Arsenal Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Raya (Kepa) · Saliba (Mosquera) · Timber (White) · Gabriel (Kiwior) · Calafiori (Lewis-Skelly) · Zubimendi (Nørgaard) · Rice (Merino) · Ødegaard (Nwaneri / Dowman) · Saka (Madueke) · Gyökeres (Havertz / G.Jesus) · RECRUE (Martinelli)

Arsenal plays with a high press using a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup is built to win the ball high up the pitch and attack with great speed. The team seeks to control the ball and use vertical passing to break the lines and reach the penalty area.

Raya stays in goal behind a back five. Timber works as an attacking wing back on the right to provide width and overlap the winger. Calafiori plays as an attacking wing back on the left to push into the final third. Zubimendi plays as a central defender to sweep behind the line and cover the space. Saliba and Gabriel act as the wide center backs to hold the line and defend zonally. Saliba is dominant in the air and provides cover while Gabriel works to mark the striker. The defensive unit works together to hold a high line and squeeze the space.

In the middle, Rice and Ødegaard operate in a double pivot. Rice plays as a carrier who drives forward with the ball and shields the defence. He is key to winning the second ball in the middle of the pitch and covers the centre. Ødegaard connects the defensive and attacking lines by playing through the lines. He uses his passing range to find teammates and makes late runs into the box to score.

The front line consists of three attackers with Gyökeres leading as a lone striker. Saka plays as an inverted winger on the right to cut inside and create chances. RECRUE stays wide on the left to stretch the defence and provide width. Gyökeres acts as a pressing centre forward to win the ball high up the pitch and can hold up the ball for others. The team looks to hit in behind on the transition and use Saka to whip it in from wide.

A major advantage of this Arsenal lineup is the wide overloads created when Timber and Calafiori overlap the wingers. The team also benefits from the ability to press high in coordinated waves using the front three. The presence of Saliba and Gabriel in a back five ensures compactness when defending in a mid-block.

The 5-2-3 formation relies on aggressive pressing and quick vertical attacks. This lineup is best suited for facing teams that struggle to play out from the back.