Mikel Arteta could be ready to return to the back three after putting up a three-man defense on Thursday and pointing out the qualities of Arsenal’s new recruit Takehiro Tomiyasu.
The Gunners took on a youth team from Brentford at London Colney in a closed-door friendly and prevailed.
Arteta’s men won 4-0, but it wasn’t a rematch for his first Premier League loss last month. The Bees featured an inexperienced lineup, while Arteta fired some of their big guns.
Gabriel broke the deadlock early in the second half with a powerful shot from inside the area. Alexandre Lacazette scored the second with a brilliant free kick before Cedric Soares scored twice at the end to give the scoreboard a lopsided look.
Weather Arteta I was happy with the training, the interesting point that came out of the training ground was the use of a back three.
The Spaniard has not been very happy with his favorite 4-2-3-1 / 4-3-3 system in the first three games. Indeed, Arsenal’s start has been miserable with losses to Brentford, Chelsea and Manchester City without scoring a single goal.
Arteta used a three-man defense against City, but it often seemed like a five-man defense with Soares and Tierney turned away. However, it is worth noting that Arteta has had injury issues involving Rob Holding and Pablo Mari.
Pablo Mari started at Colney with White and Gabriel on either side of him in the middle of defense. Calum Chambers played the full 90 minutes on the right side, with Soares on the left.
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Lord Versatile – Tomiyasu
Mari and White were replaced, but Arteta gave them the green light afterward.
“Yes, we had a chance to play Brentford again. And we had quite a few players who needed a few minutes. Some of them come back from injuries, some of them after Covid. So it was a good test and a good exercise, ”said Arteta.
One man who was not used against the Bees was new signing Tomiyasu.
The Japan international only arrived from Bologna for £ 17.2 million on the day of the deadline, but Arteta has hinted that it could be used in a back 3.
“Again, we followed him for a while,” Arteta said in London Colney. “We needed a full-back who could be very versatile, who could play as a center-back, who could play on a three-sided, Tomi has this ability.
“He is 22 years old but has a really good experience in Serie A and internationally and with the qualities we are looking for.”
Everything could point to a more regular change to a back three. A formation that served Arteta so well in its first season. Stability at the rear helped Arsenal achieve FA Cup glory, while giving their team a platform to attack freely. And he could go back to that style after a miserable start to the season.
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