Arsenal Football Formation

Starting Lineup

(GK) D.Raya (Kepa.A) · (LB) A.Davies (R.Calafiori) · (CB) Gabriel.M (J.Kiwior) · (CB) W.Saliba (C.Mosquera) · (RB) J.Timber (B.White) · (DM) M.Zubimendi (D.Rice) · (AM/CM) E.Eze (M.Lewis-Skelly) · (AM) M.Ødegaard (E.Nwaneri) · (LW) G.Martinelli (A.Gordon) · (CF) V.Gyökeres (K.Havertz) · (RW) B.Saka (N.Madueke)

Arsenal aims to dominate through a high press and quick verticality using a 5-2-3. This formation is built to squeeze the pitch and win the ball back high up the pitch to catch the opposition in transition. The lineup relies on extreme width and aggressive pressing to control the tempo of the game.

David Raya plays between the posts to start the build up from the back. The defensive line operates as a back three with M.Zubimendi acting as the central man to sweep behind the line. William Saliba plays as the right centre back and uses his recovery speed to cover large spaces, while Gabriel Magalhães provides aerial strength and dominance on the left. Jurrien Timber functions as a right wing back to provide width, whereas A.Davies pushes high as a left wing back to support the attack. The unit works to hold a high line and compress the space between the defense and the midfield.

A two man midfield occupies the central zone to control the game. Martin Ødegaard operates as a right central midfielder, using his passing range to split the defence with a through ball and finding players in tight spaces. Beside him, Eberechi Eze plays as the left central midfielder to carry the ball forward and link the defensive and attacking lines. This pairing must work to pick up runners and prevent the opposition from playing through the middle. The midfield works to squeeze the space and win the second ball to keep the pressure on the opponent.

The attacking unit consists of three players across the front. Bukayo Saka plays as the right winger and looks to isolate a one on one wide to drive at defenders, while Gabriel Martinelli operates on the left as an inverted winger who cuts inside. Viktor Gyökeres acts as the central striker, using his strength to hold up the ball and find the feet of the striker to bring others into play. The forwards press from the front to force a long ball from the opposition. This front three creates many runs in behind and works to get to the byline for cutbacks.

Arsenal offers great tactical advantages through this lineup. The team can create wide overloads from the wing backs and the wingers combined. Using a back three allows for great coverage when defending transitions and provides the ability to press high in coordinated waves. The numerical superiority in the final third when the wing backs push up makes it very difficult for opponents to defend the wide areas.

This 5-2-3 formation is designed for high intensity teams that want to win the ball back quickly. It is best suited for matches where the opponent tries to play out from the back and can be caught by a heavy press.