Arsenal Football Formation

Starting Lineup

David Raya · William Saliba · Gabriel Magalhães · Jurriën Timber · Federico Dimarco · Declan Rice · Mikel Merino · Martin Ødegaard · Bukayo Saka · Gabriel Martinelli · Kai Havertz

Arsenal plays with an aggressive high press and uses a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup aims to win the ball high up the pitch and use quick transitions to catch opponents out. The Gunners look to dominate games by squeezing the space in the middle and using wide players to stretch the defence. They play a vertical style of football that looks to move the ball forward quickly once possession is regained.

David Raya stays between the posts to command the area and sweep behind the high line. The back five functions as a cohesive unit with Declan Rice playing as the central defender in a trio. William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães act as ball playing defenders to play out from the back. Jurriën Timber operates as the right wing back to provide width, while Federico Dimarco acts as the left wing back to overlap the winger. The defensive unit stays compact to defend zonally and protect the central zone.

The midfield consists of a two man unit with Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino. Martin Ødegaard uses his passing range to create chances and connect the defence to the attack. Mikel Merino helps to shield the defence and wins the second ball to keep pressure on the opposition. They work together to press in a mid-block and ensure the team stays compact when the ball is lost, allowing the team to transition from defence to attack through the middle.

The attacking line features three players with Kai Havertz acting as a lone striker. Kai Havertz works to hold up the ball and link up play between the lines. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli play as wide attackers who cut inside to threaten the goal. Bukayo Saka uses his dribbling to beat his man, while Gabriel Martinelli looks to make runs in behind the defence. The wing backs push high to create wide overloads and deliver crosses to the near post or the far post.

This formation offers Arsenal the ability to press high in coordinated waves. The presence of three central defenders allows the team to remain defensively solid while the wing backs spread wide to stretch the opposition. They also create numerical superiority in the defensive third, making it hard for opponents to find space, and can break quickly on the transition.

This 5-2-3 formation is built for heavy pressing and attacking dominance. It is best suited for games against teams that try to play short from the back.