Arsenal Vs Wolves: 5 things we learned

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LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 02: Unai Emery, Manager of Arsenal gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Emirates Stadium on November 02, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) /

4. Dear God, not the 4-4-2 diamond

Unai Emery fielded 4-4-2 narrow diamond for the third time this season. The first came away at Liverpool with the Gunners looking to sit deep and play on the counter-attack. The second was also away from home, this time at Watford, Mesut Ozil’s first and only start of the season up until this week. And this was the third time the experiment was rolled out. Predictably, it was the third time it failed.

It was a fluid shape and it did provide some nice passages of play in possession, especially shortly before and after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s opener, but the overall attacking play was centralised and congested, with little width to stretch the Wolves defence and open up pockets of space. Similarly, it also unhinged the collective structure of the team, which allowed Wolves ample opportunity to counter-attack. With little help out wide, the full-backs were isolated, while the central midfield was stretched as they were forced to cover.

In summer, then, not only were Arsenal limited offensively due to the lack of natural width; they also looked vulnerable defensively. The 4-4-2 diamond does not work. The quicker Emery drops it, the better for all.

Arsenal Vs Wolves: 5 things we learned – Unai Emery, it is time

By Andrew Dowdeswell | Nov 2, 2019

4. Dear God, not the 4-4-2 diamond