Arsenal In PES 2021: Squad, Tactics, And Gameplay Guide

Hey football fanatics! Ready to dominate the virtual pitch with the Gunners in PES 2021? You've come to the right place! This comprehensive guide is your one-stop shop for everything Arsenal. We'll dive deep into the squad, tactical setups, and gameplay tips to help you lead Arsenal to glory. Whether you're a seasoned PES veteran or a newcomer to the game, this article will equip you with the knowledge and strategies to outwit your opponents and experience the thrill of victory with your favorite team. Let's get started, shall we?

Understanding the Arsenal Squad in PES 2021

Before we jump into tactics, let's get acquainted with the Arsenal squad in PES 2021. Knowing your players' strengths and weaknesses is fundamental to building a winning team. The 2020/2021 season was a period of transition for Arsenal, with a blend of established stars and promising youngsters. Understanding the player ratings, playing styles, and key attributes is crucial. For instance, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, a pacey and lethal striker, boasts impressive finishing and speed stats, making him a primary threat up front. Knowing this allows you to utilize him effectively, focusing on through balls and quick counter-attacks to exploit his speed. Similarly, Alexandre Lacazette, a more rounded forward, offers excellent hold-up play and link-up abilities, making him a valuable asset in building attacks. Recognizing players like Thomas Partey, a defensive midfielder known for his tackling and interception skills, is crucial in solidifying your midfield. His ability to break up play and distribute the ball can be the foundation of your tactical setup. Understanding the ratings of center-backs such as David Luiz and Gabriel Magalhães is critical, as you need to be aware of their strengths (aerial ability and tackling) and weaknesses (pace and positioning) to create the ideal defensive partnership. You can use this knowledge to adjust your defensive line and provide cover to reduce the likelihood of conceding. The presence of players like Granit Xhaka and his passing range, or Nicolas Pépé and his dribbling, are also critical. In addition to individual player analysis, you should review the squad's overall balance. Are there enough attacking options? Is your midfield strong enough defensively? Do you have capable substitutes to make a difference when things get tough? Analyzing the squad depth helps you to plan for injuries or tactical changes during matches. In PES 2021, the AI uses player skills, so understanding how they affect gameplay and how to counter them is crucial. For example, a player with 'One-Touch Pass' will excel in quick passing sequences, so you'll want to build your strategy to exploit this. You should always be aware of the morale and condition of your players. Before each match, examine the form and condition of your players to determine the starting lineup. It would be wise to rest players if their condition is low, and make substitutions during the game to maintain freshness. Consider formations, such as 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, or even 3-4-3. Each offers different advantages, which we will address later, and knowing how they utilize the squad is crucial. With a solid understanding of the players and their roles, you are well on your way to success.

Crafting Winning Tactics: Formations and Instructions

Now, let's explore the tactical side of things. Choosing the right formation and setting up effective instructions are key to maximizing Arsenal's potential in PES 2021. The beauty of PES is the flexibility it provides in terms of tactical customization. Let's explore some viable formations and how to approach them.

The 4-2-3-1 Formation

This is a versatile formation that provides a strong defensive base while offering plenty of attacking options. The two defensive midfielders (DM) act as a shield for the defense, allowing the attacking midfielders (AM) to roam freely and support the striker. You could have Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny or Granit Xhaka in these positions, depending on your preferred style. The three AMs can be positioned behind the striker, offering pace, creativity, and goal-scoring threat. Players like Nicolas Pépé, Bukayo Saka, and Willian can occupy these positions, switching positions and creating space. A pacey striker like Aubameyang will thrive in this setup, making runs in behind the defense. In the defensive phase, your instruction would focus on keeping a compact shape, instructing the team to stay narrow and press aggressively. In the attacking phase, your instruction would have to be to build up the play gradually, utilizing short passes, and looking for through balls to the striker. Custom instructions allow you to fine-tune your tactics. For example, if you want your full-backs to be more involved in the attack, you can set them to 'Attacking' or 'Offensive'. This would result in them providing width and crossing opportunities. If you are struggling to create chances, try setting the attacking style to 'Possession' or 'Flexible', which promotes passing. You should also be mindful of the team's defensive line. If you are facing a team with fast attackers, setting the defensive line to 'Deep' can provide extra cover, but might limit your attacking options. Be sure to experiment with the advanced instructions and adapt them based on the opponent. This could lead to a custom setup that is perfectly suited for Arsenal's players.

The 4-3-3 Formation

This formation focuses on attacking with pace and width. The three forwards can be deployed in a variety of ways: a central striker with two wingers, or a more fluid setup with wingers interchanging positions. Having wingers like Pépé and Saka will stretch the defense and create opportunities to cross the ball for the striker. The midfield three can comprise a defensive midfielder, a box-to-box midfielder, and an attacking midfielder. The defensive midfielder provides defensive cover, the box-to-box midfielder contributes in both attack and defense, and the attacking midfielder links the midfield and attack. The defensive instructions should prioritize maintaining a high defensive line and pressing in the opponent's half. The attacking instructions would emphasize quick transitions from defense to attack and playing the ball wide to exploit the flanks. The attacking styles can be set to 'Wide' or 'Counter-attack' to maximize attacking opportunities. Advanced instructions can be customized to change the way the players react. By instructing the wingers to 'Cross' from specific zones, you can capitalize on the crossing ability of your full-backs. Adjusting the player's roles and instructions can result in a more balanced approach to both attack and defense. By experimenting with different formations and instructions, you can identify the perfect tactical setup for Arsenal in PES 2021. Watch how the team reacts to your commands, and learn to modify and adapt. Your tactical knowledge and awareness will enhance your performance. Remember, there's no single