Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

3 ways Arsenal could line up in attack next season

By James Cormack

Arsenal's English striker Eddie Nketiah (C) celebrates with teammates Arsenal's Brazilian striker Gabriel Martinelli (L) and Arsenal's English midfielder Bukayo Saka (R) after scoring his team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Everton at the Emirates Stadium in London on May 22, 2022. - - 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 Daniel LEAL / 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 DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's English striker Eddie Nketiah (C) celebrates with teammates Arsenal's Brazilian striker Gabriel Martinelli (L) and Arsenal's English midfielder Bukayo Saka (R) after scoring his team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Everton at the Emirates Stadium in London on May 22, 2022. - - 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 Daniel LEAL / 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 DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next

Option #2: Jesus – Nketiah – Saka

Gabriel Jesus often played wide right last season. (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Gabriel Jesus often played wide right last season. (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

The dynamic of this triumvirate differs somewhat from option #1 because it’s taking into account the potential arrival of Lisandro Martinez from Ajax.

Martinez, who would be the most intriguing addition of the Arteta era thus far, could potentially play as an inverted left-back should Kieran Tierney succumb to further injury woes. Thus, ideally, Arteta would deploy a wide player capable of hugging the touchline ahead of him.

Martinelli could be used, but he’s more effective functioning as an inside forward, while Saka is certainly a possibility. In this instance, Arteta may replicate Guardiola’s use of wingers on their natural flanks. The left-footed Saka would play off the left with Jesus or Martinelli being deployed on the right.

Jesus and Martinelli’s respective profiles mean Takehiro Tomiyasu would be the best option at right-back. Both he and Martinez could invert into midfield, freeing up Arsenal’s #8s to join the forward line and create a 2-3-5 shape in possession. Oh, and Eddie Nketiah can lead the line with Jesus drifting wide.

It’s 2017/18 Manchester City all over again, folks!

Continued on the next slide…

Home/Arsenal News