Tactical Focus
⚪️🔴 How did Arsenal manage to take advantage on Chelsea narrow distances (in/out of possession) and wide build-up ?
• Pressing structures
• Zinchenko as inverted fullback
• Innovative pass schemes
🧵
⚪️🔴 How did Arsenal manage to take advantage on Chelsea narrow distances (in/out of possession) and wide build-up ?
• Pressing structures
• Zinchenko as inverted fullback
• Innovative pass schemes
🧵
Chelsea back 3 in first build-up phase insists on width to stretch pressing structure (example against Man United). That’s why Arsenal incorporates Ben White, even it lets space behind. It regularly stopped Chelsea’s build-up.
Chelsea also relied on narrow distance in midfield to apply vertical passes. Arsenal had various out of possession structures, and switched into a sound 4-4-2 in that kind of situation, to try to block Silva’s dangerous vertical passes.
We saw Potter insisting on this pattern. To bypass opponent’s structure, Mendy’s long balls accuracy were key to target the left channel (Azpilicueta/Sterling), then Havertz penetrating left half space. However, this pattern has less chances to succeed than on-ground passes (imo)
It was interesting to attest Arsenal’s tactical discipline when both defensive midfielders (Jorginho and Loftus-Cheek) dropped-off in first phase of build-up. Both Xhaka and Odegaard man-marked these two players, to make sure they don’t receive the ball in good conditions.
With Loftus-Cheek and Jorginho constantly man-marked with few possibilities to move away, Chelsea’s ball carrier hadn’t plethoric choice to catalyze build-up, illustrating Arsenal various pressing structures (2-3 / 1-4) made the difference to recover the ball higher on the pitch.
Arsenal really insisted on a sound man-oriented press, which was a bit risky given the space it creates. That’s why Loftus-Cheek could have made more runs in behind to propose interesting pass options. Without these moves, Chelsea was frequently forced to retreat.
Concerning build-up patterns, Arsenal has been excellent to catalyze build-up and manipulate Chelsea’s narrow distance in certain zones. For example making risky passes to find Odegaard and Saka, with at least two different runs around him to dismantle Chelsea’s defense.
Chelsea regularly puts consequent amount of players on lanes, in and out of possession ( vs Man United and Aston Villa), creating numerical superiority. Arsenal managed to bypass that density by taking risks in possession, largely rewarded to switch of play and create danger.
As I said before, Ben White not pressed near the penalty box, is a current error opponents tend to make. Given his cross quality, frequently targeting second post (Gabriel Jesus and Xhaka), Arsenal could have score two times with this situation.
A perfect illustration here : while Arsenal build-up is about to target Saka, G.Jesus, Martinelli and Xhaka are already positioned to attack second post if White/Saka received near penalty box. Chelsea faced some issues to find parades for this pass scheme, despite its narrowness
Arsenal’s combinations in low build-up phase have been innovative. I have to point out the calmness and serenity Saliba brings, in and out of possession. His pass skills match his serenity before the pass, even under a high press from. Followed by an excellent up-go-through.
Zinchenko, as an inverted fullback, allowed Xhaka to stay alongside Gabriel Jesus (or a bit lower) and reinforced midfield in build-up phase. He was used to this positioning at City, and now Arsenal. It eased out Gabriel/Saliba’s ball carrying on lanes.
Zinchenko frequently positioned to receive the first pass, given Ramsdale excellent passing range. Partey’s short move to attract Jorginho to increase the space for the pass is important, especially in first phase of build-up.
Saliba-Zinchenko connection in build-up was relevant, even if sometimes Zinchenko lost the ball in dangerous zones (such as here). However, I think it’s part of what Arteta demands : taking risks and being innovative in possession reinforces self-confidence.
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