According to recent reports from Adrian Durham (Talksport) Juan Mata will join Arsenal on a free deal.
This means Spaniard will become the second representative of Manchester United under Jose Mourinho to leave Old Trafford and join Gunners.
Reports suggest that Mata wants to work with Unai Emery, who was his manager in Valencia.
Arsenal will become Mata’s 3rd Premier League team after Chelsea and Manchester United.
So how can Gunners lineup having Mata, Ozil, Mkhitaryan, Iwobi, Lacazette and Aubameyang in their squad.
Option #1
Role of winger
Mata can also play a role of a winger.
Unai Emery usually uses 4-2-3-1 in his team with 2 central midfielders, one playmaker, two players from left and right and one forward. If Ozil stays in his position (#10), this means Mata can play either from left or from right. The main difference of Spanish international and Mesut Ozil is that Mata is better in terms of pressing, while Ozil prefers freedom and lacks pressing abilities during all 90 minutes.
Juan Mata playing from right against Bournemouth (Whoscored.com)
Option #2
Rotation for Ozil
Mata can be used as a playmaker. As Arsenal are fighting for top 4, they may have a hard and long season next year. For this Unai Emery may consider rotation during the matches.
Mata, known originally as a playmaker, can fit to Unai Emery’s system due of his La Liga and Spain national team background.
Option #3
The Santi Cazorla role
Santi Cazorla used to play in the center with one defensive midfielder. Arsene Wenger loved to use him in that position so that Cazorla can control the ball and start attacks from center or even from deeper positions.
Mata is well known for his passing abilities. He can either use a long ball for counter attacks, or short passes for controlling the situation.
This means Mata can be used with Granit Xhaka or Lucas Torreira. Also, Emery may sometimes switch from 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3 and use a trio of central midfielders to be more compact when defending and more aggressive in counter-attacks.
