This also allows us to finally go back to having the two striker formation up top which brought us success in 1998, 2002 and 2004. In all three title winning years the key to this was the second striker which was the ‘Iceman,’ Dennis Bergkamp. Well there can be no doubt in anyone’s mind that Robin van Persie is more than ready for this role and like his countryman in his era, one of the finest footballers on the world stage. So here is the big decision – Would we give the Anelka role from 98 to one Walcott? It is what he wants and what Wenger has always said he will eventually give him. Looking at the natural finish against Swansea you know he has it in him to fulfil what he believes to be his destiny and fill the no.14 shirt as the arrowhead of our attack. Right now, I think I would give him a crack at playing off the last man if we did revert to the winning 4-4-1-1.
Many believe that this formation is dead in the modern day game and it may be that we just use the system in certain games. For those who do feel the modern game has moved on I suggest you would only need to look at the United run in from March to May last season. Ferguson settled on a front 6 that just clicked. It was Carrick and Giggs in the centre, with Nani and Park the two wide players. Nani more attacking and Park tucking in, when Nani was joining the front two of Rooney playing just in behind Hernandez. Sound familiar?
Wenger has proved stubborn in many ways as we know and he seems reluctant to change, but it is just the opposite character trait in Ferguson that has made so annoyingly successful. Ferguson will change systems from game to game dependent on the opposition and the form of his players, something Wenger seems loath to do, even bringing Marouane Chamakh or Nicklas Bendtner on in wide roles rather than alter the shape. The last time we were genuinely close to winning the EPL was in 2008 when we had a 4 man midfield of Fabregas and Flamini, flanked by Hleb and Rosicky, neither of whom were real wingers. Ironically that year it was the horrific injury to Eduardo saw Wenger deviate and change from the 2 striker formation permanently and it was the new system that sadly left Eduardo out in the cold on his return. (God what would we give for a fully fit Eduardo now?)The system worked for 10 years and I feel it could work again with our current squad.
The other real advantage it gives Wenger is a true bargaining chip in the transfer market. At present as I have argued previously I see it as very unlikely that a top striker such as a Lukas Podolski would come knowing that they are cover for RVP, but they would certainly come if they heard that Wenger was planning to change back to a two striker attack. What is does give us is options. It might give Walcott his long awaited opportunity. It might see Chamakh return to the form that saw him hit double figures rapidly in the first three months of his Arsenal career. Or it might give Wenger the flexibility to bring in a top quality partner for our skipper, who must run out of steam at some point.
It has to be worth a try surely?
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It’s simple…4-4-2 won 3 Premierleague and 4 FA Cup. Unfortunately 4-3-3 won NOTHING!!! It’s true 4-3-3 create a beautiful game but honestly for me I am feel boring to watch all the possession without any end product. Sometime you feel so frustrated about that.
nothing is beautiful about 2 wingers who do nothing for the whole game
“Ferguson will change systems from game to game dependent on the opposition and the form of his players” – That’s the attitude I believe AW needs to imbibe. Both formations have their merits & demerits. I like 4-4-2 but I also want my team’s manager to be proactive and less predictable!