Leon Osman and Stuart Pearce discuss Arsenal’s formation

The Premier League Daily panel think Arsene Wenger may have got his Arsenal line-up wrong at the weekend.

Wenger has committed to playing three at the back this season but results have been mixed so far, particularly in terms of goals conceded.

The Gunners beat Leicester on opening day but only after a 4-3 thriller and then lost 1-0 at Stoke on Saturday, after which Wenger said: „We didn’t defend properly.“
And the Arsenal line-up raised eyebrows in some quarters, with the left-backs Monreal and Kolasinac in the back three, and the right-back Hector Bellerin at left wing-back.

Former Everton and England man Leon Osman told Sky Sports Daily: „You can get it to work but players will play their best in the position they know the best.
„If you are desperate to play a certain formation but you haven’t got the players available, you are going to struggle.

„With the players available, maybe another system would have suited, but Arsene Wenger decided to stick with this and in some parts you have square pegs in round holes

„I think you saw that defensively on Saturday and with the goal they conceded.“

Wenger was under pressure from Arsenal fans at the end of the last season but ended up signing a new deal following a third FA Cup final win in four years.

But former England U21 boss Stuart Pearce fears it may be more of the same for Gunners fans in the Premier League this season.

Asked what had changed at Arsenal, Pearce said: „Nothing.

„In the run of the game, they played pretty well at Stoke. They had good chances but what is going to be the Achilles heel is keeping the ball out of the net.

„You look at Manchester United and think, ‘if United only score one goal in a game, that will probably be enough’.
„With Arsenal, first day of the season they have conceded goals to Leicester, and looked vulnerable at the back. Same again here, they need to tighten things up a bit more.“

With regard to the formation issue, Pearce added: „I always look at the personnel and think, ‘what will fit the squad I have got?’

„I think you have to look at your players and what suits your players and get 11 players in positions that suits them best.

„If not, recruit accordingly.“Euro Soccer Bonus

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