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Arsenal head into this weekend’s clash with Chelsea in poor form, having fallen to a 1-0 defeat to West Ham United last time out.

On the chalkboard

The Gunners were lifeless against the Hammers and their defensive flaws were exposed once again. If Unai Emery’s side can’t produce a more solid showing at the back against the Blues then they will likely be punished for it in a far heavier manner than West Ham managed.

In recent weeks, the north London club have been lining up with a 3-4-2-1 system. However, they do not possess centre-backs reliable enough to pull this formation off. The likes of Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi lack pace and are too error-prone to go without protection on the flanks.

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For Chelsea’s visit to the Emirates Stadium this Saturday, Emery must revert to a back four.

A different system

With a back four, Hector Bellerin and either Sead Koalsinac or Nacho Monreal can take up the right and left full-back berths respectively. Whilst Arsenal’s full-backs should still be encouraged to push forward, as they have the capacity to hurt Chelsea in the final third, their more reserved starting positions ought to help the Gunners fend off the likes of Eden Hazard and Willian, who would otherwise pull the Gunners’ back three apart, as West Ham’s attackers were able to.

What’s more, by dropping a centre-back, Emery would have an extra man to deploy elsewhere on the pitch. This could allow Mesut Ozil to return to the fold and take up the No. 10 role. Otherwise, Lucas Torreira could be brought into the midfield to give the Gunners additional steel in the centre of the park.

In any case, persisting with the 3-4-2-1 formation could be disastrous for Arsenal and Emery.