It’s 4-3-3 in 09/10
1 comment July 31st, 2009
Towards the end of last season, after Barcelona’s stylish system overthrew Manchester United to raise the Champions League aloft, many Arsenal fans pondered whether or not a similar formation could be employed at Arsenal.
For a long time, Arsene was a resolute 4-4-2 man. Recent years have seen him experiment with 4-5-1, 4-1-4-1, and even 4-2-3-1. In each of those experimentations, the system has appeared to be a step backwards: a negative, defensive effort to prop up our weakening midfield.
This pre-season, however, Arsene has taken a somewhat radical step. In all of our pre-season friendlies (bar the opening game at Barnet), he has fielded a 4-3-3 system akin to the Catalan side. This culminated in a solid first-half performance against Hannover on in midweek, with Nicklas Bendtner and Andrey Arshavin playing either side of a central Robin van Persie. Cesc Fabregas started alongside Alex Song and Denilson in the midfield, and it worked a treat for the only goal of the game – Bendtner’s ball from the right brought under control by Van Persie, who turned and played in the forward-rushing Fabregas to score.
It’s not difficult to fathom Arsene’s thinking: we have a surplus of attacking players, so fitting three into the system is obviously beneficial. Furthermore, we currently lack the Flamini-style midfield player required to allow Cesc to flourish in a 4-4-2. As far as existing partnerships go, Denilson and Cesc lacks power, Nasri and Cesc lacks tackling ability, and Song and Cesc remains relatively untested and seems somewhat undynamic. Using three central midfield players allows Arsene to cover more bases.
I could look very silly if tomorrow we commence our Emirates Cup campain with a traditional 4-4-2. The indications, however, are that we will persist with this new formation – both this weekend and in the future. There’s no need to pinpoint which individuals will play where – part of the system’s beauty is its fluidity.
It’s this shift in tactical intentions that gives the tiniest bit of credence to those Patrick Vieira rumours. It’s far easier to imagine the elderly Paddy sitting at the back of a midfield three than striding around in a pair. That said, I maintain that I’d be absolutely flabbergasted were this to amount to anything.
There’s a few other transfer rumours about today: Blaise Matuidi (credible), Marouane Chamakh (incredibly boring), and Daniele De Rossi (inconceivable). I do however think that Arsene will dip into the market again, especially if, as seems somewhat likely, Emmanuel Eboue completes a move to Fiorentina.
Finally today, RIP Bobby Robson: an absolute gent and a top football man.
