Emirates " data-image-caption data-medium-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Emirates-780x585.jpeg" data-large-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Emirates-1200x900.jpeg" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-49394" src="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Emirates-780x585.jpeg" alt="Emirates" width="780" height="585" srcset="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Emirates-780x585.jpeg 780w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Emirates-1200x900.jpeg 1200w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Emirates-200x150.jpeg 200w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Emirates-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Emirates-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Emirates-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px">
If rumours are to be believed, the holy trinity of Arteta, Josh K and Berta are in for no less than three attacking players this summer. A left winger, a central attacking midfielder and a striker are on the list.
For arguments sake, let’s call them Rodrygo, Eze and Gyokeres.
Now bear in mind that we aready have Ødegaard, Saka, Kai, Martinelli, Trossard, Nwaneri and in a couple of months, Jesus, (@Invinciblog would remind me that Merino can play up top too and he’d be right). That’s an awful lot of attacking talent, not just for Arteta to keep happy, but to take minutes in every competition. We may lose one or two to a sale, however well still have lot of attackers on the books.
Scenario
Now consider this scenario:
We’re level at 1-1 in a League game v Fulham at home. It’s the 60th minute. Our starting front 4 of Ødegaard, Saka, Rodrygo and Gyokeres still look sharp, so Arteta decides to bring on another player. Zubimendi is replaced by Eze, with Rice dropping to holding midfield.
15 minutes later it’s still 1-1. We’ve had a goal ruled out after a lengthy VAR check for a possible handball that no-one can see except someone at Stockley Park.
Arteta throws on Kai to play alongside Gyokeres and withdraws MLS. Our backline in now Big Gabi, Saliba and White with Rice patrolling in front of them.
Eze scores a screamer from outside the box to make it 2-1, before Gyokeres finds the net with a header that VAR try to rule out but can’t.
3-1 final score and food for thought for Mikel Arteta.
The point of all this?
If we do indeed buy three attackers and I sincerely hope that we do, (I don’t think we win anything without at least a striker), then surely there will come a time when we deploy a back 3.
This wouldn’t be just to keep players happy, but as a genuine option in games where the opposition game plan is to frustrate and hope for a clean sheet, (or only trying to counter in the last 10 minutes of the game for a smash and grab).
Realistically our biggest problem last season in attack was injury. Our magic triangle right side of White-Odegaard-Saka barely played any minutes together. With no-one else to call on we were heavily blunted by resolute defences. The proof of this can be found in our ‘Goals For’ column on the 24/25 League table. With three signings, a similar injury record won’t mean a catastrophic season. With everyone fit, it can mean the most potent attack since the Invincibles.
Not 3 at the back, but 6 in attack
Perhaps a better way to frame this isn’t that we’ll be playing a back 3, because the usual implication here would be 3 centre backs and two wing backs. I believe that if Arteta deploys a back three, there won’t be wing backs, it’ll be an out and out front 6, with Rice holding.
Line-up " data-image-caption data-medium-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Line-up-491x780.jpeg" data-large-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Line-up-755x1200.jpeg" class="aligncenter wp-image-49395 lazyload" alt="Line-up" width="400" height="636" data-sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" src="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Line-up-491x780.jpeg" srcset="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Line-up-491x780.jpeg 491w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Line-up-755x1200.jpeg 755w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Line-up-126x200.jpeg 126w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Line-up-768x1221.jpeg 768w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Line-up-966x1536.jpeg 966w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Line-up.jpeg 1179w">
When we play teams that employ a deep block, (the kind that smash and grab a 0.2xG goal) Gabriel and Saliba play on the halfway line. Even if we were to lose possession, our players would be pressuring the opposition and cutting off passing lines. There would be risk involved, but big risk often equals big reward.
Controversial
A slightly controversial take here is that this front 6 wouldn’t be looking for set pieces.
They’d be inclined to keep the ball in play for a long as possible. A massive drawback to our set piece potency is that we take a long time to set up, giving the opposition a chance to breathe. Our front 6 would be looking to maintain pressure, make the opposition tire and punish them for any lapse in concentration.
I’m aware that proposing a back three system without MLS and Timber at wing back may also be controversial, however hopefully by now you can see why in a deep block/1-1 draw situation this wouldn’t be the case. Neither are known for their crossing and I would also point out that whilst Kai is good in the air (Gyokeres too), slinging crosses into the box isn’t Plan A or B.
Ultimately, I think that if we do get all of our targets (whomever they may be) we’ll have a level of flexibility that we simply haven’t had for a long while and we as fans should be very excited about it. Fingers crossed and over to you Berta.
David Glicksman
I’m a lifelong Arsenal fan. I got my first kit at 3 years old and my dad put a nail in my wall and hung it there rather than in my wardrobe. Mum was furious.
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