Mikel Arteta must play bizarre ‘psychological trick’ on his own Arsenal stars to ensure they sink Emery’s Aston Villa

ARSENAL started the Premier League title defense with a comfortable 3-0 win over newcomers Coventry City. But facing Aston Villa away at Villa Park this weekend presents a completely different tactical puzzle. Mikel Arteta will have to balance his tactics and his man management this season Credit: Getty The tactician has a variety of options at his disposal that could see some surprising changes made from game to game Among Mikel Arteta’s main challenges won’t just be outsmarting his rival manager, but pulling off a psychological trick on his own squad to keep every player bought into his gameplan. SunSport tactical expert Dean Scoggins breaks down the upcoming clash and explained why Arteta’s starting line-ups are no longer set in stone. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! This is going to be the season of flexibility for Arteta. They’ve got such an amazing squad that now it can be horses for courses and when they play against different tactical line-ups, they can do different things. In a new squad system, with this flexibility, if Arteta decides Kai Havertz sits out, he is not going to think the manager has the hump with him. The explanation is Viktor Gyokeres is better suited to running in behind against a team that plays a higher line like Villa. If they’re playing against high lines, Gyokeres is a fabulous option. If it’s a bit more congested, Havertz is your man. The Gunners could also hand a full debut to £51million summer signing Ezri Konsa against his former club. Most read in Sport CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS One contentious position is striker, with Havertz offering a tempting option in tight spaces opposite The England defender brings a unique skill set to Arsenal‘s backline that could completely unpick Villa’s defensive shape. What Konsa brings is elite passing ability — he was number one in the Premier League last season for passes completed. He’s also a ball carrier. If they manage to attract somebody on the press, he carries the ball in and tries to engage that player. A centre-back who can carry and engage midfield players is a real danger because then all of a sudden you’re 1v1 everywhere else. He will play brave passes, he’s elite in duels, and his recovery pace is top class. But Arsenal’s tactical evolution isn’t just about individual line-up changes, but a far less rigid setup in the middle of the park. With the options now available to Arteta, Declan Rice‘s position at the base of the midfield will give the Gunners complete freedom to attack. The key to all this is Rice. The only place an opposition team can counter-attack is in the space out wide. Declan Rice and Ezri Konsa’s flexibility could be key to Arsenal’s build up Rice and Konsa are both able to carry the ball and burst into positions further up the field Rice’s recovery runs mean that even if Villa get three or four in attack, you’re matched up and you’re ok. I see Declan Rice playing at the base of that midfield as the pivot because of those recovery runs much more often. That just means Arsenal can lead more players forward and be more dangerous. Comment now