1-Arsenal want to start the game from the first zone
with short passes, but when the opposing team's forwards approach the penalty
area to put pressure on the defenders and goalkeeper, they give up on their
game plan (1). They try to get into the second and third zone with long passes
(2). Big teams like Arsenal should not worry about the opponent's moves and
give up on their own style of play. If they want to start with short passes,
they should practice it. They must trust and persist in their game plan. When
they see the slightest solution of the opponent, they should not change their
own style of play, but develop their plans.
2-The key players are Lokonga and Rowe. While moving
from the defence to the midfield, Lokonga turns his face to the other half
after receiving the ball. If there is a teammate around, he gives the ball to
him and accelerates the game. If there is no opponent around, he takes the ball
to the opponent's field (1).
Rowe, on the other hand, helps Arsenal move forward as
a team when he gets close to his teammates and gets involved in the passing. He
takes the ball from the defenders, gives it to one of the midfielders, takes it
again. He sees the available player in the other half pitch and sends the ball
to that player who is available (2). Arsenal's level rises when these two
players are included in positions.
3-When one of the defenders goes forward, the other
defenders have 2 choices to make. Other players may approach each other and
reduce the distance between them (1), or one of the midfielders may come back
(2). If they don't do this, big gaps will arise due to the defender going
forward. Opposing players running into this area would be dangerous. Arsenal
are making too many mistakes in defence as they haven't made these two options.
4-Tierney often goes forward from the left wing. One
of Arsenal's most important offensive players, he's good on offense but when
he's involved in attacks, there's no one defending the area behind him.
Sometimes Mari goes to this area, but instead of defending that area, he tries
to make individual interventions or waits in the wrong place (1). When the
opposing team wins the ball, they start attacking from this wing. Arsenal's
defence weakens as Tierney moves slowly to return (2).
5-Cedric or Chambers play at right-back. Both players
(especially Chambers) are not very good on offense. They are not attacking
fullbacks like Tierney. Since Pepe is an inside winger, he often tends to the
centre. That's why Arsenal hardly uses the right wing (1). A team that cannot
use the right wing and leaves big gaps when it prefers the left wing, cannot be
successful (2).
6-As Arsenal gave up the short pass game, they aim to
go forward with long passes. If these passes are in the vertical direction,
they lose the ball (1). If it is diagonal, the rate of losing the ball
decreases (2). The reason is that Arsenal forwards can't get the vertical
passes because centre-backs are physically superior. Arsenal players have an
advantage as it is not clear where the ball will land in diagonal passes, and
they can control the ball because they are fast.
7-Press intensity is weak in the third region. They
are not close to opposing players (1). I don't remember them entering the
penalty area and disturbing the goalkeeper. If you take a screenshot and show
it to someone, s/he will tell you that a lot of Arsenal players are pressured.
However, they do not interfere at all to steal the ball as it moves from one
player to the other (2).
8-As I said in the previous, Arsenal is a team which
has problems on the wings. The offensive and defensive contributions of
fullbacks are uneven. That's why 3-4-1-2 is the most ideal formation. The
reason I prefer Tierney in the left centre-back position is to make it easier
for the defenders to come forward. If Cedric plays as a wing-back, he contributes
to attacks more. Pepe does not play on the right wing anyway; it would be more
logical to be preferred in the centre. Centre-midfielders should be Lokonga and
Rowe. These two players are very critical for the team's transition from defence
to attack. Arsenal still did not score so their best 2 strikers must be on the pitch.
