Arsenal PES 2018: Best Formations & Tactics

Hey guys! Let's dive deep into the world of Arsenal in PES 2018. If you're looking to dominate with the Gunners on the virtual pitch, you've come to the right place. We're going to break down the best formations, key players, and tactical approaches to make your Arsenal side a force to be reckoned with. It's all about understanding how to leverage the strengths of the squad and mitigate any weaknesses. Think of this as your ultimate guide to bringing Premier League glory to the Emirates in PES 2018. We'll explore everything from setting up your defensive shape to orchestrating devastating attacking moves. So, grab your controller, settle in, and let's get ready to unleash the full potential of Arsenal!

Unpacking the Arsenal PES 2018 Squad

When we talk about Arsenal in PES 2018, it's crucial to first understand the players at your disposal. The squad offers a blend of pace, technical ability, and decent finishing, though perhaps lacking the sheer defensive solidity of some rivals. Forwards like Alexis Sánchez and Alexandre Lacazette are your go-to guys for goals, boasting excellent dribbling and shooting stats. Their partnership, if utilized effectively, can be a nightmare for opposing defenses. Midfield maestro Mesut Özil remains the creative hub, capable of unlocking defenses with his incredible vision and passing range. On the wings, Theo Walcott (though perhaps less prominent in this iteration) and Alex Iwobi offer different flavors of speed and trickery. Defensively, you've got solid options like Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi at center-back, with Hector Bellerin providing pace and overlapping runs from right-back. The midfield engine room, often featuring Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey, needs careful management to balance defensive duties with attacking contributions. Understanding these player attributes is the first step towards building a winning strategy. We're not just talking about selecting the best players; it's about how they fit together within a system. The chemistry between players, their preferred positions, and their unique skill sets all play a role. For instance, Bellerin's attacking intent needs to be balanced by a more defensively minded midfielder or full-back on the opposite side, ensuring you don't get caught out on the counter. Lacazette's predatory instincts are best served by players who can create chances for him, like Özil or a winger making a clever run. Sánchez, on the other hand, is a more versatile threat who can drop deep, go wide, or play centrally, offering tactical flexibility. Even the goalkeeping situation, often featuring Petr Čech, requires attention. While experienced, his reflexes might not be what they once were, meaning a solid defensive screen is all the more important. So, before we even get to formations, take some time to familiarize yourself with each player's stats and preferred roles. This foundational knowledge will make all the difference when you start tinkering with tactics and formations.

Formations to Conquer with Arsenal

Choosing the right formation is paramount in PES 2018, and for Arsenal, several options can unlock their attacking potential. The 4-3-3 is a classic and often effective choice. This formation provides width through your wingers, a solid midfield trio for control and passing, and two advanced forwards to support the main striker. It allows your wingers to stretch the play, creating space for Lacazette or Sánchez to operate in the center. The midfield three can be configured to offer a balance of creativity and steel. A holding midfielder can screen the defense, while two more advanced midfielders can link up with the attack. Another strong contender is the 4-2-3-1. This formation offers a slightly more structured attacking approach, with a dedicated attacking midfielder (think Özil) pulling the strings behind a lone striker. The two holding midfielders provide a strong base, allowing the full-backs to push forward with more confidence. This setup is excellent for possession-based play and for isolating defenders. For those who prefer a more direct and aggressive style, a 3-5-2 or 5-3-2 could even be considered, especially if you have strong wing-backs who can provide both defensive cover and attacking impetus. This formation allows for numerical superiority in midfield, which can be crucial for controlling the game. However, it requires wing-backs with exceptional stamina and defensive discipline. The key is to find a formation that suits your playstyle and the specific strengths of your Arsenal players. Don't be afraid to experiment! What works for one player might not work for another. For instance, if you find your midfield getting overrun in a 4-3-3, you might want to switch to a 4-2-3-1 to add an extra body in front of the defense. Conversely, if you're struggling to create chances with a 4-2-3-1, a 4-3-3 might offer more attacking options through its wider setup. Consider the attributes of your players. If you have fast wingers, a 4-3-3 or 4-1-2-3 could be perfect. If you have a creative CAM like Özil, the 4-2-3-1 becomes a natural fit. If your full-backs are attack-minded, a formation that provides defensive cover for them, like a 3-5-2, might be worth exploring. Ultimately, the best formation is the one that allows you to consistently create scoring opportunities while remaining defensively sound. We'll delve into the specific player roles within these formations next, but for now, pick one that feels intuitive and start practicing. Remember, PES is a game of adjustments, so be prepared to tweak your formation on the fly based on the flow of the match and your opponent's tactics.

