Just in case you forgot, here is a reminder why Mikel Arteta and Arsenal are so special tactically. Arsenal work…

Just in case you forgot, here is a reminder why Mikel Arteta and Arsenal are so special tactically. Arsenal work within a positional play model, but the team have been together for so long that it is barely identifiable. Combine that with the defensive prowess? WOW! THREAD! 🚨

Here we see Arsenal when they have possession. The idea is simple. Mosquera, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, and Rice manage the build-up. The rest position themselves high. Where each player finds themselves doesn't matter (see Havertz wide + Saka central) as long as balance remains.

Part of the reason why Arsenal are so difficult to press is because of their positional fluidity whilst consistently maintaining balance. For example, Coventry press and Lewis-Skelly drops into the first line to overload them. It's simple, yet it is extremely effective.

We see another example here. This time with Mosquera on the ball in the middle, Rice outside the opposition lines, and Lewis-Skelly in the #6. Like I say, it doesn't matter who is where. The players have license to 'feel the spaces'. That makes Arsenal impossible to predict.

What I found interesting about last night's game was the role of Lewis-Skelly. He was often lower than Rice. His mobility to get on the ball combined with his ever-improving understanding of when to play progressively (with a pass or a dribble) and when to circulate is special.

When you are so difficult to press as a team whilst consistently getting 6 players on the top line you strike the optimal balance between getting up the pitch and breaking the opposition down. That's what PSG do. Their fullbacks are almost always high (as are White + Calafiori).

Arsenal's first goal came from actions that we need to see more of from them. Ben White tries an ambitious switch of play, it doesn't work out but because Arsenal are so well balanced positionally they can counter-press effectively, they win it back, attack in space, and score…

People often overcomplicate football by talking about delicate and intricate ways to break down low blocks with patterns of play. Sometimes the best pattern is taking a risk, losing the ball, counter-pressing, and attacking in open space close to the opposition's goal.

We must also take a look at the second goal which had a similar theme to the first. Coventry play long and Arsenal's detail to win the duels is elite. People often downplay winning duels to physicality. Sure, that's the most important factor, but the positional detail is key…

Coventry go long and Gabriel competes for the first header. Behind him, Arsenal's remaining defenders narrow up to manage any flick ons and provide a 3v2 vs Coventry's runners. Elsewhere, Arsenal's players get goal side + tight to their man to land on second balls. TOP detail!

Even if Gabriel doesn't win the initial aerial duel Arsenal are in a great position to win the second ball because they are more physically dominant than most other teams, sure, but also because they are positioned optimally to land on the second ball in the first place.

Off the back of winning those duels, Arsenal attack in open spaces and score to make it 2-0. So, I go back to it… Arsenal played a low block, right? But they broke them down with A) counter-pressing and B) winning duels + transitioning off the back of it. THAT is football!

We must also acknowledge that you must earn the right to pin the opposition back into a low block as well as that. Arsenal didn't exclusively have possession, right? Arsenal are the best defensive team in the world because of their detail in each moment. Here we see the 4-4-2.

When Arsenal lack pressure on the ball, they protect their box with that standard shape. But that is not the intention. They want to press high. And they do it in two different ways, both of which stem from Ødegaard leading the press. Here we see Arsenal's central trigger. 👇

However, because Coventry's #6 drops into the first line, Arsenal's front 2 are overloaded in a 3v2. To combat that, Saka inverts from the right wing to press the left centre back and Ben White backs up the press on the side. From zonal to man-to-man in the blink of an eye 👏

We see this relentlessly from Arsenal. They either transition from a zonal press into a man-to-man press with a central trigger (CB ➡️ #6 ➡️ #10) or a wide trigger (RB ➡️ RW ➡️ #10). It all depends on the positioning of the opposition in each moment. But the players 'get it'.

We also see an incredible adherence to situations like throw-ins. Look how small Arsenal make the pitch in this moment with Tzolis digging in on the far side to manage the opposition #8. It allows Rice to screen as the +1 and the team to get incredible pressure on the ball. 👏

Plus, when things go wrong and Arsenal have to defend a transition, not only do they have incredible athleticism to defend open spaces, they also defend sensibly. For example, Gabriel is left 1v1. Rice recovers and is aggressive in contact. However, Simms retains possession.

Instead of panicking, diving in, and giving a free kick away or letting Simms run free, Rice stands tall, protects the space, and essentially says to Simms 'take me on'. Rice 'delaying' as opposed to diving in makes it almost impossible for forwards because of his athleticism.

Combine these on and off ball details that of course differ but are continuously excellent from game-to-game and it is clear why Mikel Arteta is, in my opinion, the most complete tactician in the world. Arsenal are coached within an inch of their life in EVERY moment…

Tzolis also fit in VERY well. Partly because he is an excellent player and partly because of his defensive diligence, but look at his mentality here: Nearly scores, everyone else is still reacting to the shot, he sprints to take the throw-in, Arsenal attack again. RELENTLESS!!

Mikel Arteta has created a team that are physical, technical, tactical, and psychological giants. Tzolis fits right into that. However, Arsenal are still active in the market. Their is still room for improvement. Not every team is as easy to face as Coventry were.

With the personnel Arsenal had on the pitch, sometimes Arsenal can lack bodies between the lines. It takes time for the fullbacks to travel high and in the midfield 3 each of Lewis-Skelly, Rice, and Ødegaard prefer to come to the ball rather than stay away.

PSG play that way & it works for them because they exert clear dominance on games, but in games against other similarly good teams it's often not possible to dominate the ball. This is why you need elite attackers to go toe-to-toe in transition OR more players consistently high.

Otherwise you get what happened to Arsenal in the CL final: A lack of transitional threat and a lack of bodies high to pass to between the lines without an elite front 3 to make up for that dynamic imbalance. Let's see if the club address that or find internal solutions… 🛑