Three ways Arsenal could line up with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.. including the ‘LMAO’ front four
Arsene Wenger must now find a formation that works with his £60m club-record signing
OFF the pitch Arsenal have enjoyed a very positive January.
They saw Alexis Sanchez leave the club, but in landing a couple of big-name signings, Arsene Wenger has managed to completely refresh his attack.
It took a record fee but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is now a Gunner, joining from Borussia Dortmund and teaming up again with Henrikh Mkhitaryan, the creative force behind so many of the striker’s goals in the Bundesliga.
Now comes the difficult part and Arsenal have to find a way to transition success in the transfer market to points on the pitch.
Our friends at Football Whispers look at three ways they could line up against Everton this weekend.
Before the window slammed shut, Arsenal were humiliated, losing 3-1 to Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium.
If anything it showed just how vital the new additions would be, and they will be expected to hit the ground running.
Wenger’s biggest problem is figuring out how to combine Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette, with Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan.
Arsenal now own two excellent centre-forwards and two very intelligent and crafty playmakers. The French coach needs a plan to help all four co-exist at the same time.
The 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth was the last time Wenger used a 3-4-2-1 formation, yet moving to 4-3-3 didn’t fare much better in Wales mid-week. So what should the Frenchman do?
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4-2-3-1
The system is still one of the most commonly used formations in the Premier League due to its versatility. Depending on the forwards and type of players used in the wide areas, it can look and work very differently from team to team.
However, going this way either means Wenger would have to drop one of his big money centre-forwards, or play them out of position.
Both Lacazette and Aubameyang started their careers on the wing, but those days are well in the past.
The Gabon international is likely to get the nod to lead the line while Ozil and Mkhitaryan can play behind. The most important factor in this system, something that’s not been done well all season, is to make sure the creators get up close to their new No.14, rather than leaving him isolated.
Arsenal don’t deliver as many crosses on average as Dortmund, so understanding how their new striker thrives will be key to him being a success.
3-4-2-1
Wenger could resurrect the back three this weekend. Although it doesn’t add any more protection to the defence, it does give Arsenal more options in attack.
Rather than asking either Aubameyang or Lacazette to play wide, the former Lyon man can play behind the main forward, giving him freedom to play through the middle and link up with the Gabonese striker.
The downside would be having to decide between the German and Armenian playmakers.
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4-4-2
Another option would be Wenger turning back the clock and reviving the 4-4-2 of yesterday, which would allow Aubameyang and Lacazette to develop a partnership.
Arsenal don’t have the wingers you would normally see in this formation, but opting for both Ozil and Mkhitaryan in the wide roles and allowing them to play narrow could work.
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The full-backs could provide the width and it would be similar to the system Monaco used to win Ligue 1 last season.
It would be a risk but to regain their place in the top four and bring Champions League football back to the Emirates Stadium, it’s a chance Wenger might have to take.
