Tactical Analysis: Arsenal

Introduction

The Gunners have started the season strongly with dominant performances. After being appointed by Arsenal in December 2019, Arteta has revolutionized the side with youthful talent. They appear to have a clear tactical identity and a competitive squad this season. This article will help break down their fundamental tactical principles, assess their strengths, and identify potential weaknesses.

Possessional Principles

Having worked under Pep Guardiola for around three years, there are few similarities in the tactical philosophies of the two managers. However, contrary to some beliefs, Arteta has also implemented his own tactical ideas. The possessional principles will be split into phases, one, two, and three. Their attacking patterns in phase three will be discussed separately.

Phase 1

Arteta wants Arsenal to become a possession-dominant team. To do so, they build up from the back. At times, they resort to long passes from the goalkeeper depending on the situation (averaging 3 goal kicks per game so far).

Passing Options through Build Up

The left CDM and CAM position themselves on either half-space during the build-up. They drop back to help the other CDM when the opposition presses high. Depending on the opponent's defensive structure, the Arsenal players will decide whether to play out from wide or through the middle.

Phase 2

There is a lot of similarity between Manchester City and Arsenal during this phase. The players take up similar positions on the pitch. Let us look at what they are.

Through phase two, they form a 2-3-5. They do so to dominate the midfield. The two fullbacks will invert into midfield. The left CDM and CAM could also drop in to help if the opposition has more midfielders in this area. The wingers maintain width close to the touchline, and the striker has the freedom to drift across the pitch to free himself. The players fluidly rotate amongst each other. Therefore, the positions mentioned are not restrictive to certain players. During a play, teammates are encouraged to switch positions and roles to confuse the opponents. In certain situations, players may find themselves in the positions of other players. On this occasion, one of their teammates covers their position. Therefore, expect some rotation amongst the players during the game but the positions shown above will be maintained.

Phase 3

Like most possession-based teams, the players are positioned in a way that passing triangles are formed. It allows them to have multiple passing options in any situation. By maintaining width, they can stretch opposition defenses. The left CDM and CAM try to find space between defenders. The LB and RB overlap or underlap depending on the circumstance. The right CDM maintains a position in the middle to recycle possession. The two center backs keep a high line to minimize the gap between midfield and defense. Thus, making it easier for the team to counter-press.

Attacking Patterns

As the season progresses, Arteta will integrate new attacking patterns. As of the early signs from the opening games, there are a few common offensive plays.

As mentioned before, the wingers maintain width close to the touchline. The fullback and the player in the half-space are passing options. Therefore, this passing triangle on the wing allows the three players to make quick passes and find space behind the wide defenders. The fullback could either underlap or overlap. The winger and the player in the half-space could play one-twos. The player in the half-space could make a solo run in between the wide defenders. Or, the winger could simply take on the wide defender.

There are so many options for the three players in this situation that they can take advantage of. Arsenal scored their first goal against Bournemouth through one of such movements.

In this situation, the striker (Jesus) found himself in the half-space. The left winger (Martinelli) provided the overlap option and Gabriel Jesus passes to him. He takes a shot after finding himself in space behind the defenders. However, the goalkeeper saves it. Regardless, Odegaard follows on the rebound, and Arsenal scores their first goal of the game.

The goal was an example of one of the times their runs worked. Arsenal tries these moves multiple times every game, and it seems to be effective.

The Gunners try to play direct long balls behind opposition defenders at times to have an element of unpredictability. It may create chances but Arsenal does not rely on this too much. At times, if all the attackers seem to be marked out of the game in the final third, the fullbacks deliver crosses from half-spaces. These crosses can be attacked by the striker and the half-space player.

There are in-game tweaks Arteta makes depending on the game. But the fundamental tactical principles will remain constant.

Pressing Methods

High Block

When the opposition is trying to build out from the back, Arsenal keeps a high block. The striker initially positions himself centrally. When the ball is played by the opposition to either center-back, the striker curves his run to pressure the player on the ball and deny the pass to the center-back partner.

The other Arsenal players go man-to-man and block all short passing options. This forces the center-back to go long. The physicality of the Arsenal defenders should be enough to win the aerial due. Thereby, keeping possession.

High Block Example VS Crystal Palace

Mid-Block

In case the high block does not work against a team proficient enough to play under pressure, Arsenal falls into a mid-block. They keep the center of the pitch well-guarded. The usual pressing trigger will be the fullback. It forces the fullback to either play a risky pass back to the center-back or a safe pass to the keeper.

Low Block

So far this season, Arsenal has not played a team that has put constant possessional pressure. However, in the four games that have passed by, there have been few instances when they have shown their low-block shape.

They switch between a 5-2-3 and 5-3-2, depending on how Arteta wants them to press specific teams. The holding CDM drops into the defensive line, making it a back five. The right winger and attacking midfielder make a midfield three. The two fastest players are left close to the half line for counters. It would be interesting to see how they would set up against teams like Manchester City, Liverpool, and Brighton. Teams that are clever in possession and comfortable playing under pressure. So far, the defensive shape does not look rigid. There is a lot of space to exploit in the middle and the defenders seem to be unorganized. Until Arsenal faces teams that could exploit certain defensive loopholes, it will be hard to analyze the efficiency of the defensive structure.

Tactical Weaknesses

Against Crystal Palace, the Gunners looked vulnerable in transition. This is due to the tremendous area of space they leave in the wide areas.

Here are some examples from the game at Selhurst Park.

Crystal Palace finding Space in Transition

As mentioned previously, Arteta and Guardiola share certain tactical ideologies. The weakness displayed above applies to City's system as well. It was heavily exploited by Newcastle when they faced Manchester City at St. James' Park. Arsenal could face similar problems when they face better teams.

Newcastle VS Manchester City - Allan Saint-Maximin constantly found space on the left wing

Positional fluidity can work against the team while defending. It may put players in unfavorable situations that can expose them. For example, it could force center-backs and midfielders to defend in wide areas. Opposition attackers could take advantage of such scenarios and create dangerous chances.

In this example, Xhaka filled in for Zinchenko at left-back. When Palace countered, Xhaka was left vulnerable. Although the chance did not lead to a goal, on another day, higher quality players would convert that.

Conclusion

Arsenal has started the season perfectly. The Gunners are buzzing and the red side of North London is in ecstasy. After years of underwhelming circumstances, Arsenal is finally back. They have a clear tactical identity. Arteta's men are playing with style, confidence, and flare. Mikel Arteta has fully transformed the side. They are a serious threat this season. Although it is still early in the campaign to raise expectations too high, the North Londoners are optimistic. The team is a fascinating side to watch. Their progress will be closely followed. We will have to wait and see what Arsenal can accomplish this season and where Arteta can take them in the future.