The first thing Arteta need to change when we come back is our formation. We are Arsenal football club we need to play expressive and attacking football. Arteta need to make a quick transition to get us firing again and that will start with playing to the players strengths.

Changes in ATTACK

In the strikers position we have to play Aubameyang. We can use Lacazette to impact games from the bench and restrict Nketiah to Cup games and as an injury back up. We have the likes of Martinelli, Saka, Pepe, Nelson and Willian as options to play on the wings. With the right balance, any two of them will play with Aubameyang in a front three. We also need to start introducing Balogun to the Europa League squad so that we assess and see what he can bring different to the first team.

Changes in MIDFIELD

Our midfield is what let us down most of the time. We don’t create enough chances and we get outnumbered in most cases. Our current system only allows two players to sit in the center of the midfield and we are asking a lot from them. We need to start playing with a three men midfield, two doing the dirty work and one creating and helping the striker score goals.

Our best midfield combination should consist of Partey playing box-to-box, Xhaka, Elneny or Ceballos playing as a CM/DM and Willock, Ceballos, Smith-Rowe or Saka playing in the number 10 role behind Aubameyang. We can also play with Partey sitting as the DM and two number 8’s of Willock, Ceballos, Smith-Rowe or Saka. We have the players to execute a well functioning midfield three Attack or midfield three Defense. Both 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 are possible options.

Changes in DEFENSE

Our defense is quite not as bad as it use to be. Gabriel is currently undroppable but he need a consistent partner. Both Luiz and Holding had great and bad games so far. We need to find the perfect right side CB that give us balance to pair with Gabriel. Arteta need to trust William Saliba and try him out. We know that he’s eligible to play in the Premier League and January is not far away to have him registered in the Europa League as well.

Preferred and most likely line-up

Arteta need to go back to the basics and play 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. The return of Martinelli in January will give us more options as he can play everywhere across the front three. The likes of Willock and Nelson have room in the side and could make the first 11. Pepe need to play ahead of Willian all the time. Elneny has a chance to claim a spot in the midfield next to Partey and Saliba could be introduced as well.

On top of all these changes, Arsenal should try do some business during the January transfer window to give the squad a better balance so that we finish the season stronger. All failed transfers should be revisited. Players like Sokratis and Kolasinac should move on. The club also need to make decisions on players like Chambers, Mustafi and Ozil. Moving them out will open up some space for a right central defender and a creative midfielder.