It is very difficult to say that Arsenal’s poor run of form, since their win at Ludogorets, was solely due to Hector Bellerin’s injury, but it is unquestionable that his absence has had quite an impact on the Gunners’ attacking flair. It has really taken out the sting from them.
To make matters worse, Arsene Wenger failed to replace the player effectively. It seemed like his only option was to play Carl Jenkinson in the Spaniard’s position. And Jenkinson has been atrocious in his defending and out of touch for long.
The right flank was penetrated way too easily by Anthony Martial and Lucas Moura in the team’s last two games. The fact that Arsenal escaped both the matches without a defeat is quite unbelievable.
Now, since Bellerin is out until early December and Arsenal play Bournemouth, West Ham United and Stoke City in that period and even Manchester City if the Spaniard takes an extended time in returning to full game fitness, playing Jenkinson in these matches will be walking on thin ice. Arsenal cannot afford to drop points in their next 3 games if they want to challenge for the title this season.
Hence, I have come up with another formation (quite familiar), which could add another attacking dimension to this Gunners side. It’s three at the back. Bellerin’s injury could actually be a boon for the team. The primary objective of 3 defenders at the back is to liberate your best players up front, which Chelsea and Wales’ national team have so successfully implemented in the last six months or so.
Arsenal could also unshackle the likes of Sanchez, Ozil, Ramsey and Walcott/ Oxlade-Chamberlain in a similar manner. The back three would be Monreal (LCB), Koscielny (CB) and Shkodran Mustafi (RCB). Jenkinson doesn’t fit the current style of play. One huge adavantage of a 3-man defence is its flexibility. It could be changed to four or even five at the back with relative ease.
The quintessential area of this formation is the widening midfield. The whole trick lies here. Chelsea have had quite a revelation in Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso on the flanks and Arsenal also have players who could play the role. They are Kieran Gibbs and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Oxlade-Chamberlain was deployed in the right-back position against PSG and United, and we saw he could be influential. Theo Walcott has upped his defensive attributes this season, but he still can’t be as effective as Chamberlain when defending is concerned. Aaron Ramsey and Francis Coquelin will take their pivotal role as they provide a defensive and offensive balance.
Now, the main pieces of the puzzle, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil. They are the two players who could inflict maximum damage to opponent’s defence and they get the maximum area in the attacking third to ply their trade.
Having Olivier Giroud up front helps two ways. He could work as a wall for Sanchez and Ozil to play a one-two and his aerial dominance remains intact with Gibbs and Chamberlain on the flanks providing crosses at every opportunity.
