Should we change formation?

[QuartzGooner]

Next season if everyone is fit * we will have a glut of central midfielders.

Wilshere, Diaby, Arteta, Song, Coquelin, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ramsey.
Plus youngsters Frimpong, Miyaichi, Campbell, Eisfeld, Ozyakup and Yennaris fighting for places.

I am a firm believer in changing formation either during a game or for the odd game as befits circumstance, but we use a regular formation.

Should it be changed from our current one?

Reasons for possible change:

1 - Lots of central midfielders on the books.
2 - Discussion on here about central midfield not protecting the defence.
3 - Slow build up play.
4 - Lack of creativity in current formation.

I think a move to a 4-1-4-1 could benefit us.

A - Would allow more pace to be used.

B- More creativity in central midfield.

C - Experienced and disciplined Arteta guards the back four in similar way that Gilberto did.
Can move across to left or right to cover if Oxlade Chamberlain or Walcott cut in.

D - Tenacious and tough tackling Coquelin covers groudn in central midfield, freeing up Wilshere to be more creative.

E - Wilshere is able to pass from middle of the pitch, but also chip in with tackles if needed.

F - Rosicky can focus on creativity and setting up Van Persie, instead of Van Persie just relying on crosses.

G - Pace out wide on both flanks.




My suggestion, based on current players:

(With The Ox/Coquelin rationed games because of their age, relatively rotating with Gervinho/Song :

---------Szczesny-------

Sagna--Vermaelen----Koscielny---Gibbs

---Arteta---

Walcott----Coquelin--Wilshere---The Ox--

-------- Van Persie -----

Bench: Manonne, Santos, Jenkinson, Song, Rosicky, Ramsey, Gervinho








* Full fitness is unlikely!

[donaldo]

No change the manager

[LDB]

Its not about formation in my opinion, its about the gap we allow between our midfield and defence and whether or not we should be playing an orthodox defensive midfielder. In my opinion a large part of our problem is that we dont adapt the shape of our side to the situation, we show zero respect to the opposition with the way we set out to play. Wenger's idea is to just play the same way when battling for points at drab shit holes as we do on sunny days at the bowl.

In basic principle I am not against the 433/4231, its the modern formation and we have the players for it.

Basically, away from home Song (Wenger will never drop this lumox so not point entertaining the idea of a replacement) needs to sit deeper.

[augie]

When it comes to various tactical formations I like to believe that I am quite flexable and am a firm believer that the formation should suit the players and not the other way around. That being said I absolutely want this 4-5-1 formation scrapped and would strongly support changing back to 4-4-2 or 3-5-1. The biggest single factor for my hatred of the current system is that more often than not it leaves rvp isolated up front but I also feel that it allows our 3 central midfielders too much freedom to do with they want by feeling that they have two team-mates alongside them to cover for them however prior to the arrival of arteta we had nobody disciplined enough to that job.

I know that I am repeating myself here but imo wenger should now be pushing big time to sign de jong in the summer - if we are to change to a system that leaves only two in central midfield then one of them has to be a big strong ballwinner that is positionally and tactically disciplined enough to protect our defence. We can talk systems and tactics all summer long but without a de jong type of player every formation is doomed to fail imo so for me after we clinch podolski signing then a DM should be priority

[Dan_85]

Its not about formation in my opinion, its about the gap we allow between our midfield and defence and whether or not we should be playing an orthodox defensive midfielder.

It all started going tits up when Gilberto left...

[LDB]

Its not about formation in my opinion, its about the gap we allow between our midfield and defence and whether or not we should be playing an orthodox defensive midfielder.

It all started going tits up when Gilberto left...

Not replacing Gilberto and thinking he could get a team to maraud its way to success without any basic defensive foundation was the biggest mistake of Wenger's time at Arsenal and it was all ultimately down to his arrogance. Fergusmoan never allowed his ego to get so big that he thought he could defy gravity. Wenger did.

Such a shame

[aw]

Firstly , I hope Quartz is wrong about how many midfielders we will have and that some of the younger ones get farmed out on loan (Ramsey included). And of course we buy a good DM as well.

Secondly, whilst I agree with augie in general , I believe it depends more on who and where we are playing and our formation should vary from game to game. Changing mid game should also be an option.

[1989]

-----------------------Szczesny----------------------
Sagna------Mertesacker-----Kos------Vermaelen
-----------------------M'Vila---------------------
---------------Arteta-------Wilshere--------
Chamberlain---------------------------Podolski
---------------------Van Persie---------------


That team could walk the league tbh

[Yankee_Gooner_Dandee]

-----------------------Szczesny----------------------
Sagna------Mertesacker-----Kos------Vermaelen
-----------------------M'Vila---------------------
---------------Arteta-------Wilshere--------
Chamberlain---------------------------Podolski
---------------------Van Persie---------------


That team could walk the league tbh

This doesnt work because there is no creative midfielder. Wilshire is more of an all around CM, not an attacking one the likes of Fabregas. The closest thing we have is Rosicky.

Sagna------Mertesacker-----Kos------Vermaelen
-----------------------M'Vila-------------------------
----------------------Wilshere----------------------
Chamberlain--------Rosicky-------------Podolski
---------------------Van Persie---------------------

This works better imo. Except that Mertesacker is not good enough, and we'd either need a new LB or CB to make up for him. Rosicky is good, but I'd prefer someone a little better as well.

[QuartzGooner]

Yankee

I would argue that whilst Wilshere is an all round midfielder, he is the best creative player that we have.

I think your selection does not offer enough pace, only really on the right with Sagna and The Ox overlapping would it carry a pace threat.

[Rosie_titters]

if everyone is fit

wenger will go with Arteta, Song & Wilshire in the centre, with Walcott and Gervinho wide - not everyone's choice, but that's how wenger thinks

OX Rosicky, Ramsey and Diaby will get there usual dozen games. and forget about Frimpong, Miyachi and the other youth ones you mention, Carling Cup game at best

a busy summer for Arsene, getting rid of Almunia, Squillaci, Vela, Bentdner, Arshavin and Denilson

and bringing hopefully 3 or 4 top players

[SteveO 35]

How about that novel concept of changing the formation and tactics dependant upon the opposition.....surely the 'managerial genius' that is Wenger (quote Red Member) is capable of working in a bit of variation when it comes to lining up at home to Shrewsbury compared with Milan or Barcelona away

Dropped points last season against shit teams at home, who came to the Emirates with no confidence (Sunderland and Blackburn the main examples), were entirely down to playing into their hands by playing a sole striker against packed five man defences

[LDB]

How about that novel concept of changing the formation and tactics dependant upon the opposition.....surely the 'managerial genius' that is Wenger (quote Red Member) is capable of working in a bit of variation when it comes to lining up at home to Shrewsbury compared with Milan or Barcelona away

Dropped points last season against shit teams at home, who came to the Emirates with no confidence (Sunderland and Blackburn the main examples), were entirely down to playing into their hands by playing a sole striker against packed five man defences

True although last season I thought our main problem in those games was a lack of proper width more so then having one striker.

[manninger]

anyone for 4-4-2?

[kite]

and forget about Frimpong, Miyachi and the other youth ones you mention, Carling Cup game at best

To be fair Ryo looks amazing and manages to shine although he plays in a team battling against relegation. Would be a big shame if he could not get some time in the league!