Despite the excitement of Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City, if there was one thing that become so obvious afterwards was the Gunners' need for a new formation.

It's no secret that Arsene Wenger needed to bring in capable holding midfielder in the team before the summer transfer window ended. Now the window is closed, without the addition of a new player, Wenger is effectively stuck with a bunch of midfielders who either don't play as an anchorman or, quite frankly, aren't very good at it.

On paper it would seem that the 4-1-4-1 formation used against City last weekend would be more balanced than the one utilised in last season’s 6-3 annihilation. But although the Gunners managed to make a big improvement on that defeat, it still wasn't effective enough.

There were a number of reason that point to the need for a new formation at the Emirates. This current 4-1-4-1 formation that the Gunners have started the season using instantly points to the ‘defensive midfielder’ role in an isolated position just ahead of the back four.

Matheiu Flamini was assigned that holding role but, when the full backs were bombing forward leaving gaps in the defence, he failed to cover and left Arsenal vulnerable at the back and more open to dangerous counter attacks.

What this formation also promotes is a flat midfield with two wide-men playing on the outside of the central midfielders. While this could be effective for other teams it just isn’t right for the Arsenal team that was named against City, particularly with Mesut Ozil playing out wide.

The formation had Ozil - one of the best playmakers in world football and a World Cup winner – playing as a wide-man. £42million was paid for him to play the number 10 role NOT to be used as a winger. Arsene Wenger needs to build a team around the German, but he will continue to be the fall guy should Wenger persist in playing him in a position that not only renders him ineffective, but also seriously affects his development as a player.

He looks slow and tired playing out of position and, for him to be at his most effective, he has to be in the middle of the park playing behind the striker creating goalscoring chances.

Against their title and top four rivals, Arsenal need to have the defence and attackers understand their roles in an effective formation working together cohesively, and should begin with finding a worthwhile holding midfielder and playing Ozil as a number 10.

Only then will the Gunners faithful be able to appreciate the top class talent Arsene Wenger has at his disposal.

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