Arsenal FC: Would a Move Back to 4-4-2 Save the Gunners' Season?

While Arsenal sit 15th in the Premier league with a paltry seven points, now could be the time for Arsene Wenger to return to his 4-4-2 roots.

All of Wenger's most successful Arsenal teams operated out of some variant of football's most instantly recognisable formation.

A switch back to 4-4-2 and its more direct approach could pull Wenger's current squad out of the mire. The 4-3-3 hybrid set up is no longer working.

Wenger rightly crafted the current tactical structure to maximise the talents of his best player, Cesc Fabregas. Without the diminutive Spanish schemer to direct the play, Arsenal's current formation and method has been rendered impotent.

As a result, the team has become too predictable and too easy to play against. Opposing teams now know how best to expose the space on the flanks as well as the gaps between defense and midfield.

A return to a more basic structure could be the key to liberating Arsenal's current creative players and also streamlining the responsibilities of those performing defensive duties.

One of the arguments in favour of the existing formation is the presence of the much lauded holding player in front of the back four.

But Arsenal do not possess a true version of this role. Alex Song lacks the necessary positional discipline and tackling technique to truly be effective in this area.

Some of the more positive aspects of Song's game are also being wasted in such a limited position. The Cameroon international is a driving player, who looks best when powering forward.

More traditional, box-to-box midfield duties would get the best out of Song and allow Arsenal to play at a quicker pace.

The insertion of a back four shield has done nothing to alleviate Arsenal's defensive frailties.  Without an appropriate player for the role, the Gunners should scrap the position.

A common argument against this is that Arsenal will be overpowered by more physical teams.  But this problem is still present even when the Gunners outnumber the opposition in midfield.

Mikel Arteta has shown enough energy and willingness to tackle at the start of his Arsenal career, to indicate that he could handle the aggressive side of the game, alongside Song in a two man midfield.

A 4-4-2 would also benefit the club's leading goal scorer, Robin van Persie. Adding another striker alongside van Persie would allow the Dutchman to drop deeper on occasion and become the main creative force for this team.

Arsenal's star striker has the flair, technique and eye for a pass to perform this role well and the presence of another target man would grant him the freedom to do it.

A second striker would also ease the burden on van Persie, who has too often been isolated so far this season and can be simply overpowered by a robust defensive partnership.

Wenger has a litany of forwards to choose from for the wide positions.  The Gunners boss has always preferred his wide players to perform more as midfielders, rather than outright wingers.

Gervinho, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Yossi Benayoun are a trio with the ability to thrive in this type of role and tactical structure.

As Arsenal continue to falter in the league, Wenger must soon find ways to get the team back on track, or risk losing the lucrative sanctuary of a top-four finish.

Returning to his tactical roots could be the best way to put things right.