3 tactical changes Mikel Arteta needs to make vs Chelsea

3. Adopt an attacking style

Between the return of Odegaard and a change in opposition, this concern might (hopefully) take care of itself.

Recent caution and the (very) sparing use of Ethan Nwaneri have hurt Arsenal greatly, resulting in us being slow and ponderous on the ball and reduced to incessant sideways/backwards passing that is all too easy to resist.

But Chelsea are a more expansive team and, thus, our ‘forced’ insipidity of late might be quickly cast off on Sunday; perhaps for a vertical approach which lets the Gunners perform on the front foot and ask questions of the Blues rearguard.

Thomas Partey and Odegaard – both in contention here – rank among the very best for penetrating passes and should therefore (like other teammates) be released from their defensive shackles, with greater trust instead placed in their lock-picking skills and attacking forte than in their parapet-like suitability.         

Any repeat of the Newcastle effort will end badly and, in any case, it is high time Arsenal imposed their will on the opposition – with our midfield stocks replenished, we have all the tools needed to pick Chelsea apart.

Do that and another Stamford Bridge win beckons.

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