Arsenal

How Arsenal could line up with Philippe Coutinho

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 06 August 2019

Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho is being linked with a move to Arsenal, but how may the Brazilian fit into Unai Emery's starting lineup?

There was a time earlier this summer when Arsenal supporters would have been fearing the worst when it came to their activity in the transfer market.

A wide range of reports suggested that Unai Emery would be restricted to a £45m budget for new players, unless the Spaniard was successful in getting some of the biggest earners off the wage bill.

However, even though Dani Ceballos and Nicolas Pepe have arrived from Real Madrid and Lille respectively, it has been claimed that the Gunners hope to make at least one more high-profile addition before Thursday's deadline.

While priority is being placed on acquiring a new centre-back, speculation persists regarding a potential approach for Coutinho, who will be allowed to leave Barcelona this summer.

Emery has dismissed the possibility of bringing in the Brazilian playmaker, although there is every indication that the former Liverpool man wishes to return to the Premier League.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at how Coutinho could feature in Emery's starting lineup if he arrives at the Emirates Stadium.

While Coutinho would ideally like to play in the number 10 role, Emery already has options for that area of the pitch, increasingly the likelihood of the creator being used out wide.

Emery must also consider the defensive make-up of his side, meaning that it is unlikely that any two of Ceballos, Mesut Ozil and Coutinho could be used in two central positions.

The best resolution may be to leave Ceballos as the most advanced of a midfield three, with Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira left to do the dirty work in the middle third of the pitch.

That would leave Coutinho to feature on the left flank, although the 27-year-old would have the option of moving inside with Sead Kolasinac one of the most attacking full-backs in the Premier League.

With Pepe effectively guaranteed a role on the right, Emery would have to choose between Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexander Lacazette for the lone striker position.

Having finished as joint-top goalscorer in England's top flight during the most recent campaign, the former would expect to get the nod from his manager.