I don’t usually do tactic-testing articles with such frequency. However, I simply had to review the latest tactic, as it is just that good. The tactic we are talking about is 4321 Cheat Tactic META by MrBishnakov.
Despite the tactic’s title being a bit misleading, as it’s not a cheat code, it’s undeniably effective at securing victories and, perhaps most importantly, trophies.
The conditions of the test
After using this with my Everton team on my personal save, I thought I would attempt to drag Arsenal over that line of finally winning the Premier League title after such close calls in recent seasons.
I played out a whole season on holiday, with no transfers or changes of tactics.
How is the tactic set up?
This tactic is not attempting to reinvent the wheel. The formation is what we would consider a simple 4231 formation, which is, let’s face it, the most popular and used FM formation.
However, I don’t think I have used another 4231 tactic that has produced such good results in the past.
The tactical system is custom, while the team’s mentality was attacking. At the base of the team is a sweeper keeper on defend duty. In front of the ‘keeper is two ball-playing defenders on defend duty, flanked by two full-backs on attack duty.
Two defensive midfielders are on support duty in front of the backline. Further up the field, an attacking midfielder on attack is sandwiched between two inside forwards on support, with an advanced forward on attack duty the main focal point of the team’s forward line.
How did the tactic perform?
The media predicted that the team would finish as Premier League champions despite the Gunners’ lack of a top-flight title since 2004. Anyway, the team lived up to expectations and more, winning the league eight points ahead of second-place Liverpool.
The team was absolutely brilliant in attack, scoring an incredible 114 goals, 30 more than the next most prolific team in the league, Manchester United. At the other end of the pitch, only runners-up Liverpool conceded fewer goals than the team from North London.
The team’s home record was impressive, as they recorded 16 wins out of 19 home games, having suffered just one defeat. Only Manchester United had a better home record, having recorded 17 wins and two draws.
Arsenal also had the best away record in the Premier League, claiming 12 wins, three draws, and just three defeats in their league games away from home.
One facet of the season that was noticeable from the stats is that the team won their last five Premier League games to clinch the title for the first time in two decades.
The team also performed pretty well in most cup competitions. For the first time, the Gunners won the Champions League with a 3-1 final victory over Manchester City.
Unfortunately, the team finished as the runners-up in the FA Cup while suffering a fourth-round defeat against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup.
Which players produced the best performances using this tactic?
As we have discovered over the years of playing FM, a good tactic can bring out the best in most players. This tactic does that expertly well.
The top performer in this tactic was winger Bukayo Saka, who scored an incredible 33 goals and also produced 15 assists in all competitions. Having played for the majority of the season on the right flank, Saka played a key role in this tactic.
Not far behind in the goalscoring stakes was advanced forward Gabriel Jesus, who scored 24 goals and also claimed ten assists in 54 appearances.
Emile Smith Rowe has struggled for first-team football in real life in season 2023/24. However, the youngster thrived as an attacking midfielder with this tactic, finding the net 19 times and creating 10 goals.
Brazilian international Gabriel Martinelli played as an inside forward on the left of the attack, scored 13 goals and produced a team-high 19 assists for his teammates.
Centre-back William Saliba managed a highly impressive 12 goals and four assists while picking up a season average of 7.04.
Another player who shined throughout the campaign was Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard, who scored 11 goals and also produced 12 assists in 51 appearances, having played on the right wing, as an attacking midfielder and also as a defensive midfielder in a deeper role.
Defensive midfielder Declan Rice was also amongst the goals, despite playing in a deeper role, which meant he was further away from goal, scoring an impressive 11 goals and picking up six assists.
Back-up striker Eddie Nketiah played a somewhat limited role, starting just seven games and making 19 substitute appearances. However, despite his lack of starts, he still scored ten goals.
Centre-back Gabriel also matched the forward’s goal tally, as well as claiming three assists, picking up a season average rating of 7.16.
When it comes to assists other players also enjoyed strong seasons. Versatile Belgium international Leonardo Trossard produced 15 assists to go alongside his six goals from 53 appearances, only 23 of which were starts.
Full-back Ben White was also among the top assisters in the team, producing 13 assists while also scoring three goals. Fellow full-backs Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko also managed nine assists each.
I don’t think I have seen a tactic in FM24 that has helped players score and assist many goals. It has been simply brilliant.
Our conclusion on the tactic
With more and more tactic creators producing top-draw tactics, outstanding tactics seem to be emerging regularly. For me, this one is the pick of the bunch.
People will say, ‘You tested it with one of the best teams in the Premier League.’ That is true, but I wanted to illustrate just how well this tactic can perform with the right players.
Afterwards, I also tested it with Everton. As a challenge, I tend to leave the ten-point deduction at the start just to make things interesting.
The season with Everton went really well, as the team finished sixth place in the table, claiming a Europa League spot despite a 16th-place prediction. Without the points deduction we would have qualified for the Champions League.
This is the tactic I am currently using on my long-term personal save. I would suggest that people try it, even if they are managing a team without a plethora of top international players.
I have read from other players that it has produced results with teams lower down the pecking order, so if you’re looking for a new FM24 tactic, then look no further than this one.
Have you used 4231 Cheat Tactic META by MrBishnakov? If you have, let us know your thoughts via our socials.