The 4-3-3 Formation

The 4-3-3 formation for Arsenal in PES 2018 is a fantastic choice for teams that like to play an expansive, attacking game. It provides a great balance between defense and offense, allowing you to control the midfield while still having plenty of attacking threats. At the back, you'll have a standard back four: two center-backs and two full-backs. The full-backs, especially someone like Hector Bellerin on the right, can be instructed to push forward and provide width in attack, overlapping with the wingers. In midfield, the three players are crucial. You could opt for a formation like a 4-1-2-3, where you have a dedicated defensive midfielder (like Granit Xhaka when played in that role), two central midfielders who can contribute to both defense and attack (perhaps Aaron Ramsey and another box-to-box type), and then your front three. Alternatively, a 4-3-3 with three more balanced midfielders can work if you have players who are good all-rounders. The key here is ensuring at least one midfielder has strong defensive capabilities to screen the back four effectively. Your front three is where the magic happens. You’ll want a pacey striker like Alexandre Lacazette through the middle, flanked by two speedy and skillful wingers. Alexis Sánchez can play on either wing or even as a false nine, while other options can provide different types of threats. The wingers' role is to hug the touchlines, stretch the opposition defense, and deliver crosses or cut inside to shoot. This formation allows for quick transitions from defense to attack, utilizing the pace of your wide players. It's also excellent for possession play, as the midfield three can dominate the center of the park, recycling possession and looking for openings. When attacking, encourage your wingers to stay wide and your full-backs to overlap. Your central midfielders should look to play quick, incisive passes to break lines. The striker needs to be alert to knock-downs and crosses. Defensively, when possession is lost, the pressing should be initiated by the front three, supported by the midfielders, to try and win the ball back high up the pitch. The midfield three must track back diligently to prevent counter-attacks through the center.

The 4-2-3-1 Formation

The 4-2-3-1 formation for Arsenal in PES 2018 is another top-tier choice, especially if you want to build your attack around a central attacking midfielder. This formation provides a strong defensive base with two holding midfielders, often referred to as a double pivot. This pairing offers excellent protection for your back four, allowing your full-backs more freedom to join the attack. Upfront, you have a lone striker, who can be a target man or a poacher depending on your preference. Behind the striker is your attacking midfielder, the playmaker. This is the perfect role for Mesut Özil, where he can operate in the space between the opposition's midfield and defense, dictating play and creating chances. The wingers in a 4-2-3-1 typically play slightly narrower than in a 4-3-3, allowing them to link up more effectively with the attacking midfielder and the striker. This can create intricate passing triangles and make your attack more cohesive. The double pivot in midfield is crucial. These players need to be defensively sound and possess good passing ability. They break up opposition attacks, recycle possession, and initiate attacks. Players like Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey can fill these roles, offering a good blend of physicality and passing. When attacking, the key is to utilize the space Özil can find. Feed him the ball, and let him work his magic. The wingers should look to make runs into the box or create overloads on the flanks. The striker needs to be a focal point, holding up play or making runs in behind. The full-backs can provide width and overlap when the opportunity arises. Defensively, the 4-2-3-1 is very solid. The two holding midfielders create a barrier, making it difficult for opponents to play through the middle. The front four (striker and three attacking midfielders) can press effectively, forcing opponents wide or into mistakes. It’s a formation that balances defensive security with potent attacking play, especially when you have a creative genius like Özil in the number 10 role.

