Actually, it is not a new 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 or even a Christmas Tree 4-3-2-1.
We had being playing this way all season long with at least one attacking FB driving into opponent half leaving 2 or 3 defenders at half-way line.

Wenger decided to add height to arrest all those headers won by opponents, hence Rob Holding.

We have no flank attacks with a poor Walcott, failing to track back, cannot beat his man nor put in an accurate cross. OX is the answer.

A poor Bellerin, low on confidence, a nervous Nellie and it is a smart move to take him out of the firing line and in come Gabriel who put in a decent shift, especially with OX offering protection in front of him.

I like Holding, his composure under pressure and the ability to bring the ball out of defence, freeing Monreal to play as the wing-back. Let's remember even a 32-year-old Downing still has the pace over a short distance but as the match progressed further, he slowed down noticeably and switched flank with Adama Troare.

Again, Koscielny was at fault, misreading the cross leaving Negredo with a free shot at goal. Every defender will man-marking in the box, including Monreal and Holding, and it was the job of Koscielny to cut-off and intercept that cross - he failed.

Xhaka is coming on his own as the libero, intercepting all passes in midfield and setting up plays. He played more centrally as both Monreal and OX were doing a decent job as wing-back protecting the flanks.

Xhaka freed up Ozil and Ramsey to play ahead of him.

3-4-3 or 3-5-2 - The proof is in the pudding - against Man City flank attacks and can we score 2 goals against them?

7 - Cech - provide stability and we missed him for last 3 games.
6 - Monreal - a decent wing-back.
6 - Gabriel - provide physicality at right flank and worked well with OX.
5 - Koscielny - noticeably on the decline and at fault for that goal.
6 - Holding - decent game and loved his composure under pressure.
6 - OX - excellent as wing-back but minus one for his selfishness and lack of composure during last 5 minutes of play.
6 - Ramsey - decent but just another overhyped and mediocre midfielder nurtured by Wenger.
7 - Xhaka - his best game in controlling the midfield.
6 - Ozil - nothing special, just a normal day in the office.
6 - Alexis - no more the Duracell Bunny and lack that fire and passion we so loved.
5 - Giroud - enough said.

N/A - Bellerin, Coquelin - too little playing time to rate

Cech was horrible. A top goalkeeper reads that cross and catches it. Cech was a scared rabbit, and let's not talk about his kicking.

Xhaka

F*cking rubbish.

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Quote:

Gunnersingh1
Cech was horrible. A top goalkeeper reads that cross and catches it. Cech was a scared rabbit, and let's not talk about his kicking.

Too biased.
watch that video again.
Any decent goalie would expect a decent CB like Koscielny will cut off that cross easily, especially facing the ball in his sight.

Quote:

Boston Gooner
Xhaka
F*cking rubbish.

You would also said Henry is rubbish and Pires is rubbish during their first few months of the season with us.

It took Pires one season to adjust to the pace of English Football.

Didn't Arsenal fans also said we over-paid for Bergy until he started scoring?

Xhaka is a waste of space.

I don't need to watch it again, Cech should be helping his defenders not stuck in his goal!

Quote:

Merlion96

Quote:

Boston Gooner
Xhaka
F*cking rubbish.

You would also said Henry is rubbish and Pires is rubbish during their first few months of the season with us.

It took Pires one season to adjust to the pace of English Football.

Didn't Arsenal fans also said we over-paid for Bergy until he started scoring?

When your hero Wenger does is team rebuilding I doubt Xhaka will be a first team starter.

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Quote:

Boston Gooner

Quote:

Merlion96

Quote:

Boston Gooner
Xhaka
F*cking rubbish.

You would also said Henry is rubbish and Pires is rubbish during their first few months of the season with us.

It took Pires one season to adjust to the pace of English Football.

Didn't Arsenal fans also said we over-paid for Bergy until he started scoring?

When your hero Wenger does is team rebuilding I doubt Xhaka will be a first team starter.

You meant you condemned every opinion against yours as pro-Wenger?
Get a life and indulge in Aristippus' hedonism.

Stop taking Schopenhauer's breakfast will ya?

I think Xhaka has promise but needs confidence and to grow up a little. I think he'll develop into a decent player.

Arsenal's season unravelled with the injury to Carzola. Wenger tried different combination of players to mitigate the loss of Carzola but none worked. Carzola has one quality which none of Ramsey nor Xhaka nor Elneny nor Coq possess - and that is the ability to take pressure off the defence with quick transition to attack and most importantly, ability to retain possession despite under heavy pressing. Ox is probably the closest to fitting the Carzola role but he lacks the spatial awareness of opposing players though with time, he can attain that unique ability. None of the other players mentioned have that ability and will not be able to develop it.

There is actually an immediate solution to replace Carzola and that would be Cesc. Superb spatial awareness. Seldom gets caught on the ball. Releases the ball at the right time and pace. Makes the right choices most times. Would be the perfect player to transition from defence to attack. The perfect partner supporting Ozil and Alexis. But Wenger persisted with the existing players who are not totally equipped for that role. A clear case of putting Arsenal's season at risk while trying to find the internal solution. And not surprisingly, we are in our current predicament.