Arsenal: Aaron Ramsey hints at formation clarity

Aaron Ramsey has stated that the new 3-4-3 system suits many players in the Arsenal squad. His comments provide a little clarity regarding Arsene Wenger’s plans for next season.

As Arsenal toiled through the mid-part of last season, lacking confidence and conviction in their play, Arsene Wenger was forced into drastic action. As a manager who is notoriously stubborn and headstrong, Wenger abandoned his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, instead shifting to a 3-4-3 system, one that he had only played once during his North London tenure, over 20 years previous.

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The change was life-giving. The Gunners played with a greater defensive shape and structure, were regimented in their positioning, while slowly coming to grips with the slightly different attacking approaches that the system demanded.

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The season culminated in a remarkable FA Cup final win over Premier League champions Chelsea, who were blitzed by a pacy, vibrant Arsenal, unable to deal with the relentless pressure they were under in the final third, pulled apart by the fluid, dynamic movement, thanks to the freedom that the system birthed.

The success of the new formation, contrasted with Wenger’s historically entrenched philosophies, mean that predicting how he would prepare his side for the future is extremely difficult. Will Wenger abandon his usual tendencies and commit to what has been successful more recently, or will he revert back to the tried and trusted methods of his long, winning reign?

Well, perhaps Aaron Ramsey’s recent comments provide a little peek into Wenger’s thinking. Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s opening preseason match against Sydney FC on Sunday, Ramsey revealed how the system ‘suited a lot of players’ already in the squad:

"“The system suited a lot of players. It gives us a platform to build from. I felt good in that formation – it freed me up to get forward a lot more and get into some dangerous positions so I really thought it worked for us towards the end of the season. I haven’t set any goals but with this new formation a long season, hopefully, an injury-free season. I know what I am capable of doing. If I can stay fit then hopefully it will take care of itself, but no targets, no.”"

Those comments suggest to me that Wenger has been continuing the implementation of this new system in training. That is from reading between the lines and is perhaps a little speculative. But, nonetheless, if Wenger is not set to abandon what could well have been a temporary measure, then at the very least, it gives the squad versatility and flexibility, both within games and from week to week.

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Much of the summer will be spent discussing and speculating whether Wenger will continue with the 3-4-3 or not. While it is far from clear, Ramsey’s comments do provide a little clarity on a hazy topic.