Arsenal: Virgil Van Dijk Looking More Of A Need Than A Want

So Arsenal’s defense was yet again sent to the guillotine, although this time, it was a clean cut. Maybe Virgil van Dijk Should be a priority after all.

I hadn’t been completely sold on the idea that we needed Virgil van Dijk. He is obviously such a solid presence on the defensive end, but the potential/ability concoction that Arsenal already has looks like an experimental managers toy land.

So many options, so many possibilities.

However, the 3-4-3, while boasting a 3-0-1 record, has led to some defensive frailties. The three defenders that we are utilizing, Gabriel, Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal, are all undersized, athletic center backs who should be using that athleticism to snuff out passing lanes, because when it comes to physical confrontations, they will lose.

That isn’t working. There are so many moving parts that opposing attacks, when those parts start moving, can slip through the open channels and punish the Gunners. All they need is persistence in the attack and accurate passing. Granted, this style has it’s perks, but until it’s figured out, the more options the merrier.

Since that isn’t working. So the next logical adjustment is to try more pressure-absorbing defenders in that back three and few do that better than the hulking, brutish Virgil van Dijk. Put him out there with Rob Holding and whoever else you want to flank him with and see if you can use a tight back three to suffocate opposing attacks, rather than trying to use a spindly back three to try to cut the supply lines.

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At the very least, having both options at your disposal would leave you even more options. Adding van Dijk would give Wenger and whoever comes next two back threes with two distinct skill sets.

With Koscielny, Gabriel and Shkodran Mustafi, you have an agile line with athleticism. With a van Dijk, Holding and Calum Chambers back line, you have physical sturdiness and dominance in the air.

Then when you start mixing and matching, the possibilities are limitless.

The 3-4-3 needs more exploring. Different teams use it different ways. But the way Arsenal has been using it is curious because of how the wide center backs are used as fullbacks. Meaning that the attackers only have to beat that one guy and then they are in on goal against a single central defender.

Speaking of possibilities, that is when an attacker has endless possibilities of his own.

Next: Arsenal's 30 Greatest Players Ever

Tottenham exposed the problems of the back three by sucking them out of position and picking them off. There were times where it all held together and it does seem to be improving, but there is still room to grow.

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