Tactical analysis: Arsenal to go 4-2-3-1 against Brighton?

Arsenal might just be playing Brighton at the perfect time, which is strange to declare given they currently sit four places further up in the table a boast a four point advantage over Saturday’s visitors.

They’re also having to deal with a few unwanted injuries. Yves Bissouma is the standout name and while there is still a chance he could be fit in time for the Amex Stadium meeting he isn’t expected to be in his finest fettle if so.

For all those endeared by numbers, the Seagulls are also having something of a reverse season: they’re outperforming their xG more than any other side in the division whereas last term they massively underperformed based on their metrics; xG always catches up you at some point.

Equally, Arsenal are on something of a high as they head into this one with their tails up after one of the best performances seen during Mikel Arteta’s reign against Tottenham. There are reasons to be confident.

Tactical analysis: Should Arsenal go with a 4-2-3-1 formation against Brighton with Albert Sambi Lokonga and Thomas Partey in the pivot?

Granit Xhaka’s long-term injury has already disrupted that positivity after it was confirmed the midfielder, who would doubtlessly have started this match, was ruled out for three months with injury. It’s an unwelcome blow. Granted, while it would have been nice for him to be succeeded in this team at some stage, preferably that would have been on merit and not at the cost of losing a key member of the personnel for such a long period of time.

It nonetheless presents a huge opportunity for others to step up. Just as it opens the door for Arteta to revert to the single pivot system he’s utilised already with Thomas Partey at the base of midfield.

Against Brighton one of the 4-1-4-1 or 4-2-3-1 formations will be in use, the latter almost certainly to include Albert Sambi Lokonga in the double pivot.

Should how Graham Potter sets up his side have an impact on what system Arteta opts for? If it were Chelsea up away from home then most would be screaming for Arsenal to match their shape and find ways to nullify the 3-4-3 with a midfield box and bombing wing-backs.

Is that the way to go? No, it isn’t.

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