Arsenal: 4 things we'd like to see vs Watford in the Premier League

Arsenal: 4 things we’d like to see vs Watford

Arsenal's English goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale (3L) exchanges words with Leicester City's Northern Irish defender Jonny Evans (2R) after contact between the two during the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and Arsenal at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on October 30, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

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BURNLEY, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Thomas Partey of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor on September 18, 2021 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images) /

4. Arteta Not to be Tempted by 4-3-3

When the first iteration of the 4-3-3-/4-1-4-1 shape came into effect this Premier League season against Norwich, it was evident that Arteta had something in mind when taking on the supposed ‘lesser teams’.

Far from a perfect system with the personnel Arsenal have as it drags players out of their best positions, when it’s at home against a team with a big drop off in quality it can be a useful tool to dominate sides and pose attacking threat from every angle.

Used against Norwich, Burnley and Crystal Palace, the temptation will surely be there for Arteta to field as many attacking pieces as he can to blow the visitors away. Their defensive shape is poor and they look hopelessly unorganised.

Arteta should resist that urge, however, if it is starting to make him ponder.

Sambi has been handed this free run at the starting lineup until Granit Xhaka returns (and even possibly after) and should be handed as many minutes as he can get alongside Thomas Partey. Moreover, the system and partnership has been working over recent weeks, so there is no outright reason to change it.

Nuno decision made easy. dark. Next

Having a double pivot to share No. 6 and No. 8 duties, shorten distances and provide centrality has been key to the upturn in form. Arsenal are scoring goals at the moment, let that continue.

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