Arsenal 16-17 (4-5-1) - Premier League - ShareMyTactics.com
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Arsenal's width comes primarily from their full backs as we don't tend to play with traditional wingers. Both Monreal and Bellerin get forward at regular intervals, so from a defensive standpoint, a diamond midfield may be our best bet. Xhaka can drop in alongside the CBs, but where he scores over Coquelin is that he can also come deep to receive the ball from either the CBs or Cech and start attacks off rather than forcing him to kick long. Cazorla also has to ability to do this, though Xhaka's physicality would bring another dimension to this role, allowing Santi to roam centrally and find pockets to receive, retain/recycle (which he is best at) and distribute the ball. Ozil is the only player in the team to have a free role at the tip of the diamond where his movement, quick thinking and ability to find a pass can be utilized to the hilt. The crucial element of this diamond is Ramsey, a player criticized unfairly for being played out of position or with the wrong partner. Ramsey may be happiest as a CM, but in this system, he would play more like an inverted winger, a hybrid of Ray Parlour and Freddie Ljungberg. When defending, this sytem becomes a 4-3-3, with Ramsey tucking in alongside Cazorla and Xhaka When attacking, he is brilliant and making late diagonal runs into the box, running on to passes from any of the front 3. This also allows Bellerin to overlap, and his understanding with Ramsey coincided with the best form Arsenal displayed this season. The same relationship applies to Monreal and Sanchez as well. with the latter happiest when cutting infield and running at the defence. The striker situation is a bit precarious, as Giroud works best as a target man, bringing the midfielders into play rather than running into channels. but it remains to be seen if he's Arsena;s first choice striker next season.
