When Mikel Arteta first arrived at Arsenal, he deployed a back-five system and it was very successful as a short-term option, winning him the 2020 FA Cup. But you feel Arteta’s long-term vision has always been something closer to the formation and style that his mentor Pep Guardiola uses at Manchester City.
It isn’t exactly the same as City’s system but it is similar and it was on show in their 3-2 win at Watford last weekend.
Thomas Partey acts as their deepest midfielder — the nightwatchman who patrols and protects the back four.