Arsenal Should be Creative With Creativity Against Dundalk

Across the whole 2020/21 calendar, Arsenal won’t have an easier game on paper.

That, of course, doesn’t mean they’re going to waltz to victory. Any such lingering presumption needs to be cast aside right away. However, quality-wise, and viewed from a non-emotive standpoint, this is a game Arsenal should win. And relatively comfortably.

Football, and Arsenal, don’t work like that though. Anyone predicting a slight upset or a closer-than-you’d-like European night won’t bear such concerns without reason. A memorable night in Dundalk’s history won’t drift by as just a moment to savour, but indeed an opportunity to create history. Spirit and passion can take you places in this sport. You needn’t look past the Irish side for confirmation of that.

What Arsenal do have in their favour is quality. Talent that is yet to find its groove in an attacking sense. Lots of shiny rings that are yet to link together via a magician’s sleight of hand.

The word creativity is October’s buzz word. It’s unavoidable to read anything on Arsenal or watch any discussion on the club without it cropping up, usually preceded by ‘a lack of’. Mikel Arteta is still shuffling his deck in an effort to draw the right hand, but Thursday could be a chance to be creative….with creativity.

An exciting crop of youngsters have come through the academy and are waiting their turn under his guidance, most notably Emile Smith Rowe. How and where – should he choose – to line him up at the Emirates will rest on his shoulders, yet there is scope to freshen the team up with prospects such as him in a variety of attacking formations.

Seeing more of the 2-3-5 when on the ball, blending that into a 2-3-1-4, with one player told not to leave his place hovering between the lines centrally, not only would he appease supporters but he’d also get a first-hand look into utilising such a role in a competitive fixture.

Whether it’s that or some other method, showing a willingness to experiment with attacking shapes – while still keeping focus, respecting the opponent and setting out to win – as opposed to the give-it-to-Granit Xhaka approach that bored us all to death against Leicester, would offer the sign of progress supporters are after.

A tough balance to strike, but this attacking transition needs a lift, a sign of progression, that could start on Thursday.