Villarreal vs Arsenal: 4-2-3-1 with tactical familiarity

Like the process of making films, we’re only in the pre-production stage and already there is so much to dissect for Villarreal vs Arsenal. This Europa League semi-final meeting is bursting full of narratives, making matters on the pitch almost secondary.

Unavoidable is the two men taking their places in the technical areas, their respective records in charge of Arsenal and what impact winning or losing this semi-final will have on the clubs’ futures. That barely scratches the surface.

So what about on the pitch? What about how to win this football match?

To account for the absence of Kieran Tierney, and in some part Martin Odegaard, the 3-3-4 or 3-4-3 system has been implemented by Mikel Arteta, most notably coming into its own as Slavia Prague were handsomely eliminated in the quarter-finals.

Villarreal vs Arsenal: 4-2-3-1 with tactical familiarity and Granit Xhaka in midfield key to Europa League semi-final victory over Unai Emery’s side

But here, on the eve of Thursday’s first leg, news of Tierney’s potential return, along with David Luiz, Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, has opened the door for status quo to be reintroduced.

If the Scotsman is fit, Arsenal must revert to the 4-2-3-1 with him at left-back. If he isn’t deemed ready to start this fixture, Arsenal must still revert to the 4-2-3-1.

Utilising Granit Xhaka as a left centre-back that occasionally moulded into a left-back in times of repeated pressure, has worked. The past two results don’t reflect that, but from a defensive standpoint neither Fulham nor Everton laid a glove on Arsenal.

Why not against Villarreal? Well, on the one hand even against the Toffees Richarlison moved onto the right flank to try and isolate Xhaka, only once truly beating him, which was for the goal. Thus, if Arsenal can suppress a £50m speed merchant against the Swiss then surely they can do it against another pacey wide player in Samuel Chukwueze.

There are two reasons why they shouldn’t: Unai Emery and attacking output…

Arsenal Need Granit Xhaka in Midfield, Not Left-Back

Emery spent days pouring over videos delving deep into how his side should set up tactically to both exploit opposition weakness and understand their strengths. As The Athletic reported, this could begin five days ahead of kick-off.

Chukwueze is someone very adept at isolating his man, with Gerard Moreno dropping off into the right half-space to drag a central defender out and make space for that duel. Emery will seek to exploit this and instill an approach that always has one man running beyond in every foray.

Whether Arteta opts for Cedric, Bukayo Saka or even Gabriel to fill the left-back void in case of Tierney not being ready, implementing a flat back four with additional pace to cover is essential, both in transition and when the ball is in the middle third.

It also comes down to attacking output. Away from home for the first leg, the mantra has to be to really get at Villarreal, pin them down, maintain pressure and manufacture goalscoring opportunities with regularity.

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Where Xhaka has improved in midfield is moving the ball to whoever is wide left with enhanced speed and efficiency. Being too laboured in possession is where he’s drawn deserved criticism, but this aspect of his game has been worked on, proving especially effective when Nicolas Pepe is on that flank since he makes the direct and aggressive runs only Gabriel Martinelli can match. While Dani Ceballos has had four of his better outings recently, he stills overcompensates on the ball, not releasing fast enough.

Arsenal need to keep recycling possession with speed and intent. Play the football they know; grind the opposition down; drag them out of position; stick to the plan.

It’s been a recurring theme in knockout matches this season where Arsenal have lost their groove, the confidence in their style. Against Benfica and Slavia Prague it’s happened where 15-minute spells of fluidity and rhythm are offset by sloppiness derived from a reduction in pace.

Play the 4-2-3-1 and stick to the principles. Ensure there is a neat balance of creators and penalty box aggressors in the front line and don’t allow that lethargic voice in the back of the head to seep into the game if a goal hasn’t come after 30 minutes.

With five substitutes it isn’t essential to make an immediate impact on the scoreline. In most cases, these fixtures become encounters decided on the effect substitutes can have.

Arsenal must be physical, aggressive and play the style the players know they can. Let vibrant, sexy and enjoyable football be the talking point after the game, not Emery getting one over on his former employers.