Arsenal legend Martin Keown has called for Unai Emery to change his tactical approach for this weekend's Premier League clash with Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.
The Gunners travel to face Brendan Rodgers' side with a six-point deficit in the race for a top-four finish and defeat at the hands of the Foxes could leave Arsenal's hopes of securing a Champions League return in tatters.
Pressure is rising upon Emery following a poor run of results, which continued on Wednesday afternoon with a 1-1 draw against Vitoria in the Europa League.
Speaking after the match, Keown explained that Arsenal need to focus on their attacking play against Leicester and should change their set-up in midfield.
“I think it’s important that if Xhaka doesn’t play, they play with two holding midfield players. Ozil then has that base to go and work from and Arsenal can go and attack with those front players," he told BT Sport.
“Let’s see if Leicester can handle Arsenal with Lacazette in and Pepe up top. Go for it, play to your strengths.
“We’re in danger of losing some of the identity of the team. Wenger was a passing man, a brand of football. We can’t defend, we couldn’t before, but now we’ve lost that brand of passing flavour. We’ve got to get back to that and play to our strengths.
“I think Kieran Tierney is now just starting to make a place in the team. Ceballos getting injured means that Torreira and Guendouzi will probably now sit in that midfield but no one has really stood out tonight.
“I honestly feel that attack is going to be the best form of defence for Arsenal and Aubameyang, as much as I am reluctant to take him out of the middle, Saka has done well but let’s play Aubameyang on the left and get him centrally as much as we can.
“Get Ozil on the ball and have that protection but the back four have to push up close and not drop off. David Luiz has a habit of dropping off because he’s fearful of pace but get Tierney don’t that left-hand side, get Aubameyang there to create space, and get Chambers because he’s been improving doing the same.
“Pepe, the inverted left-footed player on the right, they needs to really attack Leicester and get them on the back foot.”
