It started as a 3-4-3, it turned into a 4-4-2, and it ended in a mess.

Unai Emery’s Arsenal has an identity crisis to the most literal degree as the Gunners, who have been under new management for nearly a year, a still a side who don’t look to have a set formation, and when you’re going for Champions League football that kind of mentality is criminal.

And against Everton, the level of tactical incompetence was out on full display as the Gunners shifted formation twice during the game and failed to make either system work against a Toffees side who have done a good job at crumbling to pieces against the big sides this season.

It is clear that Emery’s end goal for Arsenal is to get them to play in a 4-2-3-1 formation with fullbacks who love to bomb forward and wingers who can act as inside-forwards, but with the current crop of players, that system just isn’t possible.

Barely any wingers, full-backs who can go forward but are weak defensively and having not one but two world-class strikers has meant Emery has had to tweak with not only Arsenal are set up but where players play.

We have seen Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Sead Kolasinac play as a left-midfielder and Granit Xhaka play both centre back and left-back this season to compliment for not only tactical goals for Emery but to cover injuries, which are a constant problem for Arsenal.

Going into next season, Emery needs to have a clear plan of what formation the club should be playing and who is playing where. Arsenal can’t afford another season of testing and seeing what does and doesn’t work.

The time for a primary formation is now, and if Emery is still unable to find an ideal system for his players, Arsenal will suffer in the long run.

Arsenal fans, what formation should Emery play? Let us know!