Arsenal's New 2025/26 Tactics - Mikel Arteta's Invincibles

Hello!

Today I want to present my replica of the potential Mikel Arteta's new tactical setup for Arsenal for the 2025/26 season, considering the transfer targets they had for the 2025 summer.

I will provide my thoughts and explain the changes as well as the key details of the tactic first, so if you are here for the tactic but not to read, feel free to skip toward the end.

1. Who are Arsenal's targets and how do they contribute to the change in Arteta's setup?

It's clear that in the previous seasons, Mikel deployed a tactic with an inverted wing-back (Myles) who steps up and form a 3-man midfield with Partey sitting deep and Timber slightly ahead and wider. Rice and Odegaard also sit higher to form a 5-man attack. And with Arsenal playing one of the highest defensive line in Europe, they form an overall 2-3-5 shape with the ball in attack, compressing the opposition completely in their half.



But now, with the arrival of Zubimendi and potentially Rodrygo, Hato and Gyokeres (I excluded Kepa because he's just a backup), as well as the departure of Zinchenko, everything seems to have to change up.

2. Let's talk about Rodrygo

Rodrygo is not a winger, he wasn't born to hug the touchline and drive in. His strength isn't his pace, but it's his explosiveness and off the ball runs. His place is in the middle or in the half-space of the flank, especially the right flank, where he plays for Real Madrid. Hold on, right flank? Bukayo! How can we forget. And Bukayo is a prime example of a complete opposite player to Rodrygo - he hugs the flank, then drives in. Exactly like an inverted winger. And I think everyone can see that Arsenal want to bring Rodrygo in not to play in the right, but to play in the left, where Martinelli is playing and, oh no, he is the carbon copy of Saka - also hugs the line and drives in, though he's not as efficient. That's why I believe even with Rodrygo, he isn't suited to the current setup where Martinelli is absolutely isolated and has to take on defenders in 1v1 or 1v2 situations.

So what's the change? Rodrygo on the left will sit slightly narrower in the half-space and find connections with Odegaard. Not exactly an inside forward however, but he will be a creator, additional to Odegaard. I put him as an advance playmaker, because that ensures him not making aimless runs in behind, but rather stay in position to be a link with Odegaard. That means the flank is now open, and that's where the wing back comes in. With Rodrygo, Arsenal now need a runner on the left flank, and I think that's why Arsenal opted to sell Zinchenko as well as trying to bring in Hato for the wing back position. This however, opens up another change in the tactic.



3. Time for Zubimendi

The arrival of Zubimendi means more than just a mere Partey's replacement - he's here to change Arsenal both with and without the ball. With Rodrygo now sitting narrower, the need for an inside runner, like Declan is no longer there. Plus, with the left-back now surging forward, Arsenal need a midfielder sitting deep to cover the space. Declan? That would be a waste to his incredible work rate. And that's where Zubimendi slots in. A deep sitting midfielder to cover the space left behind, a deep lying playmaker. Would he be stepping up slightly to support the attack? I guess so! That's why I opted for him to hold a support role that defend. It's Mikel, he loves having men forward!



4. Not a new signing, but still we have to talk about Rice

So where would Rice be now? With Odegaard now having to shift to the left to connect with Rodrygo, it opens up the space for another man to link with Saka. Declan, with his endless stamina, can be a very dangerous volante, providing inside runs to support Saka. With Rice now surging forward more than ever, Jurrien will be the inverted man and sitting a little deeper to defend counters.



5. Conclusion

In my opinion, with all these changes, Arsenal will somewhat change back into the traditional double pivot setup, a 4-2-3-1 exactly like in the 2021/22 season. This is my overall tactic.



The instructions I want to keep it as simple as possible. Changes will be made according to your likings and the oppositions. In principle, Arsenal play short and high intensive football, pressing very high and will tend to make quick breaks more.



6. Achievements

Results are achieved by quick sim every easy match (I only play the knockout games with the match engine). Because I did not find massive success right in the first season where I couldn't buy anyone, please give the tactic time so your players can settle and get used to it.

1st season - Trophyless, starting to settle the tactic. UCL Quarter-Final, FA Cup Runner-up, Carabao Cup Fourth Round



2nd season - EPL Winner, UCL Winner, FA Cup Fifth Round, Carabao Cup Quarter-Final



3rd season - EPL Winner Invincibles, UCL Quarter-Final, Community Shield Runner-up, Super Cup Runner-up, FA Cup Runner-up, Carabao Cup Winner



Finally, I wish you have fun using this tactic. Any suggestion please feel free to comment. I am always happy to learn more from fellow FMs!