As much as I want to see a change in formation based upon what our end game is intended to be, I think we will stick with the 343 until such time as Arteta feels comfortable with both his options at CB and his cover at DLP/DM.
As such I expect to see much the same lineup in Defence and Midfield as we saw H v LCFC, but perhaps the same shape in the front3 as seen v Dundalk with the 2 WFs playing narrow in the half spaces behind the CF. I think the CMs will be tasked to provide cover to the flanks - even more so if Xhaka is selected as CBL, and the WFs will look to fill the gap between the CM/DMs and the CF. The biggest change I'd expect to see if we do play with a narrow 2 on the AM line, would be a change to the CF role in that they would not need to play as a false9/DLF but could look to play more on the front foot. As such I'd play Laca as a Pressing Forward, PEA as SS and Willian as AM to provide the pass.
Leno
Mustafi - Gabriel - Xhaka
Bellerin - Partey - Ceballos - Tierney
Willian - PEA
Laca
As much as anything I want to see far more verticality in our open play, with less recycling backwards when the ball reaches our WMs, and far greater use of the CMs in terms of our transitional play - not just in regards to playing through the middle, but also in terms of generating overloads on one flank before switching play to the other to drive forward.
