Arsenal Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Havertz (Jesus) · Saka (Nwaneri) · Martinelli (Trossard) · Rice (Merino) · Odegaard (Nwaneri (2)) · Timber (White) · Saliba · Gabriel (Kiwior) · Lewis-Skelly (Calafiori) · Raya (Neto) · Partey (Jorginho)

Arsenal prefers to play with a high press and heavy verticality in their 5-2-3 formation. This lineup focuses on winning the ball high up the pitch and moving quickly towards the goal. The team aims to control central areas while using wide players to stretch the opposition.

Raya starts in goal to sweep behind the back line. The defensive unit functions as a back five with Gabriel and Saliba acting as the central pairing. Saliba provides great recovery speed and coverage while Gabriel is dominant in the air. Partey plays as the third centre back to help play out from the back. Lewis-Skelly operates as the left wing back to provide width, while Timber plays as the right wing back to push forward. The unit works to hold a high line and squeeze the space.

The midfield consists of a two man central block. Rice operates as the primary ball winner to shield the defence and win the second ball. Odegaard plays as the creative engine to connect the lines and progress through the thirds. He looks to find the feet of the striker or play through the lines with his passing range. Rice works to intercept play and cover the space left by the wing backs.

Arsenal uses three attackers to pin the opposition back. Havertz acts as a pressing centre forward to harass the defenders and hold up the ball. On the flanks, Saka plays as an inverted winger who cuts inside to find space, while Martinelli uses his pace to run in behind. The wide players often isolate their defenders in one on one situations. The front three work together to press from the front and force long balls.

This formation offers Arsenal the ability to press high in coordinated waves. Using the wing backs allows for wide overloads when Timber and Lewis-Skelly move up the pitch. The central trio of Havertz, Odegaard, and Rice helps to compress the midfield and win the ball back high up the pitch. This creates immediate chances in transition.

This 5-2-3 formation is built for teams that want to dominate through intense pressing and quick vertical transitions. It is best suited for matches against opponents who try to build slowly from the back.