Mikel Arteta responds to calls for Arsenal to change system to stop Manchester City
Some supporters have been clamoring for the Gunners to switch to a back three.
In an effort to halt Manchester City and Erling Haaland, Mikel Arteta has claimed that Arsenal are unlikely to change their system. He also claims that his team will continue to focus on their "principles."
Even though Arsenal have experienced a slump in form at the worst possible time, the table-topping Gunners go to the Etihad on Wednesday night for a game that might determine the winner of the Premier League title.
Arteta’s side – who are without the injured William Saliba – have shipped seven goals in their last three games and dropped six points.
Rob Holding has come in for criticism since stepping into the starting XI and there have been growing suggestions from fans that it might be worth trialling a different formation – such as a back three with Ben White on the right side of the defence and Granit Xhaka on the left.
With City having netted 50 times in their 15 home league matches this season, Arteta needs to find a quick fix for his porous back-line, though he is unlikely to do anything too drastic.
Arteta responded, "Obviously we are working on their threats, as well as their weaknesses, and we know where they are," when asked about his center-back pairing and whether he might change the system to stop Haaland.
‘The issue with a team like City is that it starts with the goalkeeper, and he is a threat when the ball is with him! You have to control every single one [of their players].
‘But we’re just focusing on us. We know what they want to do, and what they will try to do.
They can play with a box inside, a diamond, design the game with three, be asymmetrical on one side, place Bernardo Silva to the right, play a diamond there, and raise Kyle Walker - they can do so many things!You must therefore be flexible. To try and move the game in the direction you want, you ultimately need to concentrate on a few key ideas.
Asked outright about a change in personnel for the visit to the Etihad, Arteta smiled and replied: ‘We will see tomorrow.’