3 ways Arsenal could line up in midfield after November international break

This has been a nice bit of respite for Arsenal following a tough run after the October international break. However, the schedule is unrelenting and without stoppage through to March from this point on.

The Gunners' four-game winless run in the Premier League leaves them nine points behind leaders Liverpool and with many supporters doubtful that Mikel Arteta's side can challenge for the title once again this term.

However, we all know how quickly the dynamic of the division can change and a kinder run, despite its busyness, for Arteta's side up until the new year leaves them with a good chance of eating into their current deficit.

Crucial to their recent slide has been the absence of captain Martin Odegaard, who returned from his ankle injury for the first time in almost two months in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea before the November break. His return simply must ignite a resurgence from aesthetic and productivity perspectives moving forward.

We know that the skipper is going to be a midfield mainstay, but what combination is Arteta going to opt for over the coming weeks? His engine room has appeared cumbersome and bereft of inspiration at times this season, so what triumvirate should he decide upon to ensure Arsenal can perform at their apex?

Here are three midfield combinations the boss should consider (apologies in advance, Ethan Nwaneri).

3 ways Arsenal could line up in midfield after November international break

1. Rice - Merino - Odegaard

I'm not going to pretend that I've been particularly impressed by Merino so far. The Spaniard has offered energy without the ball and is a threat in the opposition's box, but he's often looked clunky and sloppy in possession. He'll improve over time, no doubt.

Mikel's going to stick by his compatriot, and Merino should benefit from Odegaard's return. A return to the midfield configuration commonly seen two seasons ago would allow Merino to operate in the 'Granit Xhaka role' that should suit his profile while also maximising the potential of Arsenal's struggling left flank.

Odegaard can operate from his usual right half-space and drift into a metronomic function when required, while Rice is the best option for the #6 role despite Thomas Partey's strong start to the season.

The Ghanaian has shown he can be relied upon this term after a a couple of injury-ridden years, but Rice doubtlessly has a higher ceiling at the base of midfield given superior athleticism and ever-improving maturity in possession.

After Merino was brought to the club in the summer, many thought this midfield configuration to be Arsenal's best.

2. Partey - Rice - Odegaard

Okay, maybe Merino hasn't done enough to emerge as a starter after the break, even if his cameo at the Bridge was bright.

Partey has generally been reliable at the base of Arsenal's midfield this term, starring over the past month. He's not been a marvel in possession, but the veteran operator is circulating possession efficiently and has been excellent without the ball. He was brilliant at claiming the loose ball in Milan during the Gunners' 1-0 defeat to Inter which allowed his side to sustain pressure.

His ability to anchor won't be ignored by the boss, but his presence thrusts Rice into the left-sided #8 role which still doesn't sit right with me. He's not a player who excels when receiving ahead of the ball, and he lacks the guile/technique to combine and create from congested zones in and around the box. Rice is pretty effective when crashing the box, though.

The Englishman enjoyed the most productive season of his career while primarily operating from an advanced midfield position last term, although a good chunk of his goal contributions arrived from set-pieces.

Perhaps we could see a change of tack from Arteta which would see Partey and Rice perform more like a double pivot and Odegaard operating as a classic number ten. Back to the 4-2-3-1 like it's 2021/22 again.

3. Partey/Rice - Havertz - Odegaard

Shock, the skipper's a constant. The past six weeks have reminded us not to play football without Odegaard again. It's not fun.

So, yeah, he's going to be in any potential midfield configuration moving forward. We have to expect Rice to join him in the middle of the park despite Partey's resurgence, although the Ghanaian is strong competition for the Englishman at the base of midfield. With Odegaard marauding through the right half-space and either Rice or Partey providing anchorage, Arteta could opt for Kai Havertz in a midfield position.

I know what you're thinking: no, just no, but hear me out. If Havertz can be used in tandem with Gabriel Jesus or Leandro Trossard - as was the case at the end of 2023 - in a fluid function which allows him to rotate into a centre-forward position, there's use for him in midfield. Arteta loves his duel-winning ability, but he does have drawbacks in possession when attempting to receive and combine in deeper zones.

The idea of left-sided #8 Havertz shouldn't be completely canned. There will be games when his ability to ghost in behind from deeper positions comes in handy.

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