Tactically speaking - Arsenal

Arsenal

Possible starting XI
    
The formation

If you are hoping to see two up front for Arsenal on Saturday, then you are almost certain to be disappointed.

The Gunners have favoured a lone central striker in every one of their 28 Barclays Premier League games this season, using a 4-2-3-1 on 15 occasions, 4-1-4-1 eight times and 4-3-3 on five occasions.

The versatility of Arsene Wenger’s attacking players means they are comfortable in all three systems – it was 4-2-3-1 at home to Everton and away at Manchester United in the FA Cup sixth round, but 4-3-3 at struggling Queens Park Rangers, with all three matches ending in victories.

A flat back four will be based around two centre-backs and attack-minded full-backs, with two deeper-lying midfielders in the creative Spaniard Santi Cazorla and the combative young Frenchman Francis Coquelin.

Much like Chelsea’s three attacking midfielders, Arsenal’s triumvirate will interchange positions and find pockets of space from which to create chances.

Up front, Olivier Giroud is a physical presence and a reliable finisher, while Danny Welbeck offers more pace and movement but an arguably weaker goal threat.
 
The playing style

Whichever formation Wenger opts for, his team will play the same way they have played for two decades under the genial Frenchman.

Arsenal’s attacking approach is based on possession football, with short, sharp passes played between mobile, quick players.

Sitting deeper than he has done previously, Cazorla is the focal point for many of Arsenal’s attacks, both to create and take chances himself.

It should come as no surprised that Arsenal’s statistical strengths depict a team that creates plenty of chances using through balls and pieces of individual skill, while the speed down the flanks means the Gunners retain their threat as one of English football’s best counter-attacking teams.

One area where Arsenal have improved in their recent run of good form is in defence – Wenger’s men have become increasingly adept at stealing the ball from the opposition, while the centre-backs have looked more assured in front of Colombia international goalkeeper David Ospina.

When they are defending, the two wide attacking midfielders will drop deeper to shield their full-backs in a 4-4-1-1 shape, making Arsenal more solid when they get into shape.

However, Arsenal can still be caught out themselves on the counter-attack, particularly when the opposition turn the ball over quickly and get into space vacated by the full-backs.
 
The players

Arsenal have turned to experienced Colombian Ospina in goal in recent weeks, with the 26-year-old showing the form that has earned him more than 50 international caps.

A brave goalkeeper, Ospina dominates his box and is a fine shot-stopper, as is illustrated by the 2.9 saves per match he has made on average.

In front of him, right-back Hector Bellerin has burst into the side in recent weeks too. The 19-year-old Frenchman has caught the eye with his speed, mobility and willingness to get forward and overlap. Defensively, he has shown maturity by staying on his feet to make tackles and blocks.

Left-back Kieran Gibbs has rediscovered his best form. Also quick and mobile, Gibbs is better going forward than defensively.

With new boy Gabriel out injured, German giant Per Mertesacker and another Frenchman, Laurent Koscielny, should start at centre-half. Both are strong and aerially dominant, but perhaps lack mobility and can be turned when forwards get close or run at them.

Cazorla has seven goals and six assists from his deeper role. An outstanding technician, the 30-year-old is sharp, two-footed and committed. Alongside him, Coquelin is strong, combative and not afraid to tackle, while he also reads the play well for a relative youngster at 23.

With Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain reportedly out, England international Theo Walcott could come into the starting XI. He is quick, direct and a goal threat down the right, while Czech veteran Tomas Rosicky is a tricky customer.

In the centre, German Mesut Ozil is mobile and moves well, if not fast, but has yet to find his very best form in an Arsenal shirt.

Chile star Alexis Sanchez has been Arsenal’s best player this season. With 13 goals and seven assists, the 26-year-old has been outstanding. Small but strong, Sanchez can shoot accurately, create with his passing, dribbling and movement and gives up when out of possession.

Up front, Welbeck is pacey and prefers to play to the left. He can hold up play and bring the ball forward with the ball at his feet. If Giroud is preferred, he is more of a target man, and positions himself in good positions to finish the many chances Arsenal create.

West Ham United

West Ham United have teamed up with football stats website WhoScored.com to preview the upcoming Barclays Premier League meeting with Arsenal.
 
With the business end of the season fast approaching, it is vital the east London outfit begin to put more points on the board in order to end the campaign on a high.
 
The meeting with Arsenal will be the Hammers’ fourth consecutive London derby, with Player of the Month Cheikhou Kouyate set to play an influential role at the Emirates.
 
The Senegalese has gained a WhoScored.com rating of 7.08 in England’s top tier this term and another impressive outing is expected from the powerful 25-year-old, whether he turns out in midfield or defence.
 
The summer arrival has gained a statistically calculated WhoScored.com style of play of ‘likes to dribble’, which could see him bring the ball out from the back or rampage through the midfield.
 
In 21 appearances, he has set off on 30 dribbles. Once Kouyate gains a head of steam in possession, he is difficult to stop and the Gunners may struggle to contain the Senegal international when he drives forward with the ball.
 
Should he play at the back, Kouyate’s defensive abilities will come to the fore. He has made 53 successful tackles out of 72 attempted this season, as well as 36 interceptions, 26 blocks and 44 clearances.
 
No West Ham player has won more WhoScored.com Man of the Match awards this season than Kouyate’s two and it is possible that he can add to this on Saturday. Having netted in the reverse fixture in December, Arsenal may be at a loss as to how they limit Kouyate’s influence in the London derby.
 
The Senegal international’s WhoScored.com rating (7.71) in the last meeting with the Gunners was bettered only by James Tomkins (7.80) of all West Ham players.
 
Kouyate has proved to be quite the coup following his arrival from Anderlecht last summer. On Saturday, he has the opportunity to further endear himself to the Hammers faithful as West Ham look to upset the odds at the Emirates.
 
*WhoScored.com is a website and one of the fastest growing in the sports industry, specialising in the in-depth analysis of detailed football data. Follow @WhoScored on Twitter.