Speaking on the Highbury Squad YouTube channel, Kevin Campbell has been discussing Arsenal’s formation and how they can get all of their star players onto the pitch at once.
The Gunners have an incredibly talented young squad at the moment, but unfortunately, it’s almost impossible for Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe to all be on the pitch at the same time as there are only two spots on the wings.
However, Campbell reckons that the Gunners could move to a 4-4-2 once Takehiro Tomiyasu comes back into the side as he would give the Gunners some more defensive stability and he has a good relationship with Bukayo Saka.
What’s been said?
Campbell spoke about a potential formation switch.
“For us to have all of our weapons on the pitch at the same time, do we go to a 4-4-2 like we did earlier this season? It might work out when Tomiyasu comes back,” Campbell said.
“At that moment, do we go 4-3-3 or do we go 4-4-2? If we go 4-4-2 Tierney and Smith Rowe can have that relationship on the left, Saka and Tomiyasu have played on the right as that combination, but what 4-4-2 will allow us to do is to have Martinelli on the shoulder of the last defender while Lacazette plays in the hole. I just wonder whether that would work for us in some of the games.”
Wouldn’t work
As nice as it would be to get Martinelli, Saka and Smith Rowe on the pitch at the same time, a move to a 4-4-2 would potentially sacrifice another player – Martin Odegaard.
The Norwegian has been absolutely exceptional this season as a number 10, but while he could be utilised as a number 8, he would lose a lot of what makes him great in a withdrawn role, and his defensive frailties would be quickly exposed.
Sadly, the Gunners’ best bet is probably to stick with a 4-2-3-1 and rotate Martinelli with Smith Rowe.
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