Does chasing Rodriguez imply that Arsene Wenger is working towards a new system?

Is Wenger about to change his tactical set-up? Ricardo Rodriguez could help.

I don’t want to start off my first article by claiming to be an ITK but based on reports in Germany, Arsenal are circling around talented Swiss full-back Ricardo Rodriguez.

Since signing his Swiss counterpart last month, Arsenal have been linked with one of the most talented left-backs on the continent in the form of Ricardo Rodriguez. While it might be perceived as a ‘luxury’ purchase, it does make sense.

Nacho Monreal has been in the form of his life for the past 18 months or so but he’s going to turn 31 during the upcoming season, and although Kieran Gibbs has performed ok when called upon, he hasn’t had enough game time and is looking to leave. In the 2015/16 season, Gibbs played just 593 minutes (PL and CL) which simply isn’t enough for a player who should be in the prime of his career and targeting international caps. I believe it’s time for both parties to move on, especially if Arsenal could sign a 23 year-old who in my opinion will exceed Monreal, particularly in the attacking output. His defensive numbers from 15/16 aren’t as impressive Monreal’s but attacking-wise, he surpasses him in key passes, completed crosses and successful dribbles per 90.

Crossing ability like his could play even more to the strengths of Olivier Giroud. Rodriguez is also a pretty good set-piece taker being first choice on free-kicks and penalties at Wolfsburg.

Monreal vs Rodriguez 2015/16

Monreal

Rodriguez

Credit: @fussballradars

Recent reports in the German media have suggested that Arsenal are among the clubs considering activating the £19million release clause in Rodriguez’s contract, with Wolfsburg’s sporting directing saying he wants to leave the club and the player himself stating that it would be exciting to join Arsenal. Arsenal should manage to secure a deal of around £10million for Gibbs, thus the Rodriguez signing would be at -£9million (excluding salary/signing fees).

What does this mean tactically for Arsenal?

I’m not going to discuss Arsenal’s poor organization, both in and out of possession that no signing can fix (not even Xhaka, sorry. I’ll save this for another day) instead I’ll speak about the formation and set-up. Since the days of Cesc Fabregas, Arsene Wenger has mostly relied on a 4-2-3-1 set-up built around the main playmaker and a couple of central midfielders who compliment each other with Arteta and Ramsey in 13/14 and Coquelin and Cazorla in the second half of 14/15 and the opening of 15/16. (Lets forget about the time he tried to copy Germany’s setup from the 2014 World Cup where he tried to fit Ramsey and Wilshere in the CM positions and Ozil out wide).

If Wenger does stick with the current 4-2-3-1 shape, it would pretty much mean that Monreal and Rodriguez would battle for the LB position but having Rodriguez over Gibbs offers much more tactical flexibility. Whilst Gibbs has performed at a consistent level during his Arsenal career, he isn’t better than Monreal defensively and doesn’t offer the same attacking output as Rodriguez.

Signing Rodriguez could also imply that Arsene is working towards a system consisting of two attacking full-backs with Bellerin and Rodriguez on the flanks and still have Ozil in his best position, a counter-attacking 4-1-2-1-2 diamond perhaps? Maybe even going back to his early Arsenal days and working with a shape consisting of 5-3-2?

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It’s reasonable to think that Arsene is working towards a system based around two strikers as Alexis has had success for Chile playing as part of two upfront and the continuous rumors of Jamie Vardy about to join, who was successful playing alongside someone in Leicester’s incredible season. Let’s not forget Xhaka who’s capable of finding either forward with Alonso-esque passes. Whatever is going through Arsene Wenger’s mind, it is clear that having two contrasting players competing for one position offers more opportunities for tactical adjustments over the course of a season.

Diamonds are forever?

Or maybe 5 at the back like 97/98

To me, it seems like Wenger’s most successful teams thrive at executing rapid attacking transitions instead of struggling to play like some type of Guardiola-lite side in a 4-3-3 set-up which can’t control space, counter press or control possession.

Related Story: Analyzing Grant Xhaka's tactical impact

With the potential signing of the Swiss full-back, it looks like Wenger is trying to create a team based around the former strategy. Good full-backs are hard to find, especially young ones and Arsenal could have two of the best U23 full-backs on the continent. Lastly, Arsenal should sign Ricardo Rodriguez because he kind of looks like a pirate.