Arsenal Vs Vitoria SC: 5 things we learned – Absolute shambles

2. Know the strengths of a system

Unai Emery switched the system drastically, playing a back three for the first time this season. He used the 3-4-3 shape extensively last year and also in the pre-season, though also ceded that a back-four-based system is his preferred approach and generally stuck to that throughout this campaign. Nevertheless, on this occasion, out came the back three.

There is nothing wrong with using the back three. In fact, given the circumstances, away from home against a possession-based team that are vulnerable to the counter-attack, it made a lot of sense. But Arsenal played the 3-4-3 shape as if it was something that it isn’t, a vehicle for possession football, short passes from the back and dominating the central midfield.

The main advantage of the 3-4-3 is the freed positions of the two wingers, who can act like wide attackers in a back four but have none of the defensive responsibility, thus being able to drive forwards whenever the ball is turned over — Arsenal were at their most dangerous when they could break on an exposed Vitoria defence from turnovers. But Emery’s side played slowly, short, looking to keep the ball and progress the play through a two-man central midfield that was thoroughly outnumbered. The system was not the mistake, the execution was. But that, I feel, is still the responsibility of the manager.