Arsenal could welcome Alexis Sanchez back into the starting XI at Liverpool... but how will he fit alongside new boy Alexandre Lacazette?

  • Alexis Sanchez's return for Arsenal at Anfield has created a tactical conundrum
  • Arsene Wenger must decide how the Chilean fits alongside Alexandre Lacazette
  • Here Sportsmail offers some suggestions on how Arsenal will set-up at Liverpool

Arsene Wenger's confirmation that Alexis Sanchez will return to the Arsenal squad to face Liverpool at Anfield has created a tactical conundrum.

Sanchez has missed the opening two games of the season as he rebuilt his fitness after picking up an abdominal injury on his return from his summer break and the Confederations Cup.

At his pre-match press conference ahead of this weekend's trip to Liverpool, Wenger said: 'The early team news is that [Laurent] Koscielny is back for selection [following suspension] and Sanchez has worked very hard to be back again and he is available as well.

Star man Alexis Sanchez's return for Arsenal at Liverpool has created a tactical conundrum

Star man Alexis Sanchez's return for Arsenal at Liverpool has created a tactical conundrum

With Alexandre Lacazette now leading the line, Sanchez's role in the side has changed a little

With Alexandre Lacazette now leading the line, Sanchez's role in the side has changed a little

'He is working hard, is focused and is giving everything. It's always difficult to stop him. He looks ready, he's not played for a long time. I have to decide what to do with him, but he's ready to play.


'We have to make that decision [on whether to start Sanchez]. It's Thursday today, the match is on Sunday. He's worked very hard and he looks in good shape.'

If Sanchez returns to the starting XI at Anfield the questions moves on to where he will fit in alongside big-money summer arrival Alexandre Lacazette and how Wenger will line-up his team. Here Sportsmail puts forward a few of Wenger's options.

Manager Arsene Wenger must decided whether to stick or twist with his tactical set-up

Manager Arsene Wenger must decided whether to stick or twist with his tactical set-up

 

Sanchez slots into the 3-4-2-1

The most obvious choice for Wenger would be to keep with the formation that he has started the season with. 

The return of Laurent Koscielny from suspension sees Arsenal's best defender come into the middle of the back three, with Shkodran Mustafi and Sead Kolasinac either side.

The midfield and wing-backs remain the same as they were in the defeat at Stoke, allowing Sanchez to come straight in for Danny Welbeck behind Lacazette.

The role behind the main striker was the one Arsenal fans were most used to seeing Sanchez in before last season, when Wenger used him as the centre forward at the expense of Olivier Giroud. With Lacazette brought in to be the focal point Sanchez could resume his former position, seeing the Chilean working in tandem with Mesut Ozil just off the front-man.

Nominally named on the right of the two support players, Sanchez would be free to roam, as is his want.

 

Wenger goes back to go forward

Late last season Wenger joined the Antonio Conte revolution and switched to a back three system to pretty good effect. The Gunners won nine of their last 10 games, including the FA Cup final at Wembley.

Before Wenger's tactical pivot the 4-2-3-1 was his favoured formation.

Last summer Wenger wanted Jamie Vardy to play at the top of this set-up but after missing out on the Leicester man, he eventually had to settle for flop Lucas Perez instead.

Now with a Vardy-style striker who has the speed to get in behind opposition defences and run the channels in Lacazette, Wenger may want to revert to his old tactical plan now his best players are all back and available for selection. 

With Lacazette able to stretch the field it would give Sanchez and Ozil more room to operate in the pockets of space left behind. 

Especially against the weaker sides at home, where a back three is less of a necessity, this formation would allow for more attacking players further up the pitch to break down stubborn defences.

 

Another option...

A more traditional 4-3-3 again sees Sanchez stationed on the right of a front trio.

It is similar to Wenger's current back three system but with a more traditional four-man defence.

In theory this formation would see the central midfielders, Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, take up narrower positions in front of Granit Xhaka. That would push Sanchez and Ozil into operating from wide.

In practice that is unlikely but it would give Wenger a more solid look in central midfield.

Given how Premier League sides have moved away from this formation in recent times it would be a surprise to see Wenger pick it up again now.