What Is the Best Formation for Arsene Wenger and Arsenal Next Season? Part One.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/779980-what-is-the-best-formation-for-arsene-wenger-and-arsenal-next-season-part-two

The current formation: 4-2-3-1

Arsenal has been using the 4-2-3-1 formation as of late and although it hasn't brought success, it does fit very well with Arsenal's passing style. But the main thing is, it revolves almost completely around Cesc Fabregas running the midfield. If he does leave, neither Aaron Ramsey, Samir Nasri nor Jack Wilshere have the ability to play the role as well as Fabregas. I'm not saying they're not good enough, but Aaron and Jack are only 20 and 19. In a few years I personally believe Ramsey could exceed the abilities of Cesc Fabregas. Wilshere could too, but he is a different type player. And as for Samir Nasri, he isn't a player who will stop, look and pass. He will just dribble and attack the box, which is good, but not so good when you're the most advanced playmaker who should be looking for the killer pass.

Another fault of this formation is playing Robin van Persie as a lone striker; he isn't a lone striker, although he does score for fun and play the role very well. He'd be even better in a second striker role just like fellow Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp in his playing days, with another more advanced striker in front of him. Robin is too creative to be stuck in the box, he needs freedom to roam.

The old "Invincibles" formation: 4-4-2

This formation did bring tons of success, but it wasn't solely down to the formation; we also had the greatest striker partnership of all time in Henry and Bergkamp.

This formation would allow RvP to play in the second striker role and utilize every inch of his ability without any of it being wasted. He could roam, he could dribble, he can do whatever the hell he wants and do it perfectly, because he is Robin van Persie. This man is one of the greatest players in the world today.

It could allow Theo Walcott to get what he wants and actually play up front, ahead of RvP. Walcott has a large amount of potential in this role, because he can finish chances and the pace would terrify defenders. Imagine fatties like John Terry trying to turn and chase him, it just wouldn't happen.

We had Pires and Ljungberg out wide, which was good, and we have Arshavin, Gervinho, Walcott, Miyaichi, Nasri, Rosicky, etc. who can play in these positions, also good.

The one doubt about switching to this formation and the current squad is the center midfield. We had Vieira and Gilberto, two guys both over six feet, and both more defensively minded players, as opposed to attacking and proper out and out ball winners. We currently have Fabregas, Wilshere, Song, Ramsey, Rosicky and Nasri who can effectively play in midfield, but they are all under six feet tall, bar one, Song who is just six feet. Our current center midfielders lack the strength and power of the 03/04 team, but they do possess unbelievable creativity and have a lot more agility and pace about them. And with our current style of play, it could work well.

A straight forward 4-3-3

 Wing backs, flat 3 in the middle, out and out wingers, and a target man in the box.

This would suit the style of play in some ways, but not so much the players.  Although a middle three of Ramsey, Fabregas and Wilshere spraying passes everywhere does sound tempting, we all know that it is not likely to work.

Additionally, the target man would obviously be RvP, who would not be used him to the best of his ability in this system.