After an initial stutter against two of the best sides in England, Arsenal have recovered brilliantly. Unai Emery’s men have won all eleven games ever since and have begun to build their case as title contenders.

Thanks to some astute business in the summer transfer window, the Gunners are now a well drilled unit of experience and youth. With all the new signings impressing and some of the existing players enhancing their game tactically and technically, Arsenal could not have asked for a better recovery.

We examine this new look of the London-based club and attempt to determine the sustainability of Emery’s tactics at Arsenal.

Build from the back

With top teams such as Liverpool and Chelsea following Manchester City and opting for a keeper who is good with his feet, Arsenal were not to be left behind. Bernd Leno starts the move as the Gunners build from the back and move the ball around patiently.

In Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira, Arsenal have found a stable double pivot who prioritise providing cover and keeping possession over attempting risky passes and advancing to higher positions on the pitch. This system has brought the best out of the Swiss international who was usually isolated when his partner in midfield Aaron Ramsey was allowed the freedom to get into the opposition box last season. The two players have been key to Arsenal gaining control over the neutral zone.

Wide overloads

Arsenal start slow in a 4-2-3-1 formation which slowly transforms into a 2-4-4 as they synchronise into the tempo of the game and start dictating the same. The fullbacks push forward and provide width in attack while the forwards tuck into the half-spaces, often disrupting the opposition’s defensive shape.

Hector Bellerin has shown significant improvements in the offensive aspects of his game. Arsenal have produced about 11 crosses every game and the fullbacks have been crucial to their attack.

However, the decision to incorporate fullbacks into attacks comes at a defensive cost. Arsenal have conceded 94 shots from open-play which is just one less than the number of shots the team has taken from open play. For a team like Arsenal who set the pace of the play, stats like these expose the flaws in defense. Arsenal’s defensive and midfield lines are narrow, preventing the ball from being played across. But a quick counter attack can spell doom for such a defensive setup.

Versatility and Sustainability

Arsenal haven’t been challenged by a top team in their 11-match winning streak and this does raise questions on the effectiveness and sustainability of the system. Also, the fact that the Gunners have scored 66 percent (14 goals) of their goals in the second half is a testimony to the fact that the team does not start off well. However, Emery has exhibited the versatility of his tactics and shown us why this can be sustained.
Fulham started in a 3-4-3 (flat) formation against the Gunners with the wide midfielders Cyrus Christie and Ryan Sessegnon looking to suffocate Arsenal’s fullbacks and prevent them from going forward. Emery tweaked his lineup a bit and constructed a 4-4-2 formation specially for this game. This season’s revelation Alex Iwobi and Henrikh Mkhitaryan played as wide midfielders to provide support to the fullbacks. Alexandre Lacazette and later Aubameyang tore Fulham’s compact defense apart and the game ended 5-1 in Arsenal’s favour. This display also opened the possibilities of a 4-4-2 formation headed by Lacazette and Aubameyang when needed.

Unlike Arsene Wenger, Emery isn’t stubborn with his system and can attend to the need of the hour. The Spaniard’s vision with the team is long term and his system appear to be sustainable.