Arsenal’s New Backline Sucks
I hate Arsenal’s new backline. For those who have not noticed, Arsenal has a new-look defense this year. William Saliba and Ben White have been starting as the two center-backs, while Thomas Partey has been starting at right-back and a few players have played as left-backs ever since new signing Jurrien Timber was injured.
Partey is not playing like a traditional right-back, however. He is playing as an inverted right-back, moving into the midfield with Declan Rice while Arsenal has possession, giving the team a 3-4-3 look.
While I usually support most things Mikel Arteta does, I am at a loss for why he is experimenting with this new backline.
First of all, why is Gabriel not starting? Before this season, he had started 73 straight Premier League games and had been Arsenal’s rock in defense for years. Before Saliba’s injury last year, the two formed a formidable partnership at center-back that had Arsenal looking incredibly strong defensively. Now, however, he is rotting on the bench.
Second of all, why is Partey playing at right-back? Is Partey really that good that he needs to be on the pitch at all times? No, he is not. He is not good enough to start over Rice, but that sure as hell does not mean he should be moved to right-back. I would much rather see Arsenal play with a more traditional backfour with Ben White on the right. Partey is not a great defender and Arsenal, in general, plays better with four true defenders.
Also, if you want to go with an inverted outside back, then why is Partey preferred to Oleksandr Zinchenko? I get it, Zinchenko is just coming back from an injury and I hope Arteta moves this way, but it just feels crazy that Arsenal is trying to do what it does with Zinchenko on the left with Partey on the right.
Another complaint I have. Why are players like Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior getting minutes? Tomiyasu is terrible. Every time he steps on the field, he is terrible. Whether he is passing the ball right to Manchester City or is getting red cards against Crystal Palace, Tomiyasu is a liability on the field and should never step foot on the pitch for the Gunners again.
I do not mind Kiwior as much, but why is he playing over Gabriel? If you are going to have Partey move forward and leave three defenders back, why would you not have an experienced and more talented Gabriel playing on the left side instead of Kiwior?
I do not know why Arteta is experimenting with this lineup. They conceded twice against Fulham and let Nottingham Forest score a goal on a counter-attack when it was practically two Forest players against six Arsenal defenders.
Hopefully, Arteta realizes that this experiment is pointless and returns to a more sensical backline this weekend against Manchester United.
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