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Jan 29, 2023 11 tweets 10 min read Read on X
Team Analysis: Arsenal’s various attacking mechanisms [THREAD]

The Gunners are flying under Mikel #Arteta this season, currently ranking 1st in the Premier League. A key component of their success are the different chance creation methods, which will be analysed in this thread.
Dynamical space occupation and rotations:
Rather than simply occupying spaces, the forwards aim to dynamically arrive at specific areas, making them harder to mark. Furthermore, the Gunners would at times purposefully leave spaces unoccupied to then move into them quickly.
Moreover, they use different kinds of rotations, which can cause a dilemma for the opposition and might end up in the creation of a free man or the generation of space.
Quick combinations:
To get in behind, Arsenal would regularly combine their way through (using patterns such as one-twos, 3rd man combinations and up-back-throughs).
Runs in behind:
We would continuously see the Arsenal forwards making runs in behind, which can either provide a passing option or the movement acts as a decoy (e.g.: dragging an opponent out of position).
Every movement is important, as it forces the opponent to react to it and the more a team can challenge the opponent with different kinds of movements, the more mistakes he will make sooner or later.
The usage of the FBs:
Arsenal’s FBs are essential when attacking, as they regularly provide over-/underlaps, which can support the winger (either as a passing option or as a decoy). The FBs can act as relay players as well at times, enabling Arsenal to get out of tight zones.
Qualitative superiority:
Arsenal has some outstanding dribblers with Saka and Martinelli, who shine in 1v1 situations and are able to generate chances out of nothing. The Gunners therefore regularly seek to isolate their wingers in these 1v1s.
Switches:
A possibility to generate these 1v1s (or even 2v1s) is the usage of switches. Arsenal regularly aims to lure the opponent towards one side before switching to the other one (preferably through short passes and through the block).
Chip in behind:
Instead of going through or around the opposition’s block, the Gunners are capable of going over it as well by using surprising chips.
Crosses:
After getting in behind and the ball-carrier isn’t able to shoot, he would search for a better-positioned player (preferably through cutbacks or low crosses). However, high crosses from the half-space using the concept of the relay player aren’t uncommon either.

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More from @Chris17_t

Dec 23, 2023
Scene Analysis:
I watched #ARSBHA yesterday and wanted to quickly break down two brilliant sequences, which demonstrate how the Gunners exploited Brighton’s man-oriented defensive approach.
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Rice just received the ball from White on the right wing, where Arsenal has a 4v4 situation with everyone being marked. The Englishman plays on to Saka with Odegaard providing an underlap.
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With Lallana joining in to make it a 3v2 and no real dynamics established, Saka decides to recycle possession and plays back to White. The RB then passes on to Rice, who nicely created some distance from Gilmour with a quick double movement and eventually plays it back to Saliba.


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Read 12 tweets
Oct 29, 2023
Aspect Analysis: How Man City pulled Man United apart – a masterclass in progression and chance creation #MUNMCI [THREAD]

This thread breaks down City’s mechanisms to advance through the thirds and eventually generate chances in the derby.


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United’s 4-2-3-1 defensive setup against City’s 3-2-2-3:
- Hojlund on Dias or shadowing a 6
- wingers pressing the halfbacks or tucking in on a 6 if needed
- McTominay shifting between double pivot
- double pivot marking 10s or pushing up on a 6 if needed Image
This usually led to a nominal 5v4 (or even 6 with Ederson) overload in their build-up structure (blue marked) and/or a 4v3 overload in the midfield (green marked). Image
Read 24 tweets
Sep 1, 2023
Aspect Analysis: The last time Newcastle faced Brighton #BHANEW [THREAD]

Newcastle plays against Brighton this weekend. As a little preview, let’s look back on their previous encounter in the PL last season and how the Magpies dominated with their intensity out of possession.


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To begin with, Newcastle pressed incredibly high and looked to disturb Brighton’s deep build-up with extreme aggressiveness. The Magpies used some sort of a 3-2-2-3 shape with a narrow front three and wide 8s against the Seagulls’ 4-2-4 structure. footballxplained.de/brighton-build…

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The main aim was to guide Brighton towards their right side with Almiron or Wilson initiating the press, using a curved run to keep Dunk in their cover-shadow.
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Read 11 tweets
Feb 19, 2023
Match Analysis: ManUtd – Leicester #MUNLEI [THREAD]

How Leicester started off strong in the first half and why Ten Hag’s slight adaptations enabled the Red Devils to dominate the second 45 minutes.
The Foxes regularly found Castagne out wide freely from the build-up with a clipped ball and kept on exploiting ManUtd’s left side in the first 25 minutes.
Moreover, the Red Devils struggled to create anything meaningful in possession against Leicester’s 4-2-3-1/4-4-2 hybrid mid-block. The Foxes looked to control the centre by simply using man-orientations and were threatening on transitions.
Read 9 tweets
Jan 1, 2023
Aspect Analysis: How Emery’s 6-2-2 nullified Tottenham #TOTAVL [THREAD]

2023 started with a surprising result as Aston Villa beat the Spurs by 2-0. Unai Emery’s team showcased a brilliant but unorthodox defensive performance, which kept Tottenham’s offensive efforts quiet.
Emery opted for a back six out of possession with both wingers nearly constantly staying deep besides the fullbacks. Therefore, Aston Villa had one man more in the last line (6v5), meaning there wasn’t an unmarked player, and they weren’t prone to switches.
Nevertheless, let’s have a deeper look on what made this setup so successful by breaking down each player’s task. The strikers first and foremast aimed to shut down Spurs’ double pivot. At times, they could press a centre back or track deep.
Read 7 tweets
Dec 19, 2022
Aspect Analysis: Argentina’s dominance in the first half vs. France #ARGFRA [THREAD]

The 1st half of the #FIFAWorldCup final excellently showcased Argentina’s qualities both in and out of possession by completely outplaying France. ImageImageImageImage
To begin with, France used a lopsided 4-2-3-1 press with Mbappe starting higher, forcing Hernandez to press Molina. Furthermore, Griezmann had a hybrid role, either marking Fernandez, pressing Otamendi or dropping deeper. ImageImageImage
Argentina mostly tried to progress down the right side through clever positionings in between the lines from Messi or creating an overload with Molina advancing. The Argentines regularly exploited France’s passivity and disorganization. ImageImageImage
Read 8 tweets

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