Arsenal Signings to Lead to Tactical Change?

With the Premier League having put its feet up for the weekend, though many of its player's were unable to, WhoScored has had the time to have a closer look at the business done over the summer.

Investigating the sides who have strengthened in numbers to see whether they have reinforced any weak links from the season gone by, WhoScored analyses whether the new recruits are up to the challenge of replacing those deemed not good enough, as well as those who wanted out.

With the deadline day proving as entertaining as ever, a major player in the final hours was Arsenal. Arsene Wenger's side were bolstered by no fewer than five signings in the dying embers of the window, and speculation is already rife as to whether they are of the pedigree to make the step up.

Arsenal's Best XI - 2010/11

Signings were not only a priority for the Gunners but a necessity after the likes of Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri and captain Cesc Fabregas all left for pastures new this summer. The shoes -or boots even- that needed filling were sizeable, with all three players making WhoScored's team of the season for the club last year. In fact, Clichy (7.1) was rated as the side's best defender in the absence of the injured Thomas Vermaelen, while Fabregas (7.5) and Nasri (7.3) were ranked 1 and 2 in the team's midfield.

With the aforementioned departed out of the side, the next best left-back according to WhoScored was Kieran Gibbs, whose limited involvement down to injury saw him pick up an average rating of just 6.4. The obvious existing replacement for Fabregas to feature last season was Tomas Rosicky, though the Czech doesn't come close to the Spaniard's standards with a rating of 6.6. With Nasri occupying a position on the left for much of last season, Andrey Arshavin was the next best left-winger with a decent rating of 7.

Along with those outgoings, four of Arsenal's best rated XI from last term were rated lower than a 7 out of 10, showing that there was clear room for improvement, and it comes as no surprise that their main weakness laid in defence. The centre-back pairing of Djourou and Koscielny proved somewhat unstable, with both obtaining ratings of 6.8.

A rating of 6.6 for keeper Wojciech Szczesny will only be improved upon as the youngster cements his status as the new Arsenal number 1, with Wenger seeing little reason to sign a replacement or even back-up in place of the much maligned Almunia and Fabianski. Theo Walcott was the only other player in the XI to fail to reach a rating of 7, though at just 22, this rating shouldn't be sniffed at and like Szczesny, can only improve.

Arsenal's New Signings

Mikel Arteta has perhaps been the most talked about investment on deadline day after Arsenal forked out £10m for the Spaniard, seemingly as a replacement for compatriot Fabregas. An undoubtedly skilled and cultured midfielder, the 29-year-old fits the bill in some aspects but lacks the attacking threat of the Barca man. By no means an attacking midfielder, Arteta is perhaps more comparable to Jack Wilshere, which in turn could lead to a change of system.

The youngster was used to playing in a double-pivot alongside Song last season, serving the role of a holding midfielder rather than creator. Arteta's arrival could see Song play as the sole defensive midfielder, allowing Arteta, and importantly Wilshere, to support attacks more often in more of a 4-1-2-3 than their familiar 4-2-3-1 formation.

The capture of Gervinho, an out-and-out wide attacker rather than a winger, could create more of a balance with Walcott offering the same threat on the opposite flank. The Ivorian and Englishman are likely to play in what is effectively a front three, which could suit Robin van Persie who is by no means a target man. The wingers attacking intent will mean that Wilshere and Arteta are likely to have plenty of running to do in midfield, though both are capable of assisting as much defensively as they do in attack.

Brazil international left-back Andre Santos was brought in as a straight replacement to Clichy and is likely to take the starting berth ahead of youngster Kieran Gibbs. Meanwhile, experienced German international centre-back Per Mertesacker was signed from Werder Bremen to partner the returning Thomas Vermaelen. An imposing figure due to his height, the 26-year-old is still relatively young for a defender and his quality is undeniable, already racking up 75 international caps.

Many Arsenal fans were after a big bruiser of a centre-back in the Sol Campbell ilk and while Mertesacker more than stands out with 6'6" frame, he occupies a somewhat lanky form. While he should prove dominant in an aerial sense, the German may leave more of the hard-hitting tackling to his new Belgian teammate, with Vermaelen more than capable of putting himself about at the back.

South Korea international Park Chu-Young was signed for around £3m from relegated Monaco to act as cover for van Persie who has had injury problems in the past, with Chamakh and Bendtner failing to really make the grade at the Emirates. A hat-trick in a recent international game will have buoyed the Gunners faithful and the front man will be hoping for more than just a squad role, though his inclusion would lead to a major reshuffle of the squad which seems unlikely. Experienced midfielder Yossi Benayoun was also brought to the club on loan from London rivals Chelsea but again, he seems likely to act as cover, initially at least.

Arsenal's Likely XI - 2011/12

As Santos played in Turkey last season he wasn't handed a WhoScored rating, though the form of Arteta (7.3) and Gervinho (7.2) from last season suggests the duo represent shrewd pieces of business. The figure that stands out however, according to WhoScored ratings, is that Per Mertesacker achieved a score of just 6.7 last season- down on Koscielny and Djourou. It will therefore be intriguing to see whether he really is the man to shore up a back line that has needed exactly that for some time now.

A look at the above likely line-up shows that Mertesacker is one of just 3 players rated under 7 from last season, showing Wenger may have strengthened wisely. Last season's best XI without Clichy, Fabregas and Nasri would have seen 6 players fail to reach that total. The average rating of the new likely line-up from last season is 7.05- slightly down on the 7.07 of the best XI from last term, but extremely close when considering that was a side with the aforementioned departed trio involved.