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da premier bet： Arsenal fell to a 3-1 defeat to bitter rivals Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Friday night in an FA cup fourth round clash.
The Gunners have been dumped out of the cup, and also saw centre-backs Laurent Koscielny and Sokratis forced off the pitch with injuries. In his post-match press conference (arsenal.com), Unai Emery could not be certain as to the extent of these injuries, but both could certainly be absent for Tuesday’s Premier League meeting with Cardiff City.
If Sokratis and Koscielny are to be on the treatment table with fellow defenders Rob Holding (arsenal.com) and Hector Bellerin (Sky Sports), then Emery will have to devise a plan for protecting his weakened rearguard.
Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin may be out for the season but it’s given him a chance to show off his new accesory. Check out the video below to see for yourself…
On the chalkboard
Arsenal need to pack their midfield in deep areas to ensure they win the battle against Cardiff in the middle of the park. In doing so, they shall also offer their defence a much-needed layer of protection.
Emery employed this tactic for his side’s recent 2-0 triumph over Chelsea. On that occasion, he fielded a central trio of Granit Xhaka, Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi. The same three ought to be called on again to reprise this system against the Bluebirds.
Emery has taken stick for setting his side up too defensively at times this season, and fans may not want to see three defensive midfielders start at home against a side locked in a relegation battle, but the boss simply must protect whatever makeshift back four he selects.
Maintaining an edge
Packing the midfield does mean that Arsenal lose a man from their attack. However, Emery ought to be able to place his faith in the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette to be able to find a way through Cardiff anyway.
What’s more, playing with three deep midfielders, all offering cover for any vacated spaces at the back, gives the Gunners’ full-backs license to push forward into attacking areas with security. Sead Kolasinac can then be effective for Arsenal in the final third, ensuring that Emery’s side maintain their attacking edge despite being an attacker short.