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Really suspect defensively I’d guess. Havertz or Rice in the 8 drops down into the midfield pivot next to the 6 in the 442 defensive shape.
Only time we seem to see Vieira/ESR/Øde/Trossard and similar players at the same time as 8’s is when we’re really chasing a game, and the defensive cover is less of a priority than creation.
that’s the whole point of having inverting FBs though, they help the single pivot out
ESR should be the natural fit as LCM. Havertz I can see the sense of as well.
It’s one of the main advantages of the inverted FB in transition and high press. But once you’re back in established defense the FB falls back to position and one of the 8’s goes down into that position.
I hope they’re working on that with ESR though, seems like he should have the physical attributes for it. As you said his skills seems like a natural fit for the LCM at least in offense. And considering Arteta sent him on when we were chasing Chelsea, I’d assume he trusts him in that part of the pitch.