2017-18 Squad analysis and Tactics

[Santi]

Imagine buying Fornals and thinking he wouldn't immediately be our best CM

[Cripps]

Ramsey says hi

[Santi]

Surprised he can muster that many letters in 1 go tbh

[MesutOzil11]

Say we do sign Mbappe, Lacazette and Lemar or even two out of the three and we do keep Ozil and Sanchez. Surely we'll be going back to playing 4-2-3-1?

[ESR10]

Say we do sign Mbappe, Lacazette and Lemar or even two out of the three and we do keep Ozil and Sanchez. Surely we'll be going back to playing 4-2-3-1?

If it happened (and we all know it won't), I could see Wenger even going back to 4-1-4-1

-----------------Lacazette
Lemar - Mbappe - Alexis - Özil
--------------------Xhaka

It would be the deadliest attack ever, but also very weak defensively

[Sims]

the only way lemar comes here is if one of alexis/ozil leaves

[CrimsonGunner11]

What are the chances Lemar coming in means Ox going out instead of Ozil/Alexis?

And if this is the case then Wenger is considering using Lemar as a WB or we're going back to a 4-2-3-1 as mo11 pointed out.

[Angelito]

Lemar isn't coming unless one of Alexis or Ozil moves. Why would he want to be a bench player at Arsenal?

We need a CM. After Lacazette, I hope we shift our attention to Keita or Fornals.

[CrimsonGunner11]

^It is possible for him to start if we keep both Alexis and Ozil:

Cech
Bellerin Mustafi Koscielny(c) Kolasinac
Xhaka --- Ramsey
Lemar --- Ozil --- Alexis
Lacazette?

OR
(if Wenger is planning on converting him to a WB?)

Cech
Mustafi Koscielny(c) Monreal
Lemar --- Xhaka --- Ramsey --- Kolasinac
Ozil --- Alexis
Lacazette?

[ESR10]

^It is possible for him to start if we keep both Alexis and Ozil:

Cech
Bellerin Mustafi Koscielny(c) Kolasinac
Xhaka --- Ramsey
Lemar --- Ozil --- Alexis
Lacazette?

OR
(if Wenger is planning on converting him to a WB?)

Cech
Mustafi Koscielny(c) Monreal
Lemar --- Xhaka --- Ramsey --- Kolasinac
Ozil --- Alexis
Lacazette?

we shouldn't be going back to 4-2-3-1 with our current CB and CM options imo.
I'm not that sure, if Lemar is going to be a good RWB. According to Zedie, he has a very near style to Cazorla, so maybe he could play instead of Ramsey. In the best case we buy a proven CM like Nainggolan or Nabi Keita.

[CrimsonGunner11]

^It is possible for him to start if we keep both Alexis and Ozil:

Cech
Bellerin Mustafi Koscielny(c) Kolasinac
Xhaka --- Ramsey
Lemar --- Ozil --- Alexis
Lacazette?

OR
(if Wenger is planning on converting him to a WB?)

Cech
Mustafi Koscielny(c) Monreal
Lemar --- Xhaka --- Ramsey --- Kolasinac
Ozil --- Alexis
Lacazette?

we shouldn't be going back to 4-2-3-1 with our current CB and CM options imo.
I'm not that sure, if Lemar is going to be a good RWB. According to Zedie, he has a very near style to Cazorla, so maybe he could play instead of Ramsey. In the best case we buy a proven CM like Nainggolan or Nabi Keita.

I was trying to imagine how Wenger would use him but I agree we shouldn't be going back to the 4-2-3-1 especially with our CM options. If his playing style is similar to Cazorlas then playing him at CM in a 3-4-2-1 is another option but, unless we are certain that he can play the CM role well, I would also prefer we buy a specialist in that position.

[Sims]

lemar at wing back would be the same as iwobi turning into one

and lemar is also extremely left footed

[CrimsonGunner11]

lemar at wing back would be the same as iwobi turning into one

and lemar is also extremely left footed

Ok, doesn't look like that would work then. So signing Lemar means back to a 4-2-3-1, one of Alexis/Ozil is leaving, or Lemar as a CM

[Sims]

Let's just say we bring in Lacazette & Lemar whilst Alexis and Özil stay.

Personally think we'll revert to 4231 if it does materialise and will be used for most games but got a hunch in tougher games, especially away, we might go back to a 3atb.

Cech
Bellerin - Mustafi - Koscielny - Kolasinac
Xhaka - Ramsey
Alexis - Özil - Lemar
Lacazette

Or even a three man midfield in

Cech
Bellerin - Mustafi - Koscielny - Kolasniac
Xhaka
Ramsey - Lemar
Özil - Lacazette - Alexis

Three at the back becomes a problem because one of Özil or Lemar would miss out but I guess it's a good opportunity to rest one of em

Cech
Koscielny - Mustafi - Nacho
Bellerin/Ox - Xhaka - Ramsey - Kolasinac
Özil - Lacazette - Alexis

Or maybe Arsene thinks Lemar's got what it takes to play in a centre midfield role? Personally can't see it but he was averaging more tackles and interceptions per game than Aaron Ramsey last season.

I think overall they're pretty solid sides. The 4231 should be quality at home against smaller sides which we struggled with last season, and the 3atb sets us up well against the big teams. Would be happy with either

[ESR10]

Let's just say we bring in Lacazette & Lemar whilst Alexis and Özil stay.

Personally think we'll revert to 4231 if it does materialise and will be used for most games but got a hunch in tougher games, especially away, we might go back to a 3atb.

Cech
Bellerin - Mustafi - Koscielny - Kolasinac
Xhaka - Ramsey
Alexis - Özil - Lemar
Lacazette

Or even a three man midfield in

Cech
Bellerin - Mustafi - Koscielny - Kolasniac
Xhaka
Ramsey - Lemar
Özil - Lacazette - Alexis

Three at the back becomes a problem because one of Özil or Lemar would miss out but I guess it's a good opportunity to rest one of em

Cech
Koscielny - Mustafi - Nacho
Bellerin/Ox - Xhaka - Ramsey - Kolasinac
Özil - Lacazette - Alexis

Or maybe Arsene thinks Lemar's got what it takes to play in a centre midfield role? Personally can't see it but he was averaging more tackles and interceptions per game than Aaron Ramsey last season.

I think overall they're pretty solid sides. The 4231 should be quality at home against smaller sides which we struggled with last season, and the 3atb sets us up well against the big teams. Would be happy with either

Do you prefer reverting back to 4-2-3-1 or do you think that Wenger will do it with signing Lemar and Lacazette?
Personally I don't want to see Ramsey and Xhaka as partners without an extra CB or CM to protect them. They were much better with 3 CB's. Ramsey had his freedom. Xhaka always had protection and began to play more comfortably.
I'd want to sign one of Laca/Lemar and the second incoming player should be a CM imo.
We have plenty of CM options, but most of them are average or have too big flaws/are one dimensional. One more complete Cm is needed.