Arsenal vs Norwich: Key Tomiyasu decision at right-back

Calum Chambers in a Back Three Build-Up

In the matches Chambers has played this season he’s effectively been a right-sided central defender in a back three.

Against Brentford he forayed forward infrequently and his average position was no more advanced than Pablo Mari. If he plays on Saturday it would be more of the same. The aforementioned lack of blistering pace from Norwich’s front line gives him a bit a of breather, with the advanced full-backs where he may come unstuck.

Adopting this approach is with an eye on having a defensive wall that gives the structure which enables the creative players and midfielders to interchange. A defensive diamond formation with the back three and one central midfielder can be formed and progression through central areas and then into wide zones can be adopted.

Playmaker Rashica has great movement and will always command the overlapping runs of his full-back to open gaps in the half-space, and this is where Chambers can come unstuck without support. But he’s a defender, right? He should be capable?

It is hoped, anyway, that Arsenal will see the lion’s share of the ball at the Emirates Stadium and only be subject to occasional bombardment. Chambers will be crossing his fingers for that too, especially having seen how easily he was carved open at the Etihad which Arteta will have made him re-watch for hours on end.

He still looks unfit.