🔍 In-depth analysis
🔴⚪️ Arsenal pressing structure vs Liverpool : patterns, roles, and how this animation impacted Liverpool’s build-up.
🔴⚪️ Arsenal pressing structure vs Liverpool : patterns, roles, and how this animation impacted Liverpool’s build-up.
Arsenal probably did their best performance in matter of pressing animation yesterday. Each player respected his role, which player man-marking at the right time. Arsenal implemented a classic 1-3 structure (foundation) with a consequent support of fullbacks behind (Ben White).
While Gabriel Jesus and Odegaard did individual marking on Matip and Thiago, Ben White’s mission was to press high on Tsimikas so Liverpool can’t get any chance to progress on channels (probably their biggest asset for now).
Repetitive press from White could embody a huge risk for Arsenal, given potential spaces behind. However, he could rely on two key aspects to realize these runs : tactical intelligence from Partey (covering the space) and misunderstanding from Liverpool double pivot.
When Arsenal switches pressing animation into a triangle pressing trigger, Ben White / Tomiyasu play a fundamental role to not let Liverpool’s low build-up take advantage from wide spaces. Moreover, as long as Thiago-Henderson stay on central areas, these moves were possible
To counter that, Tsimikas stepped up while Thiago dropped deep to play accurate long balls, what he likes the most, yet not in this position (more in opponent’s mid third). That’s why Odegaard had to press high and constantly make individual marking to not let long balls happen.
And Thiago Alcantara frequently ended up in a very difficult situation, because Tsimikas was positioned too high, and Henderson didn’t moved to the right space to receive the ball and carry Liverpool’s build-up, easing out Arsenal’s pressing structure.
It was a difficult exercise to covershadow Liverpool’s DP, but both Saka and Odegaard did a great job, because I didn’t see many vertical progression in Liverpool build-up phases. Coordination b/w players show this process has been repeated many times in training sessions
Jesus was the point guard of this pressing shape. When Arsenal was in a 1-3 shape, Jesus initiated all of Arsenal pressing triggers. He had to press high only if Matip received. Individually marked, he was forced to pass the ball to TAA, pressed high by Martinelli.
Van Djik also ended up in uncomfortable situations, exposed to Gabriel Jesus’s press, the fact Tsimikas could be in trouble with White’s repetitive runs, and Thiago in a 2V1 situation (Saka-Odegaard).
In mid third, Thiago wasn’t Arsenal’s priority anymore :just avoid any numerical superiority in the first phase of build-up, not pressing too high, just enough to force decision from Liverpool’s ball carrier. That’s why Arsenal switched pressing shape into a 3-2 (central control)
Given mid possession situation, we know if Thiago isn’t man-marked, Liverpool could find wide wingers easily, thanks to his incredible passes. That’s why Xhaka dropped to the left channel while Martinelli replaces his initial position, to prepare potential long balls from Thiago
Speaking of him : Martinelli has been very precious in pressing structure animation. He impressed everyone in possession, but I think it’s important to say how efficient he was in his press on TAA, given his bad form. Most of Liverpool build-up tended to be on the right channel
As I said, Arsenal’s pressing structure has the basis (1-3, triangle) and key additional elements to form that harmony : Saliba’s high press is one of them. Saliba is a great defender, who participates in pressing phase (under the model of 2019 VVD). Each press was covered.
Saka and Odegaard accomplished the mission to block vertical passing angles for Van Djik and Matip, forcing Liverpool to many long balls, sometimes successful (Nunez equalizer). Sometimes instantly recovered by Arsenal players.
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