(Image) 3 likely formations Wenger could use fitting in Mkhitaryan, Aubameyang, Ozil and Lacazette
Arsenal are reportedly close to signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan as part of the deal which will see Alexis Sanchez moving to Manchester United. In addition to this, they are also reportedly close to signing one of the world’s most quick forwards in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Gunners know that they will have to sign a new high-profile forward given that Sanchez will soon depart the club and Aubameyang certainly is a player who fans can be proud of.
Despite the big loss of Sanchez, Arsenal fans can be positive that good times may lay ahead. While Alexandre Lacazette has managed 8 goals from 25 appearances for the London club so far, Aubameyang is arguably one of the best forwards in the world and has netted 21 times from 23 appearances so far for Dortmund this season.
The Gunners have used a back four for the majority of the season but switched to a three-man defence after they were humbled 3-0 by Crystal Palace in April. After this change was implemented, they went on to win the FA Cup, defeating Manchester City in the semi-finals and Chelsea in the final.
Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan formed a good partnership during their days together at Borussia Dortmund and went on to score a combined 62 goals during the 2015-16 season. Wenger could opt to use the Armenia national team captain in the inside-right position with Ozil playing in the number 10 role behind Aubameyang.
Below are some possible ways in which Arsenal could line up with the additions of Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang.
5-3-1-1
Arsenal’s summer signing Lacazette has not been in the best of forms recently as he has failed to find the back of the net in his last 9 appearances. So one option which manager Arsene Wenger has is to drop the Frenchman to the bench. Wenger can use Aubameyang up front, with Mesut Ozil/Mkhitaryan sitting just behind him.
4-4-2 (Diamond)
As he will have two world-class strikers in his side, Wenger could be tempted to play both of them up front and deploy Mkhitaryan/Ozil behind them. However, this formation is unlikely as it could lead to the Gunners conceding a lot of goals, given that it will put a lot of pressure on Granit Xhaka, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey, considering that neither midfielder is particularly defensive minded.
4-3-3
If Wenger wants to deploy both Lacazette and Aubameyang and at the same time prevent his side from leaking goals, he could opt to play one forward up front and one cutting in from the left. Neither striker has vast experience of playing in such a role, though Aubameyang has done so previously.