Arsene Wenger says losing Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel for the FA Cup Final highlights the unpredictability of football and admits he’ll spend the next few days deciding whether or not to stick with a 3-4-3 formation.
The Gunners have found defensive stability deploying three centre-backs in the last two months, however, heading into Saturday’s showpiece final at Wembley without two key men and with Shkodran Mustafi also a doubt, the boss admits he’s got something of a headache.
“It just shows you how unpredictable football can be,” Wenger told press at London Colney on Wednesday.
“We played at home where your mind is on attacking and on the day we lost two centre-backs. It’s absolutely unbelievable and unpredictable.
“We are hit hard in a position where we need to be strong on Saturday. We’ll have to find solutions, hopefully I will find a good solution.”
Asked whether the shortage of centre-backs could force him to give up on the 3-4-3 system which has worked so well in the last two months, Wenger added:
“I have to decide that [I have] until Saturday. We’ll test that in training until Saturday.”
Obviously, much will depend on whether Mustafi, who is still ill after suffering a concussion against Sunderland, is available.
“I don’t know,” was Wenger’s response when asked for a prognosis. “I have to listen to the medical people.”
If the Germany international doesn’t recover in time, the boss could field Nacho Monreal alongside Rob Holding and Per Mertesacker in a three with Kieran Gibbs as a left wing-back. Alternatively, he could resort to a back four with Holding partnered by either Monreal or Mertesacker in the centre.
Food for thought.
I’ve probably never felt so strongly about our formation. I get why we couldn’t continue to use it when were down to 10 but gosh we looked shaky with four at the back against Everton. I sincerely hope the 3-4-3 (or 3-4-2-1 or whatever) makes a return this weekend, with Monreal, Mertersacker and Holding. Or Mustafi if he’s fit #343in
I agree Adam E. It’ll be interesting to see how it plays against the behemoths of such a formation. Could come down to a Hazard vs Ozil and Costa vs Sanchez battle as to who can provide the moments of class to break down this defensively sturdy formation. Here’s to a few more Cahill back passes… And perhaps a farewell Diaby-esque Terry-trembler.
Dude, that is in my top three John Terry memories. Good times. I would be just fine with someone (accidentally) booting Marcos Alonso’s head off in reciprocation for his assault on Hector earlier this year.
“The Karmic John Terry box set” – for all those times when JT get’s his just rewards. Now that’s a box set I could get along with.
Maybe we could use the Ox on the left this time, and Bellerin on the right… Both as a wing back in the 3-4-3 formation (and the rest is the “usual”: Xhaka, Ramsey in the middle and Welbeck, Alexis, Özil up front)
I had thought that.
Makes sense
You know why Arsene wouldn’t use that and I could completely understand too : We will have no width on the left wing, Ox will cut inside as he’s so one-footed and so will Alexis or Welbeck or whoever plays ahead. So we either play Monreal as the wingback or Gibbs or play them as left back in a back 4, but it won’t be ox on the left. And we are not playing 3-4-3, it is effectively 5-2-2-1 with two attacking wingbacks. If I can read our cautious manager’s mind, he will play Bellerin-Holding-Mustafi(will recover miraculously, mind)-Monreal-Gibbs at the… Read more »
I don’t know how the loan & squad rules apply for the cup, but can’t we play Calum Chambers at centre back – now that his premier league loan season is over at borough??
Another left of field option would be to play the forgotten Debuchy as the right sided centre half alongside Mustafi & Holding or Holding & Monreal in case Mustafi isn’t fit. I doubt Per will be played after having sat the whole season out.
No – he’s cup-ted
I only gibbs was playing against Everton – could’ve been sent off instead of Kos
Why no update on Alexis?
he’s still alive, hence he’s playing………..
Shhhh,… the football gods might be listening.
Play as many CBs as available (if 2, then 2), play the good left back at left back, the good right back at right back and the best goalie in goal. It’s so unexpected, Chelsea with be all like “whaaaaaaaaaaa??!”
Also whoever the striker is, tell him to score goals.
Really hope Mustafi makes it. Not sure about BFG, coz it is one thing doing okay against an Everton team which had absolutely nothing to play for and completely different doing it against the PL champions in a FA cup final with Hazard and Costa coming at you.
In case we have no other option but to play him, I’d like to see extra protection in the form of Le Coq.
why cant we play someone like coq in the three man defence or atleast any young player like ben sheaf . if theres a lack of centrebacks in the squad , then coq is the best possible candidate to play that role. its a big risk , but playing with just two centre backs is also a risk especially when we consider that both per and holding are not really quick. then we can play monreal as wingback who is a lot better option than gibbs. it depends on what wenger considers a risk , changing his formation or changing… Read more »
Coq as a CB will cause a penalty or get a red. Also he doesn’t have the positional discipline of a CB. However I want him in the middle to bully Kante and Cesc or whoever.
I meant Coq in midfield, just to be clear.
We should stick with a back 3. A back 3 suits Per greatly. His composure and calmness would help alongside Mustafi(if he makes it), Holding and Nacho. Still don’t think we’ll win..I hope we do.
We need to stick with the back 3,especially considering that we need to counter the opponent who will be playing a similar formation.
Also back 3 gives us extra defensive solidity which will be really important in a game of this magnitude.
Monreal, Mertesacker and Holding at the back should make sense. Bellerin and Gibbs can always help from wings. Will be interesting to see if Gibbs can handle Victor Moses. My worry is what happens in the middle. Do we use Xhaka/Coq or go with Xhaka/Ramsey,
As much as I love Per I just can’t see him as the center defender in a three man back line especially with so little game time this year. I would stick with four in the back and go with Holding and Per with Monreal and Bellerin on the wings.
Is it an option to play Bellerin, Per, Holding? Monreal is so good on the left… Chamberlain in front of Bellerin?
If not then I guess its Monreal in the back 3 with Gibbs on the left.
4-4-2
Bellerin Holding Mustafi/Per Gibbs
Ox Xhaka Ramsey Monreal
Ozil
Alexis
Personally, i don’t think we have a chance without the 3-man rear guard.
It is the most solid we’ve been for years.. I would stick with it and make some special plans for Hazard.
Are we forgetting that we have debuchy? He could slot in on the right side of the three