Key Player Roles and Instructions

Beyond formations, assigning the correct roles and instructions to your Arsenal players in PES 2018 is what truly makes a tactical setup sing. Let's break down some key positions. Your striker, whether it's Alexandre Lacazette or Alexis Sánchez in a central role, needs to be set up for success. For Lacazette, focusing on 'Poacher' or 'Advanced Forward' roles makes sense, with instructions to 'Get In Behind' and 'Stay Forward' to maximize his goal-scoring opportunities. If you're using Sánchez centrally, 'False Nine' can be effective, drawing defenders out and creating space for midfielders to run into. Your attacking midfielder (CAM), most notably Mesut Özil, is your chief creator. Assign him the 'Classic No. 10' or 'Deep-Lying Playmaker' role. Key instructions should include 'Stay in Position' to ensure he's always available for a pass, but also 'Free Roam' to allow him to find pockets of space. Encourage him to 'Take More Risks' with his passes. For your wingers, versatility is key. If you want width, 'Winger' or 'Wide Midfielder' roles are good. Instructions like 'Stay Wide' and 'Cross from Deep' can be effective. If you prefer them to cut inside, 'Inside Forward' is the way to go, with instructions to 'Cut Inside' and 'Get Into Box'. Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka are your midfield workhorses. In a 4-3-3, Xhaka could be a 'Ball Winning Midfielder' or 'Anchor Man', with 'Stay Back While Attacking'. Ramsey can be a 'Box-to-Box Midfielder', tasked with covering ground and supporting both defense and attack. In a 4-2-3-1, they'd form your double pivot. One could be more defensive ('Anchored Midfielder') while the other is more dynamic ('Box-to-Box'). For your full-backs, like Hector Bellerin, you'll want to decide if they are attacking outlets or defensive stabilizers. 'Attacking Full-Back' instructions will see them bomb forward, while 'Balanced Full-Back' keeps them more reserved. Ensure you balance this with your midfield and winger instructions. Finally, your center-backs, such as Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi, should primarily be set to 'Cover' or 'Stopper' depending on your preference, with 'Stay Back While Attacking' as a default. Remember, these are starting points. You'll need to observe how your team performs and adjust these roles and instructions accordingly. For instance, if your striker is isolated, you might need to tweak your CAM or wingers' instructions to provide better support. If you're conceding too many goals on the counter, reinforcing your defensive midfielders or instructing full-backs to stay back can be crucial. The beauty of PES 2018 is the depth of tactical options available. Experimentation and observation are your best friends. Don't just set and forget; constantly analyze your team's performance and make intelligent adjustments. This iterative process of tweaking roles and instructions is what separates good players from great ones.

Tactical Approaches for Arsenal

Now that we've discussed formations and player roles, let's talk about the overarching tactical approaches for Arsenal in PES 2018. How do you want your team to play? Do you prefer to dominate possession and patiently build attacks, or are you more inclined to hit on the counter with pace and directness? For a team like Arsenal, with players like Mesut Özil and Alexis Sánchez, a possession-based style is often very effective. This involves maintaining high possession, patiently passing the ball around, looking for openings, and exploiting gaps in the opposition's defense. Key instructions here would be 'Short Passing', 'Low Defensive Line' (to keep your team compact), and encouraging your players to 'Take More Risks' in the final third. When you win the ball back, prioritize keeping possession rather than immediately launching it forward. Look for quick, incisive passes to break lines. Your midfield should be adept at recycling possession, with players like Xhaka and Ramsey dictating the tempo. Conversely, if you have pacey forwards like Lacazette and Sánchez, and quick full-backs like Bellerin, a counter-attacking strategy can also be devastating. This involves sitting a bit deeper defensively, allowing the opponent to come onto you, and then quickly launching fast breaks using the speed of your attackers. Instructions for this style might include 'Long Passing', 'High Defensive Line' (to catch opponents offside and compress space), and 'Attack Quickly'. When you win the ball, immediately look for your fastest players to run into space. Your midfielders need to be efficient in their distribution, getting the ball forward quickly. This style requires excellent stamina and discipline from your players. You might also consider a balanced approach, mixing elements of both possession and counter-attacking. This often involves controlling the midfield and building play patiently, but being ready to exploit any defensive errors or spaces with swift attacks. The beauty of PES 2018 is that you can switch tactics on the fly during a match. If you're struggling to break down a stubborn defense, you can switch to a more direct, counter-attacking style. If you're finding yourself exposed on the counter, you can adopt a more cautious, possession-based approach. Consider your opponent's formation and playstyle. Are they very attacking? Then a counter-attacking setup might be best. Are they very defensive? Then a possession game might be needed to unlock them. Don't be afraid to experiment with different tactical mentalities – Attacking, Balanced, and Defensive – and see how they affect your team's performance. The key is to adapt. Arsenal, in PES 2018, has the quality to play multiple styles, so understanding when to employ each is crucial for consistent success.

Final Thoughts on Arsenal in PES 2018

So there you have it, guys! We've covered the essential aspects of managing Arsenal in PES 2018. From understanding your squad's strengths to selecting the right formations like the 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, and fine-tuning player roles and instructions, you're now equipped to take your game to the next level. Remember, PES 2018 is a game that rewards tactical understanding and adaptability. Don't be afraid to experiment with different setups, tweak your tactics based on your opponent, and most importantly, have fun! Mastering Arsenal requires practice, patience, and a keen eye for detail. Use the pace of your wingers, the creativity of your midfielders, and the finishing ability of your strikers to your advantage. Whether you're playing online or against friends offline, applying these strategies should give you a significant edge. Keep practicing those set pieces, work on your defensive shape, and always look for ways to exploit your opponent's weaknesses. The Gunners have the potential to be a formidable force on PES 2018, and with this guide, you're well on your way to achieving virtual glory. Good luck out there on the pitch!