Arsene Wenger confirms Arsenal will begin 2017/18 season with 3-4-2-1 formation.
Arsene Wenger has revealed that Arsenal will alternate between tactical systems during pre-season.
Widely renowned for playing with a back four since his arrival in English football over two decades ago, the Frenchman sprung a surprise on many when he opted to switch to a 3-4-2-1 formation towards the end of last season.
Following a 3-0 loss at the hands of Crystal Palace in April, the change in formation helped breathe new life into the Gunners as – despite missing out on Champions League qualification – they won seven of their final eight Premier League games and beat champions Chelsea in the FA Cup final.
The upturn in result following the switch has left question marks as to what Wenger will do with his system once the 2017/18 campaign gets underway in less than a month’s time.
Speaking to the media ahead of his side’s first pre-season clash against Sydney tomorrow morning, Wenger hinted at being flexible with his tactics during this summer’s preparations.
“I am open to getting some more signings, but it’s not easy to find the players who can strengthen our squad as we have top-quality players,” he said, as reported by the Daily Mirror.
“There are two ways to improve. First, we analyse what we did well and not so well and we improve on that. The second way is to bring some new players in.
“We’ll test many systems in pre-season. In some games we will play four at the back and some with three and at the start of the season certainly with three.
“I believe the new signings can integrate well. One is a defender who can play flanks and central. One is a striker with very good goal-scoring record. I believe they are great additions.”
For the tour of Asia, at least, it would appear that the Gunners will line-up in a back three as Wenger has opted to leave recognised right-backs in Mathieu Debuchy and Carl Jenkinsion in the UK, while Hector Bellerin has been given extra-time off following his excursions at the U21 European Championships.
There will be plenty of opportunities for the Frenchman to deploy either of his tactics as the north London outfit have as many as six pre-season friendlies to negotiate, including games against Bayern Munich, Sevilla and Benfica.
Widely renowned for playing with a back four since his arrival in English football over two decades ago, the Frenchman sprung a surprise on many when he opted to switch to a 3-4-2-1 formation towards the end of last season.
Following a 3-0 loss at the hands of Crystal Palace in April, the change in formation helped breathe new life into the Gunners as – despite missing out on Champions League qualification – they won seven of their final eight Premier League games and beat champions Chelsea in the FA Cup final.
The upturn in result following the switch has left question marks as to what Wenger will do with his system once the 2017/18 campaign gets underway in less than a month’s time.
Speaking to the media ahead of his side’s first pre-season clash against Sydney tomorrow morning, Wenger hinted at being flexible with his tactics during this summer’s preparations.
“I am open to getting some more signings, but it’s not easy to find the players who can strengthen our squad as we have top-quality players,” he said, as reported by the Daily Mirror.
“There are two ways to improve. First, we analyse what we did well and not so well and we improve on that. The second way is to bring some new players in.
“We’ll test many systems in pre-season. In some games we will play four at the back and some with three and at the start of the season certainly with three.
“I believe the new signings can integrate well. One is a defender who can play flanks and central. One is a striker with very good goal-scoring record. I believe they are great additions.”
For the tour of Asia, at least, it would appear that the Gunners will line-up in a back three as Wenger has opted to leave recognised right-backs in Mathieu Debuchy and Carl Jenkinsion in the UK, while Hector Bellerin has been given extra-time off following his excursions at the U21 European Championships.
There will be plenty of opportunities for the Frenchman to deploy either of his tactics as the north London outfit have as many as six pre-season friendlies to negotiate, including games against Bayern Munich, Sevilla and Benfica.
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