Arsenal will restart their 2020/21 campaign this weekend as the Premier League gets back underway, following the international break. The Gunners are set to face Manchester City in the upcoming fixture as Mikel Arteta once again goes head to head with his mentor Pep Guardiola.
Here, at The 4th Official, we will take a look at three things Arsenal fans must look forward to this weekend.
When Will Arteta Switch To A Back Four?
Mikel Arteta’s 3-4-3 formation has worked like a charm for Arsenal so far. It has given them much more balance defensively while allowing players like Gabriel Magalhaes or David Luiz to become more expressive in the build-up play.
However, as players like Kieran Tierney and Bukayo Saka push for the first-team, Arteta, sooner rather than later, may have to shift back to a more tradition back-four that should allow Tierney to operate in his preferred left-back role.
It should also help Dani Ceballos to feature in a slightly advanced role, with Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka potentially forming the double-pivot. It could, however, ask for better productivity from the central defenders.
Thomas Partey Making His Arsenal Debut
Thomas Partey, without a doubt, was the biggest coup, on the deadline day as he joined Arsenal in a €50 million move from Atletico Madrid. Fans are excited about his arrival, especially given the fact that Arsenal haven’t had a proper defensive midfielder in years.
As far as his availability is concerned, Partey has been involved in the ongoing international break, playing for Ghana. He played in the whole ninety minutes of friendlies against Mali and Qatar, notably registering two assists.
Therefore, we can assume Partey will be in contention to start, in the upcoming game against Manchester City. However, the Ghanaian might not be included in the starting lineup.
Can Arsenal Find Their Creative Rhythm?
One of the biggest weaknesses for Arsenal under the leadership of Arteta is their lack of creative prowess. The club have really struggled to create chances on a consistent basis, often over-relying on counter-attacks and the occasional forays down the flank from wingbacks like Hector Bellerin and Bukayo Saka.
As we discussed earlier, shifting to a four-man backline could be helpful as it can allow Ceballos to become more expressive, in the final third. It could also open up countless tactical possibilities for Arteta, in that vacant number ten role, although it seems Mesut Ozil is unlikely to have future at the club.
The Arsenal hierarchy most definitely have noticed this problem, and it will be interesting to see what steps Arteta takes to address it, once the Premier League gets back underway this weekend.
