For more than a decade now, teams that play possession-based attacking football have adopted the 4-3-3 formation. This setup is widely regarded as progressive and considered to help the team penetrate opposition defense. In his early days as an Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta deployed the 4-3-3 but later incorporated the 3-4-3, which worked wonders for him.
Many fans credited the new formation for the club’s FA Cup triumph in 2020. This setup gave the Gunners defensive stability against quality oppositions. The addition of an extra center-back helped to create a solidified defensive structure. This made them cope against sustained pressure without conceding goals.
The wing-backs play a significant role in this setup. The added security of an extra center-back enables the wing-back to push further forward. This was pretty evident when Arteta used Bukayo Saka as the wing-back during the latter stages of the 2019/20 season. Saka often found pockets of space in between the defenders before delivering teasing crosses for the forwards.
Another factor for the success of this formation was the presence of a midfield pivot. This was essentially a pairing of two holding midfielders. Apart from providing brilliant cover for the defenders, they also filled in as wide center-backs.
Granit Xhaka played a crucial role in this pivot. When Kieran Tierney bursts forward during an attack, Xhaka stays backs and moved to the right, covering the space left open by Tierney. This maintained a solid defensive shape, even if a counter-attack threatened them.
Arteta emphasizes on playing out from the back. Since there are more players at the back, keeping possession of the ball without succumbing to the opposition press becomes an easier task. If the Gunners manage to break the press, they can exploit the electrifying pace of the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe with an accurate through ball over the top.
This system also makes the team unpredictable. While defending, they maintain an almost flat back-five, making it difficult for the opposition to penetrate them. After recovering possession, they instantly switch from a setup with three center-backs to a back-four. This smart move provides more width in the attacking front, making the defending team vulnerable to a quick counter-attack.
Despite the success this formation has brought, there is a debate over whether it can be used in the long run. Arsenal had a noticeable deterioration in creativity, especially against teams that defended deep in their own half. In addition, there are question marks over whether the club has a center forward that fits the system. It is also difficult to dominate an entire game with a two-man midfield.
The 4-3-3 formation enables Arteta to play expansive and beautiful football. However, the Spaniard requires competent personnel for it to be implemented successfully. Unless Arsenal brings in quality reinforcements this transfer window, reverting to 3-4-3 can only do more good than harm.
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