Arsenal Vs Aston Villa: 3 key mistakes Mikel Arteta made

1. He used the wrong system

In recent weeks, Arsenal have enjoyed great success with the 3-4-3 shape that Arteta has implemented. The extra central defenders provides a little more protection in the defensive third. Dani Ceballos and Granit Xhaka help to marshall the midfield as a double-pivot in front, while the freedom of the wingers allows the team to break forward on the counter-attack.

Against better teams, like Liverpool and Manchester City, it is the perfect system to use. Sit deep, soak up the pressure, and then burst forward on the break, using the speed of Aubameyang to get in behind the exposed and advanced opposition defence. But when Arsenal want to control the game, to dictate play, to press high up the pitch, and to create chances, the system does not work.

There are several reasons for this, but the main issue is having a two-man midfield. It simply does not allow to dominate possession due to a lack of numbers in the central area. There are few options for the defence to play forward passes into, and when they do, with only two central midfielders, the opposition can press easily.

Arteta currently implements a juxtaposing style and system. They do not fit hand-in-hand. On Tuesday, those problems came to light in the most disappointing of manners.