Can Arsenal play using the 'Invincibles formation' with the 2015/16 squad?

How Arsenal replicate the Invincibles’ glory in 2015/16?

Okay so here we are at the end of my mini-series looking at ways to vary our systems and approach with the same players. I thought I better get the last one written as we are actually in danger of making our first signing and that might render this last instalment redundant. Of course they probably are all redundant but I have had fun using my imagination, whilst wishing none too secretly that Arsene might to the same!

I have covered 4 different possibilities without looking at the currently favoured 4-2-3-1/4-1-4-1. Two with back fours and 2 with back threes and the last variation tips us in favour of a four man defence. I always knew I would save this article until last as it is a simple concept and I assumed it would be a populist way to conclude what has proved a popular diversion from transfers and speculation – or so the reading figures suggest.

For my last potential team formation, I thought I would return to a certain 2003/04 season where our beloved team did quite well. Indeed I believe this was Wenger’s set up for the most part in the early noughties. So let’s call it the ‘Invincibles’ Line Up for the want of a better tag-line. Most think automatically 4-4-2 but I always consider it a tad more subtle when I look back and I think of it as 4-1-3-1-1.

So in this finale all I intend to do is try to match the closest player in the present squad to the players most feel are the first choice 11 from 2003/04. These players only started a handful of games together as it happens and only two in the Premier League but few would argue with this being the team, if all fit:

The Invincibles Starting XI

So today is not about my actual view on who should play in 2015/16 per se and nor am I suggesting for one minute that any player is on a par or better than our players back then. I think we all know that in the main they are not, with a few possible exceptions. I am happy to pushed on this but it is not for this article. All I am thinking is which player most closely matches the attributes and style of the players from 03/04 in the formation as I see it. I hope this will make sense and that it will engender a healthy and lively debate.

Funnily enough the two positions I found hardest were the two fullback berths but I think given the attacking nature and the fast-breaking style of the team back then and hence now if we opted to use the system, you would opt for the stronger defenders in case they were left exposed.

The two wider advanced midfielders were easy for me and for Freddie Ljungberg and Robert Pires I opted for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alexis Sanchez. I think Alex has all the energy that Ljungberg had and gets to the bye-line to cut back as well as the Swede, if not better. Perhaps the goal scoring side will develop for the Ox and I think it will. One could easily argue for Alexis to be up front but just remember how superb Pires was on the left and how many goals he scored from there.

Oxlade-Chamberlain can be the new Freddie Ljungberg

No surprise that for Bergkamp’s No.10 role. vision and defence splitting passing I selected the newly beefed up Mesut Ozil. For all the finesse, Bergkamp was rarely out-muscled and Ozil is getting there. For Henry, I just edged for Theo Walcott over Danny Welbeck. Although the Champions League hat-trick versus Galatasaray by Welbeck last season was very Henry-esque. Both have many of the attributes. Neither will ever be Thierry!

Theo Walcott to finally play the Thierry Henry role

The Patrick Vieira role is a difficult one as no one actually has his stature or strength. Last month I could have dropped Abou Diaby in there but now it is one of Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere or Santi Cazorla – and I think the Welshman is the closest to Vieira for that role. He has the strength and the ability to surge into the box. No need to ask you to guess who is Gilberto really!

The central defensive partnership requires mobility aligned with more traditional height and strength and from this we have the present first choice partnership fits. Behind then and in advance our impending arrival if I am looking to match the attributes of Mad Jens I suppose Mad Woj will do.

So here we have it the Invincibles 2015/16 in attributes, positions and team set up, if not in ability or talent in many cases or yet at least.

Can Arsenal set up like the Invincibles in 2015/16?

Just imagine the pace of the above team on the break!

So there you have it my final musings on the subject, concluded before Arsene actually does ‘Spice up the tank’ with new additions. It was fun while it lasted.