Pain in the Arsenal
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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) /
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Option #3: Jesus – Smith Rowe – Martinelli

Mikel Arteta could utilise Emile Smith Rowe as a false nine. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta could utilise Emile Smith Rowe as a false nine. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /

Fabio Vieira is yet to come up because I firmly believe his future lies as an #8. Arteta will surely want to evolve him into a Bernardo Silva-type box-to-box midfielder considering their stylistic similarities.

Although, Arteta could deploy him as a false nine. But, I believe Emile Smith Rowe would be the best option for this role should the Spaniard ever go down that route – as his mentor so often does.

Smith Rowe’s athleticism and interpretation of space make him the ideal profile for the function. He’s also proficient at arriving late into the box with his ball-striking often reliable. The 21-year-old scored ten times in the Premier League last season from an xG of just 5.8.

The use of a false nine means it’s imperative that a pair of runners are deployed out wide. So, to give Saka a rest, Jesus and Martinelli would be the most suitable options. I’ve already noted each player’s proficiency at running in behind.

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