Arteta’s Arsenal experiment has ran its course and must end

There were no great qualms over Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal lineup in the 4-0 defeat to Liverpool. Only one position was up for real debate and while there were cases to argue either way, the selection of Nuno Tavares wasn’t without merit.

In terms of formation it was relatively straightforward as well. The 4-2-2, 4-2-2-2 or 4-4-1-1 shape, however you want to put it, has brought some moderate success of late with the newfound strike partnership of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette.

Having Lacazette as the second striker who can harry, be a bit of a shi*thouse and get in the opponents’ faces has given Arsenal the lift they sorely needed from the Crystal Palace game onwards.

Coming into the team he brought a new energy and vigour. Acting as the No. 10 style glue that links midfield and attack, his reintroduction into the team has helped with building up through the thirds. The mini-revival since his involvement can’t go unheralded without mentioning his name.

Arteta’s Arsenal experiment has ran its course and it is time for Alexandre Lacazette to drop out of the Premier League team in the quest for creativity

It is, however, looking like this experiment has ran its course.

Pre-match it felt like the right selection to make. Lacazette is a player who laps up the big occasion and more often than not follows that through with a committed and effective display. At Anfield he had started in that fashion, ruffling Liverpool feathers, joining in with the press and getting himself about.

His usage was somewhat miscued, though. Aiming to be more of a midfielder than a striker on this occasion, he was neither here nor there with Arsenal lacking anything progressive in central areas, and as is customary his powers faded around the 60-65 minute mark. Fabinho had dominated him physically, even though he’d done OK considered the circumstances.

There have been inklings of his impact in the team starting to fade in recent outings. What he brought to the table in matches against Palace, Aston Villa and Leicester was an invigorating energy, bite and connection, something that has gradually drifted as the games have gone on.

Teams are recognising how the approach works, and managing their way around it. Watford’s three-man midfield found ways to nullify him, just as the Reds had too. In a general sense, he hasn’t been offering enough, especially in regards to attacking threat.

Arteta’s experiment brought about the desired result. This was a way of making Arsenal more cohesive and compact, but it’s time to change it.

And that means one thing.

Continued on next page…