Arsenal fans have called for Mikel Arteta to buck up his ideas after a string of poor results. Back-to-back defeats against Crystal Palace and Brighton have seriously hampered the Gunners' chances of a top-four finish.
Arteta was spared the blame for the defeat at Selhurst Park, but the defeat at the Emirates against the Seagulls was a different story. Fans questioned the Spaniard for the way he set up his team, as his side lacked any intent in the attack, and looked leaky in defence.
The Arsenal boss’ next team selection away to Southampton will be key. football.london discusses whether Arteta should revert to three centre-backs or maintain his four defence formation.
READ MORE: Mikel Arteta loses biggest key Arsenal asset after Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney injuries
Tom Canton - The Arsenal Way Writer/Presenter
If anything, the switch to a back three means that Granit Xhaka surely cannot be selected as a wing-back? Can he? Perhaps my naivety at what Mikel Arteta’s team selection is capable of is greater than I first thought.
Yet, what a switch to a defensive three would do is give Arsenal their foundation back. One which was lost with the injuries to Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey. Three key pillars of the defensive improvement that has contributed to the clean sheet tally accumulated this season.
Tactically it was a huge hit not having a fullback who is willing to remain more disciplined. In both games against Crystal Palace and Brighton, Nuno Tavares and Granit Xhaka were caught high, Gabriel Magalhaes was left isolated, and Arsenal conceded. Bringing Rob Holding in will push Gabriel wider and allow greater insurance should the wing-back be exposed in transition.
The switch also gives Tavares the security to excel in what he does best, attacking. Most importantly though it moves Xhaka back into the midfield. Additionally, it enables Albert Sambi Lokonga to play the more progressive style he can confidently thrive in over the lone pivot role he struggled in on Saturday.
Overlapping full-backs with greater emphasis on their responsibility in the final third will hopefully reinvigorate Bukayo Saka and either Emile Smith-Rowe or Gabriel Martinelli. Arsenal need to take back control and the system that took them to an FA Cup might be the contingency to save their season.
Kaya Kaynak - Arsenal Writer
Mikel Arteta has said that the 4-3-3 is his preferred formation and in fairness to him since switching to it in December Arsenal have played some of their best attacking football averaging 1.6 goals per game in the 15 Premier League matches since the change as opposed to 1.14 in the 14 games prior.
However, one thing the Spaniard has always been big on is the specificity required to play that style of football. With the injuries to Kieran Tierney, Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu the Gunners no longer have that, and as a result, I think it's time to switch to a 4-2-3-1.
This would see Nuno Tavares return to the side and Granit Xhaka moved back to midfield in a double pivot with Albert Sambi Lokonga. Cedric would now be the more withdrawn inverted full-back role which he is more capable of playing than Tavares meaning that Arteta's preferred 2-3-5 set-up in formation can be maintained.
Yes, it would represent something of a step backwards as Arteta seeks to evolve his side into one capable of challenging with Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea, but if Arsenal don't qualify for the Champions League then it's difficult to see them being capable of doing that any time soon. With the players available the 4-3-3 doesn't work, and while it's not perfect, I think it's time to turn back to the 4-2-3-1 of yesteryear.
Bailey Keogh - The Arsenal Way Writer/Presenter
Arsenal must stick with four defenders and not completely switch to a system with three defenders. Granted, the last two matches have had dire performances, but that was more down to the personnel selected, rather than the system in place.
Mikel Arteta should opt for a 4-2-3-1 formation with Albert Sambi Lokonga in a pivot alongside Granit Xhaka. Sambi Lokonga becomes extremely isolated when he is used as the sole anchorman. But having Xhaka alongside him will add the needed experience in the middle of the park.
Nuno Tavares can be used as a left-back in this formation not only will he receive defensive support from Gabriel Martinelli, but also from Xhaka. The 29-year-old can drift across to offer an inside buffer and will not leave the midfield exposed as Sambi Lokonga can also shuffle across.
The front four of the 4-2-3-1 formation should be given more attacking freedom. The emphasis on defending is less due to the defensive midfield pivot, which should help Arsenal end their poor goalscoring form of two Premier League goals in four games.
Completely changing the system during the final stretch of the season is a risky move. Four at the back has proven to work when Sambi Lokonga and Tavares were regulars in the team earlier in the campaign, so Arteta must have faith in his preferred system.
Should Arsenal change formation? Please tell us what you think in the comments below to get involved in the debate!
