Arsenal: Every possible defensive scenario against Watford

Arsenal have suffered multiple injuries to thier defense this season. How will these injuries effect the Gunners formation on Saturday against Watford?

Over the most recent international break, we saw a handful of Arsenal players qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Alexi Iwobi scored the winning goal to send Nigeria to the World Cup. David Ospina and Olivier Giroud were some of the players who helped their respective countries qualify on the weekend as well.

There were also some players who failed to reach the Cup, like Alexis Sánchez and Sead Kolašinac. This international break will not be considered a success by Gooners though, as Shkodran Mustafi suffered an injury while playing for Germany.

Although the severity of the injury is still unknown, it has been confirmed that Mustafi will miss the trip to Vicarage Road on Saturday. Laurent Koscielny has also been out due to injury. Koscielny is questionable ahead of the game on Saturday.

If Koscielny is out

Arsenal could still run a three in the back if Koscielny is ruled out. They could feature Per Mertesacker in the middle, Nacho Monreal on the left, and Rob Holding on the right.

This formation would be the best suited for them. The last time these two teams met on January 31st, Watford ran victorious 2-1. In this game, the Gunners ran their traditional four at the back.

Watford have a leaky defense but have a decent attack that put three past Liverpool in August. A three at the back may be the perfect formation to combat the inconsistent Watford team.

Calum Chambers could also play in front of Holding if healthy. Chambers has only made one appearance this season in the EFL Cup and was substituted off at halftime due to the injury he now suffers from.

A long shot to start in the back would be Mohamed Elneny. Elneny started at center back multiple times in preseason. Where Elneny would play within the three would be the main question, as Monreal has the left side locked down, but the middle or right side could be occupied by Elneny.

If Koscielny is healthy

If Koscielny is ready to play on Saturday then the formation and backline is simple. They should go with a three in the back, with Monreal on the left, Koscielny in the middle, and Holding on the right.

Another option worth taking a look at is Monreal on the left, Mertesacker in the middle, and Koscielny on the right. There is no need to run a two in the back when players like Monreal and Koscielny are healthy.

Four in the back formation a possibility?

April 10th, 2017 was the last time Arsenal played with a four in the back in the League. This game was a low point in the season, as they lost 3-0 to Crystal Palace.

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It seems unlikely that Wenger will switch to a four in the back just because of a couple injuries. Arsenal have the personnel to play a three in the back as well.

A four in the back would have Kolašinac at left back and Hector Bellerín at right back. This limits the two’s attacking ability as they will have to track back more.

One way Wenger can combat this is by having a holding midfielder, like Elneny or Grant Xhaka. This player would sit in front of the center backs, which would allow the full-backs to attack.Then two central midfielders would be placed above the holding midfielder, like Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere. This is similar to what Manchester City have done under Guardiola.

Then two central midfielders would be placed above the holding midfielder, like Ramsey and Wilshere. This is similar to what Manchester City have done under Guardiola.

If Koscielny is healthy, who would be his partner? Mertesacker may not get the start due to his lack of pace if a four in the back is the formation ran.

That would most likely leave Monreal and Holding, although Monreal may not be the best fit to play as a center back in a four in the back. Thus, they should continue their streak with the 3-4-3.

Lots of confidence

Watford humiliated Arsenal last season at the Emirates. They also have dangerous goal-scoring threats like Troy Deeney, Capoue, and the exciting Brazilian Richarlison. This could be a comfortable win if Wenger employs a 3-4-3 and have the likes of Sánchez, Mesut Özil, Ramsey, and Alexandre Lacazette on top of their game looking to score and create.

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Man City defeated Watford by a staggering scoreline of 6-0 a few weeks ago. This should give the Gunners more optimism coming into the game. This could be a comfortable win if Wenger employs a 3-4-3 and have the likes of Sánchez, Özil, Ramsey, and Lacazette on top of their game looking to score and create.

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