Arsenal vs Manchester United: The one area of concern

If Arsenal can play like they did at Chelsea, Manchester United won’t be a problem, but there is one obvious area of clear concern.

I’m one of those Arsenal fans that, after seeing a tremendous outing from the club, I assume they can just replicate exactly what happened the last time out. Because why wouldn’t they?

In all seriousness though, if Arsenal can play like they did against Chelsea, then there aren’t many teams they can’t beat. They defended fantastically, their midfield was everywhere, and their strikers were precise and deadly.

It was a tremendous effort that, despite just being one match, injected a lot of confidence into player and fan alike, and for just cause. It was a really good match that showcased the true quality of this club.

I fully support Unai Emery rolling with the same set-up against United. Why wouldn’t we? Play to the strengths of the club, and the midfield is certainly a strength.

But the problem with that is most recent development – the long-term injury to Hector Bellerin.

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

Part of what made the back four so effective was that Bellerin defended so well and, somewhat surprisingly, so did Sead Kolasinac on the other side, but he had a lot of help from Guendouzi as well.

Still, that changes against United. With Bellerin out and Lichtsteiner no longer a viable fullback, it falls on Ainsley Maitland-Niles who, while athletic as anyone else out there, is not a defender, and if you think about the struggles that Kolasinac has had defensively as a fullback, I start to question if we really can play the same way we did against Chelsea.

Or if we even want to try.

The situation at fullback would require some serious inspiration to keep from turning into a disaster. You can win the midfield all you want, but then you have to win the battle on the flanks too.

The other option, the one that I’m considering more and more as the better option, is running with a back three, letting Kolasinac and Maitland-Niles suit up as wingbacks and, if you still want to play to the midfield strength, you can still send three midfielders out there and start two strikers up top.

Obviously it’s a bit different than what worked so effectively against Chelsea, but having the creativity of the wingbacks will, ideally, make up for the one less body in the midfield.