhitaryan, Ramsey and Iwobi can push to be part of the attacking trio or even in a deeper role in the case of Ramsey. Holding also has seen success whilst playing on the right of a back 3 in the journey to the FA Cup win of 2016.
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