Prior to the match we said we wanted to see a response from Arteta, not just in regards to the loss to Villa but also in regards to our creativity issues and lack of goals etc, and we did.
He changed the formation from the 343 to a 4231. He dropped Lacazette and moved PEA to CF. He gave started to Pepe and Willock. Had Saka not played so much during the international break he may have started ahead of Willian, and Luiz was unavailable following the birth of his child (congrats).
Did the changes work = not as intended. Despite the change of shape and an extra body in the centre, we still persisted in looking to play via the flanks with less than 25% of our play going through the centre. This may have been a direction so as to provide some familiarity to out play regardless of the changes, or it may have been indicative of the issues regarding the lack of availability of Partey or Elneny as part of the twin pivot. The coming games may give some indication as to which.
Speaking of the twin pivot in hindsight the 4231 may not be the best option if Partey or Elneny are not available to provide progression of the ball. This is not a criticism of Willock as anyone at CAM would be equally neutered if we cannot progress the ball from the middle 3rd. In such instances a midfield3 may be more effective with one of Saka/Willock/AMN to provide that drive on the ball and looking to get into the final 3rd.
PEA moved to CF and managed to have as many shots at goal as he has had in the last couple of games combined. That said his move did not resolve the core issue regarding the lack of ball into the forwards, nor the lack of movement by the forwards ahead of the ball. Perhaps Arteta needs to take a leaf from Cruyff's approach & as seen with Guardiola at Barca, whereby the front3 are given a free reign once the ball is in the final 3rd? However whilst this may improve our movement we firstly need to get the ball forward with more regularity and pace in transition.
Lastly it is unlikely we will see similar scope of change in the coming games, as we will still be without Elneny, Pepe is now suspended, and it is possible that both Willian and Saka have picked up knocks and may not be available. Likewise we have no indication as to when Partey is likely to be available or if he is even back training as yet.