Arsenal look like they are closing in on the signing of Belgian winger Yannick Carrasco. The 25-year-old would give the squad another wide option, but in what formation would he best fit? I’ve taken a closer look below at how Carrasco could fit into five different systems.
*The player’s around him in the formations below are who I think best fit with the system.
3412
If Ozil, Lacazette and Aubameyang all survive the cull at the club this summer then Emery could opt to stick with a 3-4-1-2. This means Carrasco would probably be utilised as a wing back, as he often is for his country. For me, that would limit his attacking effectiveness, and I would worry about his lack of defensive contribution. But this formation does allow for the trio of Ozil, Aubameyang and Lacazette to play in their best positions. I can see the Gunners remaining in this shape if the club fail to turn over the amount of players they would probably like to this summer.
Leno
Holding Sokratis Koscielny
Bellerin Xhaka Torreira Carrasco
Ozil
Aubameyang Lacazette
433
Emery may look to switch to a 4-3-3 next season as Arsenal look to gain more control of the midfield in vital games. This is probably the formation where Carrasco would fit best. The Belgian would be given more attacking freedom, but to play with a flat back four, the Gunners will probably need to make signings in central defence and at left back in order to allow the attacking players to express themselves. Unai may opt to move to 4-3-3 if the club manage to move on Mesut Ozil this summer, whilst there could be a new arrival in central midfield as in Torreira, Xhaka and Guendouzi, there is a lack of attacking ambition.
Leno
Bellerin Sokratis CB Kolasinac
Torreira Xhaka CM
Aubameyang Lacazette Carrasco
442
Could Arsenal return to the traditional 442? Carrasco’s experience playing as both a wing back and a more advanced winger means he could be a good fit to play as a left midfielder. A 4-4-2 could benefit the likes of Reiss Nelson, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Emile Smith-Rowe, who would fit well as wide midfielders. Like Carrasco, Maitland-Niles has experience of both wing back and winger, Ainsley also has experience as a central midfielder, so the right side of midfield could be the perfect position for him. I think Arsenal would need to replace Ramsey with an energetic box-to-box player to make this formation work. Someone like Thomas Partey could give the team good balance in this role, whilst Torreira could partner former teammate Dennis Praet.
Leno
Bellerin Sokratis CB Monreal
AMN Torreira CM Carrasco
Aubameyang Lacazette
4231
This is a look at how the team could line up if Lacazette is indeed sold to Barcelona or Atletico, as rumours suggest. At previous clubs, Emery has opted to utilise a 4-2-3-1 and this would enable Ozil to continue in the starting eleven. The Gunners would benefit from a new left back in this formation, someone like Kieren Tierney seems a good fit.
Leno
Bellerin Holding Sokratis LB
Torreira Xhaka
Nelson Ozil Carrasco
Aubameyang
343
The Gunners could go from a system with very limited width (3412) to one with width in abundance, a 3-4-3. The Gunners would have serious threats on the wings with Carrasco and Aubameyang combining down the left and Bellerin and perhaps a new winger on the right.
Leno
Holding Sokratis CB
Bellerin Guendouzi Torreira Carrasco
RF Lacazette Aubameyang