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Jan 29 11 tweets 10 min read
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

Jan 1
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
Dec 1, 2022
Aspect Analysis: Argentina’s flexible attacking dynamics vs. Poland #POLARG [THREAD]

The Argentinians formed somewhat of a 3-2-5/3-1-6 structure in possession, which was highly interchangeable. ImageImageImageImage
A key mechanism for Argentina’s progression and chance creation was the vertical rotation between Messi and De Paul. Messi regularly moved deeper, with De Paul advancing to fill the right half-space. This either allowed Messi to create from deep or De Paul to receive higher up. ImageImageImageImage
From this deeper position, Messi continuously made diagonal switches to the left side to find the overlapping Acuna creating a 2v1 situation and getting in behind with a dynamical advantage. Moreover, pinning Poland’s right fullback was key to open the left wing for Acuna. ImageImageImageImage
Read 9 tweets
Nov 26, 2022
Team Analysis: Spain’s positional play under Luis Enrique at the #FIFAWorldCup [THREAD]

The Spaniards lined-up in a 4-3-3 formation in possession against Costa Rica with deep FBs, high 8s and wingers hugging the touchline. Occupying all 5 vertical lanes. Image
Spain circulates the ball slowly and looks for a free man in the build-up to advance higher up, making use of this unmarked player and arriving with optimal conditions in the final third. ImageImageImage
3rd man combinations are key for Spain to both find a free man as well as switch the point of attack and get out of pressure. ImageImage
Read 20 tweets
Nov 24, 2022
Match Analysis: How Japan beat Germany #GERJPN [THREAD]

The Germans lined-up in a 3-2-5 structure in possession, using asymmetric fullbacks (Süle deeper and Raum higher). Musiala and Müller occupied the half-spaces. Japan defended in a 4-4-2 mid-block. ImageImage
The strikers of Japan looked to restrict passes into Germany’s double pivot by using their cover-shadows. Japan’s 6s stayed in between Germany’s 10s and 6s, allowing them to press the double pivot when a striker pressed a centre back or mark a 10 in deeper zones. ImageImageImage
When Japan’s 6s didn’t mark the 10s, they used a different approach to defend the wings on either side. On the right, Nagatomo pressed Gnabry, while Yosibah (left CB) shifted across to mark Müller. On the left, Ito tracked back to cover Raum, while Sakai marked Musiala. ImageImage
Read 16 tweets
Oct 30, 2022
Aspect Analysis: How Brighton applied the 3rd/4th man principle vs Chelsea #BHACHE

The 3rd and 4th man principle can be highly beneficial for every team. De Zerbi’s side utilized it for various purposes, which allowed them to beat Chelsea.

[THREAD]
Many teams use third man combinations in the build-up to find a free man. And so did Brighton. They often found the free centre back through a player from the double pivot, enabling them to progress higher up more easily.
Moreover, players from the front line could drop in between the lines and then lay the ball off, allowing Brighton to create promising situations.
Read 8 tweets

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