Regardless of whether #LCFC choose a formation with a 3 or 4 at the back, there’s favourable one-v-one’s on the wing for Arsenal.

More than likely, Arteta will play a 3-4-3/4-3-3, playing Auba(LW) & either Saka/Pepe(RW) and Lacazette/Nketiah(ST).

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Since the restart, Arteta has used a 4-3-2-1, 4-3-3 or a 3-4-3. Their best win % is with the 3-4-3 (100%) and it's also been used in their last two games - both clean sheets. The 4-3-2-1 was only for the Man City game, I doubt he'll opt for that this evening.

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This front three will always manipulate one-v-one’s on the wing. It will either be LB&RB vs RW&LW - if #LCFC choose a formation with a defensive 4, or LCB&RCB vs RW&LW if they choose a defensive 3.

Both give Aubameyang a chance to cause problems.

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What “should” change between the 3 & the 4 at the back is the cover, but in both formations, there’s only one CB covering either side - depending on the flexibility in the defensive structure, as a DM (Ndidi) could slot into the backline to help.

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I expect if #LCFC plays a 3, that Evans will be the central CB. Ordinarily, Evans is the RCB in a 4 & would provide cover for Justin(RB). In the 3, Evans would provide cover for the RCB in the same way. Because of his central positioning, he can do the same for the LCB.

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In the back 3, both wing-backs can provide extra support for the wide CB’s. However, if Arsenal opts for a 3-4-3(likely) they’ll need to be wary of Bellerin/Tierney making advanced runs as wing-backs. This is where positional awareness is key & this isn’t in abundance.

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The width is where the game will be won & lost, it relies on #LCFC ’s wide players understanding when to cover, commit & provide support.

Hopefully, the excessive amount of offensive options, that the 3-4-1-2 offers, can then cause Arsenal's defensive shape problems.

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I expect/want #LCFC to shape up like this. I also think that this “gamble” defensively does have positives for the attack. Ndidi/Tielemans against Ceballos/Xhaka is intriguing. Arsenal has ball players & two aggressive midfielders, who are sometimes naive in their press.

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Whereas, Arsenal could/will look like this. I personally feel that Ndidi should have the beating of the two CM's, especially given his performance vs Palace. This in turn should “free up” Tielemans, to give him enough space to pick out progressive passes into forwards.

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