ARSENAL face a make-or-break battle against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.
The Gunners are trailing in their Champions League semi-final battle after a 1-0 first-leg defeat at the Emirates.
Arsenal are preparing for their biggest game in living memory against PSG[/caption]
SunSport’s tactics guru Dean Scoggins (right) explained how Arsenal can reach the Champions League final[/caption]
And Mikel Arteta’s men have it all to do as they look to overturn the deficit and book their place in the final.
But just how can they go about achieving the seemingly-impossible?
And just who will make the starting XI cut for Arsenal’s biggest game in memory?
Here, SunSport’s tactics expert Dean Scoggins reveals all as he answers YOUR questions…
SYSTEM CHANGE?
Fan question: “Do Arsenal need to switch up their whole system in the second leg?“
The short answer is no. It’s only half time. It’s game on.
They don’t need to change the whole system but there’s a couple of subtle tweaks to make.
PSG slot into three at the back and Hakimi goes to the right wing.
Arsenal defended in a 4-4-2, with Odegaard joining the front man. It didn’t work.
PSG’s diamonds meant they played out. I want to see Arsenal go man for man and be much braver on the press.
The forwards go and the midfielders back it up, with the defenders also in a brave pressing shape.
It could leave them vulnerable on the right. Do they bring Saka back in? It means Odegaard would go into a more natural position and Martinelli pushes on the left.
PSG used clever wide diamond shapes to outplay Arsenal in the first leg[/caption]
The Gunners’ pressing did not work and allowed PSG to cut through them[/caption]
Hakimi’s still a problem, but that’s where Lewis-Skelly comes in.
He was unbelievable with his decision making in the first leg. He narrows off the midfield.
So on paper, the system stays the same. But how they press and go from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 needs to slightly adjust.
In the first leg, when it came into the central area, they should have set Merino and Rice onto PSG and steal the ball. Villa saw joy there against PSG.
Rice was getting dragged wide and out of those positions. They have to cut off the central channel by forcing PSG infield and setting a trap to win it back.
Arsenal need to be brave and squeeze the centre of the field[/caption]
A compact shape will stop PSG from controlling the heart of the field[/caption]
PARTEY’S RETURN
Fan question: “How vital will Thomas Partey’s return be?“
He will be vital. Partey can change this. But it’s not just about him coming back in. It’s about Rice being freed up.
Rice and Merino were split in the first leg with PSG playing diamonds out wide.
They went picking those players up and PSG exploited it down the middle.
We will now see a much more balanced midfield with Partey, Rice and Odegaard.
Merino will definitely not be in midfield and it will be a difficult decision for Arteta as to who is up front.
Arsenal are a different beast with Thomas Partey in the team[/caption]
He straight away allows midfield teammates to operate in their natural areas[/caption]
I’d err on the side of Trossard starting and Merino coming on later.
But Partey gives you so much and takes the sting out of the game.
He also favours the right side of the field, Arsenal’s attacks come from there.
Partey drifts in to block the counter-attack and slots back into position.
Going forward, Rice comes in for a 2vs1. And the right-back will help Partey too, allowing Lewis-Skelly to invert.
They end in a very compact defensive shape. Partey on and off the ball will make a huge difference.
Partey gives the attacking players licence to go and play. Without him you lose two, because you lose Rice as well.
Partey will provide stability and flexibility in midfield[/caption]
He will also drift to the right as Arsenal look to exploit their favourite flank[/caption]
ARSENAL FULL-BACKS
Fan question: “Will Arsenal’s full-backs need to step up in the second leg?“
Lewis-Skelly showed you can get physical with PSG and upset them. He doesn’t lose duels, it’s remarkable.
His body shape, size, speed, low centre of gravity… he almost took that side of the field on his own.
Lewis-Skelly frees up Martinelli with his positioning, and his decision-making is also fabulous.
Myles Lewis-Skelly was sensational in the first leg[/caption]
He will tuck in as Arsenal aim to exploit the other flank[/caption]
On the right, you want Saka picking up the ball with the full-back coming to meet him.
Odegaard has to do a deeper-lying job too, let’s not let Saka do that job.
Timber’s got to be better and step up. They need to stop the ball going into Kvaratskhelia’s feet and leaving him 1v1.
I think you start with Timber and accept if he gets booked, you make the change for White.
White is very good on the overlap and works well with Saka, so later in the game he will overlap and that’s the substitution.
Arsenal can use their full-backs to outwit PSG[/caption]
Bukayo Saka’s success depends on the support he gets on the right[/caption]
DEANO’S VERDICT
Arsenal have to score first but it doesn’t mean they should go all guns blazing early on.
They’ve got to be sensible and dampen the crowd down.
PSG are the team under pressure at home so the first 15 minutes might end up being cagey, which suits Arsenal.
They’ve got to be brave though. Raya’s long passes will come into it, as will set pieces.
The longer the game goes on, the more it plays into Arsenal going through. Go hard or go home.