Shift in the Formation

After the Man United and Chelsea games, where Arsenal conceded 3 of the 5 goals on counter attacks, Arsene Wenger made a slight tactical shift in the 4-3-3 formation. 2 of the midfielders, Diaby and Song against Liverpool, and Ramsey and Song against Sunderland now playing a deeper role, with Fabregas playing further forward.

by Guardian Chalkboards
Diaby dropped back against Liverpool



The formation is now basically a 4-2-3-1, or a 4-2-1-3, with Fabregas in the hole. That is a role that he didn't play well in towards the end of last year, but this year he has developed into a more rounded player, as Arsene Wenger remarked:

He is a complete midfielder.

"He has become a complete midfielder because he can defend now, he has kept his vision and I believe he has added some physical power to his game.

"If you compare Fabregas two years ago and today, physically they are completely different.

Song still remains the slightly deeper player, but has shifted to the right of the midfield, which gives the full back leeway to get forward, as Eboue did last Saturday. At times it has appeared that Fabregas is playing as a striker, or at least a ponta da lança, and as the front line is missing creativity with no Van Persie or Arshavin, Fabrgas playing that high can effective.

by Guardian Chalkboards

Seen here, Fabregas is playing much higher than Song against Sunderland, almost as a striker.