Arsenal take on PSV in the Champions League, looking not only to get a positive result but just simply scoring for the first time in three matches. Back-to-back goalless clashes in the Premier League have seen the mood drop to a new low this season.
However, the feeling of their opponents is very similar, who have lost twice in the last week to Go Ahead Eagles, knocking them out of the cup and potentially ending their own title hopes to Ajax. A clash of sides struggling for form, it seems.
Mikel Arteta is still without many of his key players, PSV too have some of their own problems, having lost Ricardo Pepi for what appears to be the rest of the season and signing former Gunners Lucas Perez on a free contract – the Spaniard, however is not eligible to face his old club.
With the issues in mind, the changes that football.london have looked into again stick with the idea of a system change to try and find a way to the net. Moving to a wing-back system with three central defenders.
William Saliba, flanked by Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Magalhaes, offers a steady back line which should be able to cope with the likes of Luuk de Jong. Flanking them are Ben White on the right and the returning Myles Lewis-Skelly on the left – it could have been Kieran Tierney, but the youngster has been the most impressive so far this season.
The system gives Arsenal more natural width and an overlapping and overloading presence in the final third. Providing better opportunities for low-driven crosses and cut-backs from the touchline.
