Arsenal haven’t been entirely convincing in the opening weeks of the 2023/24 season, yet following the dramatic 3-1 win over Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, they have headed into the international break as one of four teams on 10 points from four games.
The Gunners came close to winning the Premier League title last season, only for Manchester City to hit into top gear at the business end and snatch away the piece of silverware from under their noses. They finished five points behind Man City and have to improve—evolve or risk getting left behind.
The Mikel Arteta-managed side’s early-season performances haven’t been great, to say the least, but the way the team has churned out results amid difficult situations should fuel optimism among the fans that they can challenge City for the league title once again. With that being said, here are three things we have learned watching Arsenal across the opening four games of the 2023/24 season.
- Tweaks in set-up
Mikel Arteta has raised eyebrows during the opening weeks of the season after tweaking a set-up that got them so close to winning the title last season. He has used Thomas Partey as a right-back, moved Ben White to his natural position in central defence albeit at the expense of Gabriel and even used Jakub Kiwior at left-back.
Which is why, in what has been an unimpressive start to the season, fans and pundits have been somewhat bewildered to see Arteta tweak his successful formula and start again. But against Man United, he appeared to go back to his successful formula that saw Gabriel return to the fold to partner William Saliba in the heart of Arsenal’s defence, with Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko restored at full-back.
A big question is whether the Arsenal manager had planned to go back to basics against United anyway, or whether an injury to Partey forced his hand. It will be interesting to see whether Arteta sticks with this set-up when the Premier League resumes after the international break.
- Kai Havertz conundrum
Kai Havertz arrived at the Emirates Stadium this summer in a £65m deal from Chelsea, where he had struggled to showcase his best form in three years. The German has started each of Arsenal’s four league games this season but has seen his poor form carry over, with the deal drawing intense scrutiny from fans and pundits alike.
His role at Arsenal still remains undefined. Arteta signed Havertz with a view to turning him into an attack-minded central midfielder, an upgrade on the departed Granit Xhaka, but the results haven’t yet arrived. It is clear Arteta has a unique vision in his mind for the Germany international as he seeks to help the player unlock his true potential.
If the desired performances don’t come from the player after the international break, it will be interesting to see how long Arteta persists with Havertz.
- Arsenal’s flexibility
One thing that has been thoroughly spoken about during Arsenal’s opening weeks of the new season is their squad depth and flexibility, with Arteta capable of utilising players in different roles.
Havertz was used up top in Gabriel Jesus’ injury absence against Man City in the Community Shield. Throughout the opening weeks of the new season, the German has played as a left-sided attacking midfielder. Also, Leandro Trossard was tried as a false 9 against Fulham, but the move didn’t work out and Arteta reverted to using Eddie Nketiah up top against Man United.
Partey, a central midfielder by trade, started the first three games at right-back before getting injured ahead of the game against United. Jurrien Timber, predominantly known as a centre-back or a right-back, had started Arsenal’s season opener against Nottingham Forest at left-back before suffering a serious knee injury.
This versatility and interchangeability sets the Gunners well up for a long and taxing campaign where injuries, suspensions and fatigue may force Arteta’s hand into resting, rotating players and roles.
