Arsenal: Francis Coquelin hoping for a back four swap

Arsenal have now flirted with a return to the back four, and it may be Francis Coquelin leading the cheer to the switch to finally happen.

When Arsenal swapped the 4-2-3-1 for the 3-4-2-1, there were a bunch of benefactors. Aaron Ramsey got the freedom he needed. Granit Xhaka got some added security in behind him. Our third centerback, whoever he was on any given day, could rely on playing time.

There were also some people who massively lost out. Theo Walcott, for one. Walcott had literally no position in the 3-4-2-1, as his skill set was as a winger and nothing more. Not a striker, not a wingback, not a midfielder.

Francis Coquelin, however, was also largely taken out of the picture. With such an added impetus on strengthening the attack and then back line, the midfield crop becomes limited to those who are versatile and sturdy (that’s the idea at least).

Coquelin was not that. He was determined and fierce, but he was certainly not versatile. We often joke that he doesn’t have an offensive bone in his body, but is it really a joke?

That said, seeing the mistakes that we are now seeing with the defense, Wenger may be letting the back four creep back into his mind. He utilizeda back four against BATE Borisov and it was quite effective.

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It was a 4-2-3-1, but what I have in mind is a 4-4-2 diamond (we can all dream, right?) In either case, with the added midfielder, you can sacrifice a position to be completely dedicated to winning the ball back a-la N’Golo Kante. I prefer the 4-4-2 diamond, because the idea is that Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey can flank Coquelin and the midfield can find solidity in having a ball winner with two outlets, both of whom have some defensive capabilities to help out when needed.

It is a reactionary measure, but then again, so was the switch to a back three. The previous 4-2-3-1 was not fitting the current needs of the teams and the players and, as of right now, the current 3-4-2-1 is on the fence. Ramsey is still benefiting, but Xhaka, the defense and arguably the wingbacks are struggling (mostly the right side).

Coquelin is just a guy that I never want to give up on, given his spirit. It’s a spirit that Arsenal can learn a lot from. And if we were to swap back to aback four, I would hope that he could benefit in some way.

Next: 3 Reasons Granit Xhaka Should Not Be Dropped

After all, it was Coquelin’s ball-winning abilities that saved the day when he returned early from Charlton Athletic in a crunch. The right formation builds up the right players. When built up, Coquelin is absolutely effective.

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