Arsenal vs Brighton: 4 most likely solutions to left-back dilemma

2. Move to a 3-4-3 Formation

With only nine games left, changing our system now would be a bold move. Perhaps a foolish one.

However, we have seen Arteta do this before with great success in the 2020 FA Cup run. In terms of personnel, it’s not too hard to see how this would play out; Saka is capable of playing either wing-back position, while Tavares and Cedric are both better suited to the attacking side of the game.

Furthermore, it also gets Xhaka in alongside Sambi Lokonga in midfield, who might require the extra cover having barely featured in 2022.

Still, we have come as far as we have this season by playing our preferred 4-3-3 shape. It wouldn’t make a great deal of sense to drastically alter our approach after just one awful game, especially in a home match against Brighton where we should be playing on the front foot. Moving to a back three now would likely just create more new questions than answers.

Another point to consider is that we currently only have three senior center-backs in our first team squad, so starting them all together would probably not be the wisest decision.

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