Arsene Wenger could revert to a back-three in defence, with Shkodran Mustafi available for selection as Arsenal face Liverpool on Friday night.
Arsenal have navigated troubled waters in recent times, narrowly but with aplomb. The Gunners managed to return to winning ways in the Premier League while also managing to book their place in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup. And ahead of their crunch tie against Liverpool, Arsene Wenger has received a personnel boost.
Shkodran Mustafi’s absence had seen the manager return to a back-four – a prospect that has yielded consecutive clean sheets so far. But, with the German set to return to the active lineup, many expect the boss to revert to a back-three. Arsene Wenger addressed the situation in the pre-match conference.
“I have no problem with [playing a back four]. Overall I think that let’s touch wood and focus on everybody defending well, then play with four or five. The good thing is that we are adaptable now and we can play in those systems, we just have to make the right decision on the night.”
WENGER PRESS CONFERENCE:
“He should be fit, to be available for Friday night” – Wenger on the fitness of Shkodran Mustafi
Wenger faces a tough decision on whether to start with a Back 3 or Back 4 to stop the deadly front four of Liverpool. Thoughts? #AFCvLFC #COYG #GunnersApp pic.twitter.com/vSzYymmowI
— Gunners.com (@Gunner5com) December 21, 2017
Aaron Ramsey’s continued absence should see Jack Wilshere start the crunch tie. The Englishman has looked at home in Arsenal’s midfield and should slot in alongside Granit Xhaka.
In case Wenger does revert to a back three, Nacho Monreal should fall back and slot into the defence, with Sead Kolasinac and Hector Bellerin making up the wing-back positions.
With the start of the festive period and as we near the end of the calendar year, Arsene Wenger reflected on how the year has been for Arsenal as a team and what the Gooners can look forward to in the upcoming calendar year.
“It’s been a year where we had an exceptional win in the FA Cup. I feel that there are plenty of things in the side and the squad that are very positive and hopefully when we go into 2018 we can win trophies again.”
“We have won the Community Shield, we have won the FA Cup but we have not qualified for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years. So we want to come back, qualify again and continue to win trophies.”
The trio of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette will be eager to start the packed festive period off with a brilliant performance up front.