Arsenal: Tactical flexibility key in top-four quest

Unai Emery has proven willing to use a number of tactics and formations in Arsenal’s recently concluded preseason campaign. That tactical flexibility will be key in the Gunners’ quest for the top four.

Arsenal has appointed a new manager after Arsène Wenger’s retirement, which saw him leave the club after 22 years.

Catch the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal podcast right here

The new manager is Unai Emery, who has previously managed both Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla, even winning the Europa League three times in a row with the latter. Now that the preseason campaign is over, we can properly assess Emery’s tactics and philosophy at his new club.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

The key thing seen with Emery throughout his summer preparations was tactical flexibility. While he may stick to his preferred 4-3-3 or the 4-2-3-1 variant (both are quite similar) for the majority of the season, he wants his team to be comfortable with different formations, such as the 3-4-3 and 4-4-2 `formations he tested — it is important to note that Emery may just have been trying out formations and now may never use them again. I highly doubt it, though.

Emery impressed the board with his detailed presentation on each and every player and how he could improve them. He is known to be extremely detailed and methodical in his study of opposing teams and tactics also. While studying opposing teams, he may change his own team’s formation if he feels that would improve their chance of winning.

The willingness to change tactics depending on the opponent, if done correctly (and that’s a big if), could greatly improve the chances of cracking the top four and securing Champions League football.

Aside from flexibility in formations, Emery has shown a willingness to play different styles of football, even from within the same structure. Under Wenger, the Gunners played a possession style of football. While Emery is primarily doing the same — albeit with more intense pressing — he has made the passing more direct and forward-thinking, rather than a focus on simply preserving possession.

Passing should be done with a specific reason (just ask Spain). Reiss Nelson’s goal against Lazio came from a quick counterattack. But had Granit Xhaka or Calum Chambers not looked to play forward and simply played safe to keep the ball, it would never have happened. It’s all about what’s in your locker, your arsenal, if you will (pun definitely intended).

Having tactical flexibility will ensure that there are always different game plans that can be used. This is incredibly important for a team often criticized for lacking a ‘plan B’. It may not always work and will require some experimentation in lower-risk games, but if it works, it can win Arsenal a lot of games.