Read on Twitter
THREAD: Our 2020 summer transfer window. In this thread, I will review each of our summer signings and analyse, in great detail, the formations/systems we could utilise dependent on who we are playing. Likes and RTs so that more Gooners can see this would be much appreciated 
.
.
RĂșnar Alex RĂșnarsson: It was always going to be difficult in keeping two top-level GKs at the club. Arsenal made the decision to let Emi leave, which meant that an adequate back up was needed for Leno. RĂșnarsson was brought in for a small fee (ÂŁ1 million). His low save percentage
and lack of presence in commanding his area is a worry. Distribution however is said to be his strong point. What does encourage me is that our top GK coach @inakicana has previously worked with him in Denmark, which suggests that Runar could develop well under his guidance.
Gabriel: One of the key objectives in this window was to change the profile of our CBs. The majority of our current CBs are too slow, lack presence, positionally poor, not great in possession, and are prone to errors. But with Gabriel..
we have brought in a CB who is tailored to the modern game and suits the style of football/philosophy that MA is looking to implement. Commanding, good in 1v1 situations, reads the game well for someone still so young and great in possession. Can break the lines with...
intricate passes, possesses the ability to play successful long balls over the top, and comfortable in receiving the ball from the GK. He and Saliba could eventually form a great partnership for many years. Both have great profiles.
Mari and Cedric: From what I have seen of Mari, in the two and a bit games, he looks like a decent acquisition and provides us with depth at LCB. Left-footed, good in the air, and comfortable in possession. Cedric provides us with experience and is an adequate backup option.
Willian: Experience, versatility, and trophy-winning mentality. He is a player who can provide us with an influence in the final third. Statistically, he was very creative last season and for a free transfer, it's good business, although I would have preferred a 2-year deal.
Ceballos: Under MA, just before lockdown and post lockdown, he has raised his levels. Press resistant, comfortable in tight spaces, line breaker and possesses good vision and execution. Strong work rate out of possession as well. Delighted to have him here for another year.
Partey: A destroyer and conductor. A player who I desperately wanted since 2018. He has everything we need that we currently lack in midfield. Physicality, presence, and an engine. Excellent passing range, and drives with the ball very well. One underrated trait of his is
his intelligence/positional awareness. He is also press resistant, a very good dribbler, and possesses decent recovery pace. His qualities in and out of possession means that we can play multiple systems and allows us to be flexible with regards to our midfield choices.
SYSTEMS/FORMATIONS: Now that we know who is in the squad, we can analyse the formations that we may deploy. I believe that we will soon see us transition to a back four in and out of possession because of the signing of Thomas Partey. Our hybrid 3-4-3 system has been utilised so
that defensively we are more secure and adequate protection is provided to the CBs. So with regards to the lineup, in terms of RCB, I feel that we may see Luiz, Holding, or Mustafi play there predominantly. Reading into MA quotes, he clearly feels that Saliba needs more..
time. Creativity wise, I think we will see us use the options shown below. I also believe that MA will continue to go with Laca as the focal point because of the qualities he provides in dropping deep/linking play together. But I will discuss how we could play Auba up top as well
I don't think we will see Mesut play, so I will talk about Saka/Willian/Ceballos in that creative role. ESR will play in the EL group games so he won't be discussed. Generally, we could attack in many different ways. We could utilise our 2-3-5 attacking system through both the
left and right side. Partey will allow Hector to advance forward and build a partnership with Nico. Its been very common that Hector has been tasked to invert rather than overlap or underlap because we are committing many players forward through the left. So Hector maintaining a
deeper position helps us cope with transitions. But with Partey playing on the right, he has the positional awareness and defensive discipline that will allow Bellerin to go forward. This is vital because it will prevent Nico from isolation, as shown below.
Against the top teams, we can deploy our regular hybrid 3-4-3 system and adopt the following formations shown below. Defensively/offensively we have had success against the top teams using this system. Partey's experience in a low block will be beneficial in these types of games
Against the lesser teams and when we have to take the initiative, we could deploy Partey as the deepest midfielder ahead of Xhaka, and play with two attacking 8's in Willian and Saka/ Ceballos. The versatility Thomas provides is so desirable.
Regarding our attacking patterns, against teams who are not great on the counter, i.e Burnley, rather than attacking in a 2-3-5, we could adopt a 3-1-6/2-2-6. Just like we did on the weekend. We allowed Hector to overlap because Sheffield United aren't effective in transition.
We saw Auba play through the middle once Pepe was brought on in the second half at the weekend. 4-2-3-1, with Willian playing centrally. This is an option that we could go with, dependent on who we are playing. Auba also showed his ability as a link player (shown below).
The onus will be on Willian, Saka, and Ceballos to provide creativity. With regards to Willian, I believe that he is best suited to playing in a central role and given license to drift. Against Sheffield United, he was far more effective when we switched to a 4-2-3-1.
In our current system, we have seen Saka tucking into midfield and playing as the most advanced midfielder. As shown in the diagram, he has shown us that he can provide creativity. Playing Saka also would allow us to play a 5-4-1 out of possession as he can drop into LWB. So his
inclusion gives us flexibility. Dani has been effective when played in a pivot. Very effective in dropping deep, providing the CBs and GK a simple passing option. But he may be utilised further up the pitch. He has shown us that he can be effective in an advanced role.
Creativity is an issue and I am hopeful that the players I have discussed can deliver in the absence of Ozil. What is evident though is that there is a lot of flexibility with regards to systems that we could deploy. Hope you enjoyed the read.
