Thoughts On the 4-3-3

It was a fantastic result against Celtic Tuesday night, and now we approach the first home game of the season this weekend as we host Portsmouth. So before we start looking ahead to Pompey, I thought it might be appropriate to take a closer look at our new 4-3-3 formation and its effectiveness thus far.

Obviously we've gotten two fantastic results from the new formation, but it's worked for a bit longer than that. We first saw the formation in pre-season, and since its implementation we have only one result other than a win, and that was the 2-0 reverse in Valencia. Otherwise, it has overcome Hamburg & Celtic, won us the Emirates Cup, and swept aside a usually difficult Everton. One cannot honestly say it doesn't work. But what is making it work so well?

It seems to be that the reason behind its success is twofold. Firstly, it's the best fit for the players we have. We discovered last season that having only one defensive player and one creative player in centre midfield was no longer strong enough without Flamini. Denilson, as good as the stats showed he was, could not slot in next to Fabregas very effectively. Denilson tends to want to attack, and he doesn't quite have the same presence of body to shield the back four as much as is required.

But now with the 4-3-3 we have three players across the centre of midfield; usually Denilson, Song, and Fabregas. In this formation, Fabregas tends to be the farthest forward, joining the front three in attack and linking the play up. Denilson on the left side of the three can also venture forward, but not quite as much as Fabregas. He tends to move play along nicely, but also get back and defend when we're not in possession. When that happens, the formation then includes effectively two defensive midfielders.

With two players to assist the back four, there is naturally a much better shield in place against opposition attacks, but it wouldn't work without both defensive midfielders being accurate in their tackling and not giving away too many fouls. So far in this respect, Alex Song has been a revelation in the first two competitive matches of the season. He's been strong in the tackle, imposing himself physically, and really does look the part. And regular readers of the blog will know I predicted this one; I knew that Song had what it took to play the role of DM effectively, and with the new 4-3-3 he has been able to show his worth.

So then, the first key to the success of the new formation has been players in better and more effective positions on the pitch. The second reason behind it's success has been more effective defending. And there is nothing that I have seen that has added to our improved defending as much as the pressing game we are now employing.

Tony Mowbray pointed it out in his interviews before the game at Celtic Park, and when asked about it, Arsene Wenger slyly said he didn't want to talk about tactics. That pretty much confirmed that what Mowbray had noticed was true. Arsenal had been working on a new pressing defensive style and had slowly implemented it this pre-season.

And it was clear from the Celtic match what an effect this pressing has. Our players from strikers back were pressuring the player in possession of the ball, forcing him to make mistakes or pass it astray. And if he ventured close enough to the Arsenal man, he was likely to lose possession and be caught out of position as Arsenal broke.

It was remarkably effective at Celtic, who, unlike Everton, were playing with a very physical and aggressive style. Exactly the kind of style that has given us so many problems over the last few years. The way in which we fought back, pressured and won the ball, and dominated the game against such a physical style is hugely encouraging and shows that we may have finally learnt how to handle such teams.

Overall the 4-3-3 has thus far been a success. However, let's not get too carried away. It still has yet to be tested against the very top opposition, but in a week and a half we will have just that test as we visit Old Trafford. It is then that we will find out just how effective or ineffective this new formation really is. But for now, it's working wonders; and I'm hoping it will continue.

Well then, be sure to visit our Twitter and Facebook pages and please follow and fan us; we'd love the support. Also, feel free to leave your comments below; I welcome a good discussion. Till next time then,

Fab 4