In a 3-5-2 system, the wing-backs often play match-defining roles. They are the players with the time and space to shape a game.
Arsenal’s Sead Kolasinac and Chelsea’s Victor Moses have led their teams’ attacking efforts admirably, getting past their markers and providing crosses for the strikers.
On Sunday, their battle to win the flank should be fascinating.
The Bosnian, who has added steel to the Arsenal defence, loves to take on his direct opponent. He also has the ability to maintain the side’s tempo with his relentless running and tidy passing. Kolasinac has delivered two assists in his three league games, with both being provided for Welbeck.
Moses, who is less comfortable playing one-on-one against a determined full-back, might be asked to cut down his forward runs and drop into the back-line. The ploy will deny Kolasinac the space to make crosses, and Chelsea will have an extra man in the box even if the Bosnian manages one.
On counter-attacks, Moses can use his pace and trickery to trouble Arsenal. Chelsea’s 81% win rate last season when Moses played speaks volumes of his influence.
