Arsenal vs Norwich: Key Tomiyasu decision at right-back

Since Arsenal last kicked a ball they’ve signed a new player! That 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Manchester City may well have been the clincher that prompted the late purchase of Takehiro Tomiyasu, considering what a majestic mess it was.

Probably not, though. When the window first opened it was widely reported that right-back featured on the club’s transfer wishlist with Hector Bellerin due to be a certain departure from north London.

Calum Chambers and Cedric could well have left if acceptable offers came in for them, such was the case for the vast majority of the squad, although neither made way.

Then on deadline day Tomiyasu made the £16m move from Bologna and before he’s even been pictured in London Colney his every step has been tracked and each touch analysed by the supporters keen to see him in action.

Arsenal to get Takehiro Tomiyasu work permit boost for Norwich clash but three other options are in contention for right-back position under Mikel Arteta

Due to meet his new teammates and see the training centre for the first time on Thursday after being away with Japan on international duty, hopes of him being in the starting lineup against Norwich may need quelling.

Friday will likely be his first full day of training and only meeting the manager face to face on Thursday, let alone getting to know the rest of team, means it would come as a big surprise to see him in action from the off for his Premier League debut. Arsenal remain confident he will secure a work permit in time, so the option is there, even if it would surely come too soon.

Which leaves an interesting scenario. So far, Arteta has handed Cedric and Chambers two starts apiece in the league, both playing different positions, and is clearly not overawed by either.

With Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who is available, not getting much in the way of a look-in so far, it looks like it could be left to a two-man battle for a starting berth – but we shouldn’t rule Maitland-Niles out (or Tomiyasu) since, after all, Arteta saw what we saw at the Etihad.

Different skillsets pose different options for this crucial fixture.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles to Come Infield

Having Maitland-Niles at right-back is an entirely different prospect to having either Chambers or Tomiyasu in this role due to the knock-on effect it has on the midfield.

If it’s the Hale Ender then the 3-2-5 shape that Arsenal often build up in will see a midfielder drop in between the split centre-backs so Maitland-Niles can shift into midfield. Conversely, in the matches Chambers has been playing this season he’s been playing as the right centre-back of a three, allowing whoever is in the double pivot to stay further forward.

There is an entirely different attacking dynamic too as Maitland-Niles is also comfortable overlapping and underlapping down the touchline just as he is making clever dummy runs to open spaces.

That latter point is one of his best traits.

Nicolas Pepe is something who can be the beneficiary of such movement although just how much license to roam forward Maitland-Niles will have is dependent on Kieran Tierney on the opposite side just as it is the expansiveness of Norwich’s left-back options, Dimitris Giannoulis and Brandon Williams.

Continued…

Cedric Soares for 2-3-5 in Possession

In an ideal world Cedric would have been moved on during the summer transfer window. This is not an ideal world we’re living in.

One of four options who can play at right-back (five if you count Ben White), the 29-year-old is most peoples’ last pick to play in the position.

What benefit would come from fielding the Portuguese against Norwich is that be boasts better technical quality in the final third than Chambers – key word is ‘better’ – and that he is more of an attacking outlet.

Will Arteta get his side on the front foot from the first minute and look to put breathing space between themselves and Norwich early doors? It’s an approach that risks being too open early doors but due to the Canaries’ front three of Milot Rashica, Teemu Pukki and Todd Cantwell not being pace merchants, he may desire a really high line to compress the pitch.

Cedric playing means Arsenal can build out with the two deepest players being the central defenders and aim for a more 2-3-5 in possession. It’s a more attacking approach and ensures there can be plenty of width across the team, which he may opt for.

The major concern being, of course, that it’s Cedric.

Continued…

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.