WM Formation

Herbert Chapman is regarded as one of football’s great progressives, championing many innovations in the game, training techniques and tactics. He joined Arsenal in 1925, just as The FA were changing the offside rules to require two opponents between the furthest forward player and goal-line, instead of three.

It might not look like it by today’s standards, but Chapman’s response to the rule change, the WM formation, was actually a defensive move. With most sides playing an apparently cavalier 2-3-5 system, Arsenal dropped the center-half between the two fullbacks to create a back three. Chapman also pulled the two inside forwards into a deeper position ahead of the left and right half backs. A 3-2-2-3 if you like.