---
title: "Wright left confused by Emery’s tactical decision against Liverpool – does he have a point?"
canonical: "https://readarsenal.com/2019/08/27/wright-left-confused-by-emerys-tactical-decision-against-liverpool-does-he-have-a-point/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Articles"
published: "2019-08-27T19:30:10Z"
modified: "2019-08-27T21:40:20Z"
---

# Wright left confused by Emery’s tactical decision against Liverpool – does he have a point?

Arsenal lost their 100% start to the season on Saturday after being on the wrong end of a 3-1 scoreline against Liverpool.

After a fairly bright start, the Gunners conceded either side of half-time, with Mohamed Salah grabbing his second goal of the game shortly before the hour mark to end Arsenal’s hopes of a comeback.

![Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/1170065437.jpg)

Substitute Lucas Torreira did pull one back in the closing stages, with Arsenal dropping down to third as a result of the weekend’s fixtures.

Many were left questioning Unai Emery’s decision to go with a diamond formation, including former striker Ian Wright.

Wright, talking to [BBC Radio 5 live’s Monday Night Club, cited by TEAMtalk](https://www.teamtalk.com/news/ian-wright-believes-bizarre-emery-tactic-cost-arsenal-at-liverpool), was asked about the Spaniard’s decision to go with a diamond in midfield, to which he said:

> It was one of the things that I was baffled by. Before the game, I was hoping to see Lacazette, Pepe and Aubameyang as I believe that Liverpool playing with a high line were there for the taking and I was really excited about that.

> And then to see the diamond or triangle given up space to Alexander-Arnold and Robertson was confusing for me.

> I don’t know if he’s doing it because he might use that system against lesser teams and it might work as he wants to keep it narrow.

> I thought against Liverpool it was a tactic that was handing them the incentive and I thought we played a bit too deep.

Does Wright have a point?

* * *

### Read Arsenal verdict

The decision to give Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson the freedom to get forward was certainly a bold one, and ultimately was one that backfired on Emery.

The Reds registered 25 goal attempts compared to the Gunners’ nine, with Liverpool also having 110 dangerous attacks to Arsenal’s 32.

A key reason for that success was due to Alexander-Arnold and Robertson. The influential full-backs were allowed to get forward for large parts, however, if Emery decided to take a midfielder out and include Alexandre Lacazette from the get-go, then maybe the Reds defenders would’ve thought twice about bombing forward.

Arsenal certainly performed better this time around following the 5-1 drubbing last season, but things could’ve been so much better for the Gunners if they had set up differently.

It’ll definitely be an area Emery looks into ahead of the return fixture next May.