this post was submitted on 16 Apr 2025
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I think I’m leaning toward Dec holding and Merino in the left 8. With Trossard dropping deep, those two can interchange so we can still use Merino as the big man up top.
Arsenal typically plays in a 4-3-3 that becomes a 4-4-2 in defence. It's almost always Odegaard that goes up top with the striker when they switch to that 4-4-2.
Because of that, I don't know if it would work very well to have what you're describing, basically a 4-4-2 in attack, that becomes a different 4-4-2 in defence.
Also, right now the midfield 3 is basically a #6, a left #8 who gets forward sometimes, but becomes part of a midfield defence when the ball is turned over (typically Rice) and a #8/#10 whose defensive contribution is mostly pressing opposing CBs and GKs (Odegaard). If you replace Partey with a player who sometimes plays as a striker, you might get caught out with nobody screening the back line. If you made Merino the left #8 and Rice the #6, it's less risky, but then you lose out on Rice's forward runs.
No. Was still talking 4-3-3 just with Trossard dropping deep sometimes and Merino stepping up to fill that space.
So, Merino playing Odegaard's position, half #8, half #10?
Nah, more like how Havertz played as the left 8. Often pushing forward into the centre forward position, particularly for the long ball, with the “striker” (Trossard/Jesus) dropping in. I mean, who knows what Mikel has up his sleeve. I just see this as being less disruptive to the relationships that already exist than moving someone other than Rice into the 6.