Before Arsenal's 3-1 Manchester United match, it can be said that the quick-acting heart-saving pills of Gun fans are out of stock. In particular, two full-backs, Tavares and Cedric, are missing the three main players Of Thomas, Fuan and Tierney, and Ramsdale's form in April has also declined. On the whole, Arsenal's defense gives people the feeling of "instability" and "panic".
In these two games Arsenal have been strong opponents, the last game has sacrificed a three-centre-back system, and this one against Manchester United, Arsenal also formed a three-centre-back on Holden after locking in the victory. The thinking that arises from this is that at the time of the current offensive and defensive conversion in the Premier League, the two centre-backs of the vast majority of teams are not enough to cover the width of the back line, and at least three defender players with defense as the main feature are needed. For example, Arsenal's Fu'an, Ben Bai and Gabu.
While VS Manchester United, Arsenal use 4 defenders, Cedric and Tavares all fall in offensive attributes over defensive attributes. Although Cedric did not over-insert many times, the problem of insufficient defensive ability of individual soldiers was amplified by Sancho. For most of the season, Arsenal have adopted a lineup of three and a half defenders, With Fuan not plugging in too much, adding in to help the defense, while better individual defensive ability and air defense ability can cover the right side of the defense very well, so that Ben Bai and Gabe do not need too much to defend this side.
Looking back at the main formations of the top 8 teams in the Premier League:
City also mainly use a three-and-a-half-back strategy, and the key player here is Kel walker.
Chelsea, Tottenham Andttenham and Wolves all use a three-centre-back system, which meets the need for three defenders to cover the width of this article.
West Ham United is a representative of the remaining teams in the Premier League, although the use of four defenders, two full-backs have good offensive attributes, but in the face of strong teams, most of them are based on the strategy of defensive reaction, compressing the defensive line, and more often ensuring that all four defenders are in a defensive position.
Liverpool are a special case, Arnold and Robertson's ability to insert assists is super strong, Arnold will also become a weakness in the attack of other teams, but Van Dijk and Alisson's stable defense, the Reds' strong offensive firepower and high pressing still make up for the shortcomings.
Finally speaking of Manchester United, many of United's dilemmas this season are bilateral guard problems, Wan Bissaka's state of the cliff decline, Dalot's defensive weaknesses, Luke Shaw / Tress are all players with assists and fast speed. When both sides were pierced, the two centre-backs were unable to cover this large area, resulting in more goals conceded.
Based on this, the gunners who are about to face a four-life battle on the field, Fu'an's timely comeback is too important! It can greatly liberate Ben White's defensive pressure.
In the absence of Fuan, if you want to satisfy three players with center-back attributes, you can only send Holderin, but Holder can only be the player in the center of the three center-backs, and can provide fewer moves. And Salibba, who can play at centre-back, right-back and right-back, offers more squad options.
It is conceivable that next season Arsenal's back line will have two full-time centre-backs, Ben White and Gabe, as well as two Fuan Kenyang and Tierney, who have experience in the national team, and then replace the all-rounder Salibba. The most exciting part of this defense is that they are all young, all under 25 years old, and there is still a lot of potential to be tapped!