Arsenal: 4-4-2 Formation Shift Could Be On The Cards

Welbeck’s return to fitness means Arsenal now have 4 strikers fit. Would this be the perfect time to experiment with a 4-4-2 formation?

In the summer months, it would have been unthinkable. Arsenal with four fit quality strikers? Not a chance. Yet here we are with Sanchez, Giroud, Perez and Welbeck all fit and ready to play.

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It is ironic that six months ago Gooners were worried about a lack of forward options but a surplus of midfielders. But at present we seem to have a surplus of strikers and a shortage of midfielders with only Ramsey and Xhaka available.

As a result, I believe this could be the perfect junction to try out a 4-4-2 formation. Here is my argument for why this could be a successful tactical tweak.

Not only do we have enough personnel, we also have the right set of players. There is a variety of combinations that you could throw up with these four strikers. But my two ideal partnerships would be Perez & Giroud and Sanchez & Welbeck.

Firstly, Perez and Giroud. There is already evidence that this partnership could be blossoming. At 3-0 down against Bournmouth, Wenger threw on Perez next to Giroud. Both players scored vital goals and looked dangerous together up front.

This trend continued on Saturday against PNE. While both were off the pace in the first half (partly due to the fact the whole team was woeful). The second half saw more combination play between the two.

Perez set up Giroud for a goal correctly ruled out for offside late in the second half. And he managed to return the favour for Giroud’s midweek assist by providing a wonderful back heel that Giroud finished off. They may not be the most glamorous partnership but they could prove to very effective.

The second duo that could sparkle in a 4-4-2 system is Sanchez and Welbeck. The pace and power of these two combined would be unreal. While we have never seen them operate alongside each other. Last season (when Welbeck had a run of starts),there seemed to be a good understanding between the pair.

Alexis likes to come short and make things happen while Welbeck is a beast in behind. This a another partnership that could be very fruitful.

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So while the strikers would be effective in this system, how would the rest of the team fare? Such a formation may not allow for a classic no.10 like Ozil but the German could slot in on the left or even centre of midfield alongside Xhaka.

The 4-4-2 formation would also allow Walcott and Bellerin’s understanding to continue to improve on the right hand side. This system is very focused on width and would complement our right sided speedsters very well.

Ramsey and Xhaka may not have made the most of their audition for a long term partnership on Saturday but playing 4-4-2 could benefit them as well. With two strikers and two wingers to feed, Xhaka would be spoilt for choice with long balls. While Ramsey has the stamina required for a system that is reliant on midfield power and durability.

Wenger has never been known as one to be flexible. But recent evidence (like going with two up top in the last quarter against Bournemouth) may suggest Le Prof is more open to tactical changes to his beloved 4-2-3-1 formation.

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With 4 strikers at our disposal, our Frenchman manager would be wise to try out the 4-4-2 formation. It could prove to be a very effective system for our quality squad of players.