Mikel Arteta's clever method behind Arsenal tinkering despite Gary Neville blast
Mikel Arteta faces a genuine test of Arsenal’s credentials this weekend.
The showdown with Manchester United at the Emirates on Sunday should provide some clues about where both teams are heading this season. United boss Erik ten Hag was hoping to build on last year’s progress but so far no-one is quite sure what the campaign will have in store with more questions than answers.
But for Arsenal boss Arteta, there is an even bigger guessing game going on when it comes to his line-up, formation and tactics. Gary Neville has accused Arteta of tinkering too much with his tactics as the Sky pundit echoed the views of many fans by urging the Spaniard to “go back to basics.”
Arteta has experimented with Thomas Partey at right back, used a back three, tried to squeeze Kai Havertz into an unbalanced-looking midfield and moved his defenders all over the place. Arsenal have still produced two wins and a draw - taking maximum points against Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace and being held at home by Fulham - but the performances have hardly been convincing.
If Arsenal had set out to send a message of intent to champions Manchester City for this season’s title race, then it probably has not had the desired effect. However, there is a genuine method to the madness and Arteta’s tinkering was always a plan to make sure that his players are ready for the challenges of an even tougher season.
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And in fact, Arsenal’s stats compare very favourably to last season when the perception was that they got off to a flier as they won their opening five games. Compared to last season, Arsenal have had more shots in their first three games, more possession and more expected goals.
Mikel Arteta has tinkered with his Arsenal line-up this season (The FA via Getty Images)But they were only stopped from taking maximum points by two basic individual errors against Fulham to hand the visitors a share of the spoils. Arteta’s thinking, however, is clear despite his rather muddled-looking tactics. He wants his players to be more adaptable, more flexible and be more open to changing tactics.
Part of the plan is to ensure that opponents do not know how Arsenal will line up when they get off the bus before a game. Last season, Arsenal’s title challenge was built on a solid, settled team in a 4-2-3-1 system which served them brilliantly.
But when one of the key components - William Saliba - got injured in the run-in, Arsenal struggled to cope. They had no direct replacement, Arteta was reluctant to reshuffle and they paid a heavy price. Arteta probably looked at the opening three games and thought it gave them an opportunity to experiment while still getting results. It could be seen as a calculated gamble.
It is all about giving players “game intelligence” and experience of playing in a different system and in different positions that they cannot get in training sessions. Partey as an inverted right back, Saliba on the left of central defence, Declan Rice in different roles in midfield and experimenting with a back three against teams who set up to defend.
It is hard to believe Arteta has not explained his thinking to Brazil defender Gabriel who has gone from being a defensive mainstay last season to starting the first three games on the bench this time. It is about fresh ideas when it comes to breaking down that low block when opponents sit deep which is another key reason. Havertz has yet to produce his best performances, but his creativity and game intelligence could be crucial. He just needs time and patience.
Furthermore, Arsenal are back in the Champions League this season. They will face more games, harder tests and Arteta needs his players to be more familiar with different tactics.
That is why Arteta has experimented now, although Arsenal are likely to get back to a more familiar line-up against United who will not just come to the Emirates to defend. Either way, Arteta will believe his early season experiments can reap benefits in the longer term.
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