Arsenal: Sead Kolasinac making the formation all about him

Arsenal ran with the 3-4-3 yet again, and it’s going to get gradually harder not to deploy in that formation with Sead Kolasinac doing what he’s doing.

Unai Emery has opted for the 3-4-3 formation in each of Arsenal‘s last two matches, and it has done some controversial things. For one, it has kept out Mesut Ozil. For two, against Tottenham, it kept Alexandre Lacazette from starting.

But there’s a reason why the 3-4-3 is getting chosen, and there is a reason it will likely get chosen again, and that reason is Sead Kolasinac.

No one has benefited from this formational change quite like the ridiculously talented Bosnian. When deployed at wingback, he makes the entire match about him. As if the left-hand side is all that really matters. We saw it against Bournemouth first, with his man of the match performance that saw him absolutely dominate that entire side. It was mostly offensive, but his defense wasn’t exactly a problem.

Against Tottenham, he did all of it – attack, defend, brawl, create, penetrate – you name it, Kolasinac was one of the most successful at doing it.

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He led the team with a massive five chances created on the day, which pads the two he had against Bournemouth (including an assist) and suddenly, our bombarding left wingback is tied for the team lead in creating clear chances – tied with Ozil.

Kolasinac brings the hurt. He is simply fearless when it comes to any aspect of play. Even the commentators pointed out how just about all of the Gunners’ attacking threat was coming from the dual wingbacks, who have become such a dominant pairing that it’s going to be hard to opt out of this formation.

That primarily comes down to Kolasinac, however. For as highly as I think of Nacho Monreal, he can’t do what Kolasinac has been doing with his recent performances. He just can’t. The Bosnian has been so good that the lack of Ozil and the shoddy form of Mkhitaryan hasn’t been a problem at all.

In fact, it’s simply meant that Kolasinac has been able to assert himself as a major difference maker within the club. Someone who concessions need to be made for in order to ensure that he continues to play whenever he’s available.

He’s making the choice of formation all about himself. And there’s nothing wrong with that. I’m sure Unai Emery is quite pleased with the decisions he has to make on any given matchday.