Gary Neville urges Arsenal to go back to basics ahead of Man United clash
By Story Agencies, August 28, 2023Arsenal need to stop trying to be innovative with their tactics and get back to basics ahead of their clash with Manchester United, says Gary Neville.
Joao Palhinha stunned the Gunners with a late equaliser on Saturday as 10-player Fulham came back to claim a dramatic 2-2 draw at the Emirates and end their hosts’ perfect start to the Premier League season.
How Arsenal use Partey
Mikel Arteta decided to employ Thomas Partey in a hybrid full-back role for the third game running as he looks for the right balance to help accommodate new signings Declan Rice and Kai Havertz.
Neville said on the Gary Neville Podcast that he wants to see Arteta go back to a system that suited Arsenal so well last season when they face Manchester United on Super Sunday.
He said: “Looking at Arsenal, there’s an element of experimentation for Thomas Partey playing as a full-back and a midfielder. Sometimes there’s an element of going back to basics.
“I think Mikel Arteta will end that experiment against Manchester United. Get back to something that resembles what a team looks like. Innovation is fantastic but the balance of a team is so important. I love seeing new things but sometimes an idea can evolve into something that doesn’t work.
Arsenal’s big test
“There’s a little bit of that with Arsenal. They need to get back to being a 4-3-3 team. It’s a big test for United as all three of their performances have been below par and if you are below par at the Emirates, you will get beaten. But Arsenal need to sort themselves out and get back into a shape that suits them and they are more familiar with.”