EPL 2017/18: How Arsenal could line up this season

Midfield – Hector Bellerin, Aaron Ramsey, Granit Xhaka and Sead Kolasinac

The 3-man defence allows Arsenal to field a midfield double pivot along with two wing-backs. In all certainty, Hector Bellerin will be the man trusted with the right wing-back role, with his blistering pace allowing him to be a force in attack while also allowing him to provide cover defensively.

Sead Kolasinac’s arrival from Schalke has boosted Arsene Wenger’s options on the left flank, with Kieran Gibbs and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also present in the squad to help out, as and when required. The Bosnia and Herzegovina international is expected to be the first-choice left wing-back and he will provide defensive cover to the team while also helping the team in attacks with his incisive crossing.

Wenger fiddled a lot with his midfield double pivot last season before settling for Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka as his two first-choice options. The duo have formed a good understanding and have started to work in tandem to help the attackers in causing trouble to the opposition defences.

However, if the Gunners opt for a change in formation then the duo may not be seen working together and Wenger might be forced to opt for one of Mohamed Elneny or Francis Coquelin – both more defensive minded players.

Arsenal also have Jack Wilshere’s services to call upon, with the English midfielder returning from his season long loan at Bournemouth. The Gunners do also have Santi Cazorla in their ranks – arguably their best midfielder but the Spaniard’s future is currently uncertain as he tries to recover from an ankle injury which has kept him sidelined for the better part of 9 months. There is no expected return date for Cazorla too and it is a possibility that he may never play again, sadly.