Xhaka had a good game. "Immense" may be going a bit far, but it was probably his best performance so far, albeit at home against an already relegated opposition. He and Ozil had all the time in the world on the ball as Sunderland's pressing was non-existent. He's improved in recent weeks, and like a number of others that's probably due to the formation change. We now seem to be playing him in the role we signed him for - the deep lying passing Alonso sort of role, rather than theball winning box-to-box role we were using him up until the change of shape. Add to the list of winners from the change.
Definitely - the formation change has been awesome for Xhaka.
He doesn't quite have the ability to get out of tight spaces that some of our other midfielders have, so giving him a little extra time on the ball 'unlocks' his frankly astonishing passing range. He really is an Ozil from deep in that regard, what a left foot.
I know I'm usually more optimistic than others about Arsenal in general, but I'm feeling very excited about this formation. I am now hoping we take it into next season.
The main reason is that over the years, as other managers have become more and more tactically astute, our defending has come undone. Managers know how to un-pick us, which is basically waiting for our midfielders and fullbacks to flood upfield as they do all day, then turn it over and shift it quickly, and if they have enough quality they'll basically get 2 on 2's or 3 on 2's, which is a goal waiting to happen at this level.
This formation has given us so much more stability, it's been a long time since I've seen us so solid and assured at the back. Wenger loves his fullbacks to be in the attacking half all day, and 3 at the back means they can do that and it doesn't cost us like it often has.
I thought we would struggle to score, and the formation wouldn't last for that sole reason, but Ozil and Sanchez have really warmed into it. Initially they looked a bit lost, and neither were playing well, even though Sanchez was still getting goals which masked that a little bit. But in the games since Tottenham, both of them looked to have found their feet. They're popping up in all the right places and gelling again.
If you look at our squad the formation does suit the majority quite well. All our CBs and Fullbacks are right at home. Gabriel, Koscielny, Holding and Mustafi all seem very comfortable in a 3. We've got a great set of fullbacks, that looks like it will be strengthened further now if Ox becomes a permanent wingback (who can fill in as a forward/midfielder too), and Gibbs is replaced by Kolasinac. Monreal looks great as both a wingback and the inside-CB on that side. Mertesacker hasn't played but is contracted for next season, and in the event of injuries I imagine he would be excellent in the middle of the 3 as the organiser, with two faster destroyers either side.
As well as Xhaka, Ramsey suits this really well too, and has been playing his best games of the season recently. The back 3 gives him the licence he needs to play the way he does.
Ozil and Sanchez can fit anywhere given their quality, but the last couple of games have been very promising. The more freedom you give those guys the more havoc they create.
Welbeck goes well as a striker in this formation, and Giroud is epic off the bench in any situation.
The big loser here is Walcott. If Wenger wants to stick with this formation then he's dead weight. He said himself he doesn't want to play striker now, and he wouldn't be that effective as a striker in this formation anyway. He doesn't have the skillset to convert into a wingback either. Lucas unfortunately probably doesn't fit this formation either.
Iwobi is young and can play back-up to Ozil. Elneny is a good solid squad player for those two midfield roles. Wilshere can play in those roles as well if he is bought back in.
So basically only two players for me should be sold if we stick with 3 at the back - Walcott and Lucas.
Bring in one big forward signing for me, someone at striker preferably, a big buy, and I would be content to go into next season and give this a crack.
