Arsenal vs Liverpool: 3 tactical solutions to midfield crisis

4-3-3 With Duel No. 8’s

Known for quite some time to be Arteta’s preferred formation, earlier in the season supporters got a little giddy at the thought of it coming into fruition when it was dabbled with against Norwich, and then used from the off against Burnley.

Having its moments since, the recent run of wins prior to the Man City defeat saw it used at certain points of build up, with Xhaka as a left-sided No. 8 with Partey deepest of the trio.

Neither of those two are available for this one and, across the whole season, this team has looked more structurally sound with the double pivot. For what Arsenal have it serves them best.

What Arsenal don’t have, however, is two central midfielders.

Going with a 4-3-3 would match up with the Reds’ shape and keep numerical equality in midfield, with the two options Arsenal could select next to Sambi being Smith Rowe and Odegaard. Both have played in the position before this term, albeit with Partey, it it helps Arsenal add more creativity into central areas.

They are also two players who are distinctly more comfortable when not shackled with deeper defensive duties, and the worry is that they could be dominated physically. Roberto Firmino will drop off in between the lines and defensive awareness has to be at an absolute premium to handle the interchanging, as well as Trent Alexander-Arnold drifting into the half-spaces.

As much as the solution to having one central midfielder could be solved by just….playing one central midfielder, it asks a lot of two players coming back from both injury and Covid. The aforementioned Patino can’t be thrust into the role either.

Verdict: 3-4-3, 4-2-3-1, or 4-3-3. It’s a tough choice with the personnel at hand. But, without wanting to steer too far away from the norm, White in midfield seems like the best choice.