The positive and negatives of Arsenal using 4-2-3-1 & 4-3-3

Arsenal Going 4-1-4-1 Boosts Attacking Potential

The standout and leading justification for moving to a single pivot side, either in 4-1-4-1 or 4-3-3, is that there are more attacking and creative players on the pitch. It’s fairly straightforward.

With Partey screening the defence and providing the central progression it allows one of Gabriel Martinelli or Nicolas Pepe to come in, with both adding explosive qualities in and around the box.

Additionally, it keeps Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe as duel No. 10’s who can dominate half-spaces and feed the passes into Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and the wide players to attack the box. Each attacking lane has a boost in creativity for a side that has been lacking exactly that quality.

Odegaard isn’t a central midfielder but he does enjoy dropping deep close to Partey to at least offer a diagonal option in the centre and some extra cover in those spaces, even if he isn’t the most defensively sound.

With Xhaka and Partey the former looks better. Xhaka always looks better with Partey. For the Ghanaian, however, he’s at such a level that he can continue to dominate the midfield, break lines and screen the defence just as effectively whether he’s stood next to the No. 34 or not. His ability isn’t lessened without Xhaka’s presence.

The ‘Rolls Royce’ midfielder, if kept fit, can be what books Arsenal a place in European competition for next season and he doesn’t need his much-maligned sidekick to continue performing at this standard.

Are there concerns, though? There always are, and that’s why the 4-2-3-1 might be another option to consider.

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