Mikel Arteta has hinted that he could play Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith-Rowe alongside Thomas Partey in a 4-3-3 formation to improve Arsenal’s lack of creativity.
The Gunners have failed to score in their opening three games in the Premier League this season which is a record for the North London club.
Thomas Partey is yet to feature this season after being ruled out with an injury in pre-season but is set to return in the first game after the international break.
Speaking about who can partner Partey at midfield in his press conference Arteta said “We have some options there with the arrival of Martin [Odegaard] and having Emile [Smith-Rowe] aswell who can play in those pockets.”
Arsenal are set to play against Norwich on Saturday which could be the best chance to use this formation considering that the opponents will pose less of an attacking threat then others will in the league.
To have Odegaard and Smith-Rowe on either side of Partey, it makes the side very attacking-minded but it can certainly build some success.
Odegaard has featured in this position before for Real Sociedad and during his time in Spain he would constantly find himself creating chances in the right-half space or along the right touchline, so playing him on the right side of the three would certainly suit.
The Norwegian also had an impressive international break which saw his nation get closer to World Cup qualification. More interestingly he started the last game against Gibraltar as part of a midfield three so he does have the credentials to be played there.
Smith-Rowe has primarily been played in attacking positions during his time at Arsenal but with two central midfielders alongside this can give him the freedom to still provide creativity in the final third.
Thomas Partey is a player that covers a lot of ground on the pitch and is certainly capable of playing in a defensive midfield role without a pivot.
However Arteta has used these three in midfield before but failed to come to any success. In arguably Arteta’s biggest game of his career in the Europa League semi-final second leg against Villareal he had Partey in defensive midfield with Smith-Rowe and Odegaard just beyond him.
Despite the creativity it poised to possess, the Gunners failed to score in that match and only managed to attempt one shot on target despite having 56% possession.
This highlights that this midfield is better suited for teams with a lesser quality as in some games there will be no need for two defensive midfielders but in crucial moments this would be not the correct personnel.
Despite this, it is still an option Arteta should definitely look to explore.
