Below, we look at 6 patterns of play you can use in the 4-2-3-1 formation.
We will use tactical analysis and coaching to identify 4 patterns of play.
These include wide penetration, while the other two are for central penetration.
If you are coaching the 4-2-3-1 system or participating in any high-level coaching courses such as the UEFA A or B licence, where patterns of play are a requirement, you may find the following valuable.
While developing this series of passing and moving patterns, I share what has worked for me on the training ground, as well as taking influence from some of Europes finest teams who operate in this formation.
In particular, I observed a lot of Arsenal under the early Mikel Arteta era.
The Premier League side has produced a lot of good, fast, fluid, attacking football in the 4-2-3-1 formation, and they have developed a style under the young Spanish manager that any purest of the game would appreciate.
In the three images below, we will use analysis to see a pattern of play, which I have detailed below as Pattern: Central B.
In this Premier League clash between Crystal Palace and Arsenal, Mesut Özil, Alexandre Lacazette, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (formerly of Borussia Dortmund) combine well to give Arsenal their first goal.
Play begins with a forward pass to Özil, the CAM for Arsenal, who in turn lays off a soft pass for Lacazette to progress the attack.
In anticipation, LM Aubameyang starts his run.
![PSG Vs Lille [3–0] – Ligue 1 2025/2026: Why LOSC Failed To Exploit PSG Defensive Weaknesses – Tactical Analysis](https://totalfootballanalysis.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/PSG-Vs-Lille-20252026-350x250.png "PSG Vs Lille [3–0] – Ligue 1 2025/2026: Ruthless Efficiency Versus Attacking Waste – Tactical Analysis 7")
