Arsenal Football Formation

Starting Lineup

22. Raya
02. Saliba
06. Gabriel
12. Timber
33. Calafiori
05. Thomas Partey
08. Ødegaard
41. Declan Rice
07. Bukayo Saka
11. Gabriel Martinelli
29. Kai Havertz

Arsenal plays with a high press and a vertical identity using a 5-2-3 formation. The Gunners look to win the ball back high up the pitch and move the ball quickly toward the goal. This lineup is built to control large spaces and use wide areas to stretch the defence.

Raya sits between the posts to command his area. The defensive unit uses a back five with Saliba and Gabriel acting as the central pair. Saliba shows great composure when playing out from the back, while Gabriel provides significant aerial strength. Thomas Partey occupies the middle spot of the back three to act as a ball playing defender who can step into midfield to help progress the ball. Timber operates as an attacking wing back on the right, and Calafiori plays as the left wing back. Both Timber and Calafiori push high to provide width and support the attack.

The midfield works as a two man unit consisting of Declan Rice and Ødegaard. Declan Rice sits deeper to shield the defence and intercept passes. Ødegaard acts as the main playmaker who moves between the lines to find the forwards. They connect the back five to the front three by moving the ball through the middle. Declan Rice also works to win the second ball in the middle of the pitch to keep the pressure on.

Arsenal uses three attackers across the front line. Kai Havertz plays as a lone striker who can hold up the ball and link up play with the midfielders. Bukayo Saka stays wide on the right and often cuts inside to create chances with his dribbling. Gabriel Martinelli plays on the left and uses his pace to run in behind the defence. The forwards press the opposition back line to force a long ball and win possession high up the pitch.

This formation provides wide overloads when Timber and Calafiori push forward to overlap the wingers. The team can also press high in coordinated waves to win the ball back quickly. The presence of Thomas Partey in the back line allows for compactness when defending in a mid block.

This 5-2-3 lineup is a powerful way for Arsenal to dominate possession and attack with width. It is best suited for facing teams that defend in a low block and require breaking down a compact unit.