In a new series of articles, FantasySports.co.uk will analyse the likely formation and performance impact that players would have on some of the Premier League’s greatest clubs. Today, we ask the question: ‘How will Belgian midfielder Yannick Carrasco fit in at Arsenal?’
Our analysis series is to assist Fantasy Premier League managers in understanding the impact Yannick Carrasco could have in the English top-flight.
Analysis: How will Belgian midfielder Yannick Carrasco fit in at Arsenal?
The Mirror reports Arsenal have “agreed” terms with China’s Dalian Yifang for the signature of Belgian midfielder Yannick Carrasco. The former Atletico Madrid midfielder is believed to have agreed a £25 million transfer after just a season and a half with Dalian.
Carrasco moved to China after falling down the pecking order at the Wanda Metropolitano in February 2018. In his first season in China, Carrasco tallied seven goals and nine assists in 25 games.
This season, Carrasco has already scored seven goals and contributed two assists in 10 Chinese Super League matches.
His form in the Far East has piqued several clubs’ interest. Manchester United were rumoured to be after Carrasco’s signature at one time but it looks like Arsenal could land the midfielder.
Where will Yannick Carrasco play in Arsenal’s team?
Carrasco was originally linked with Arsenal last January, however, they signed Denis Suarez on a loan deal instead. Suarez barely got off the Arsenal bench, and when he did, he did very little for the Gunners.
The Belgian should provide Arsenal with far more quality on the left side of the midfield. Carrasco had built a strong reputation at Atletico Madrid for his creativity and ability to score goals cutting in from the left.
Carrasco registered 23 goals and 17 assists in 124 matches with Atletico Madrid. It was another steady stats collection that continued on his previous work at Monaco. There, he totalled 20 goals and 24 assists in 103 matches.
When he left Atletico Madrid, however, Carrasco had worn out his welcome with manager Diego Simeone. It wasn’t due to his personality, rather Carrasco’s style of being a flair player and not grafter wasn’t suited to Simone’s tactics.
According to Whoscored.com, Arsenal played a 4-2-3-1 formation 17 times in the Premier League last season. This formation would give Carrasco the opportunity to play on the left wing and challenge full-backs in one on one situations.
It would also allow him to cut in on his right-hand side to combine with teammates.
Arsenal’s second-most used formation in the Premier League was a 3-4-2-1. This would not play to Carrasco’s strengths and ask him to do too much defensive work. Manager Unai Emery may have deployed this formation as an alternative when his first-choice attackers were unavailable.
Emery did use his 3-4-2-1 formation six times during the Europa League campaign.
There is no doubt Carrasco would offer Arsenal an upgrade on the left side of midfield. The club has already said goodbye to Danny Welbeck and Aaron Ramsey, and now, they need to bring in high-quality replacements.
Carrasco may be the first but he certainly should be the last if Arsenal want to return to the top four.
