To close the book on what will likely be Antonio Conte's last chapter in the Premier League, I'd like to revisit my analysis of him throughout his time at Spurs in this thread.
Quite literally all of it has proven to be true, and that applies to Arteta's Arsenal too.
👇🧵
June 02, 2021.
Conte, a genius, comes back to the Premier League. However, just because he was revolutionary only very recently in the sense that he brought the back 3 to the Premier League with amazing success, the game moved on very, very quickly since then.
He was outdated.
November 01, 2021.
Despite not trusting the process at Spurs, I acknowledged that they could absolutely finish above Arsenal and were more likely to do so.
They did, but the trajectory of each project was clear (at least to me).
However, despite acknowledging that Spurs could finish above Arsenal in the short-run, I maintained that Spurs were too limited tactically to truly challenge at the top of the Premier League.
(please bear in mind that this analysis was all before Spurs' first game under Conte).
This opinion (based on hard logic and research) was maintained over time.
As you can see below, I said Arteta's Arsenal have no limit, whereas Conte under Spurs do.
It's difficult for fans to see that in the short-term, though, as they're often blinded by game-to-game outcomes.
Then, a year ago, I said this.
Turns out I was correct, as Conte has been sacked and Arsenal are 8 points clear at the top of the Premier League, primarily thanks to Mikel Arteta.
Oh and then there was this when Spurs pipped Arsenal to Champions League qualification, which wasn't received too kindly by either fanbase, really.
However, again, it all proved to be entirely true, yet at the time Carragher, Neville, and fans were lambasting Arteta and Arsenal.
Oh, & then there was this, and I think we can all agree that this has proven to be true as well.
I have nothing personal against Antonio Conte - I am merely analysing the football. I feel sorry for him that he lost his job, but I cannot say I'm surprised about reality right now.
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Liverpool almost certainly see Jérémy Jacquet as the heir to van Dijk.
Ridiculous profile.
Aerially dominant, aggressive in duels, monster athlete, uniquely long limbs, can play LCB, top on the ball, glides like VVD, assured with an aura. Just needs to mature.
Freak of nature.
I thought Yoro might have been that guy but Jacquet is on another level athletically.
Only thing lacking in his profile and what will tell in time is does he have leadership? Can he look after his own game, let alone lead the defensive line? How reliable is he week in, week out?
In elite-level scouting, you should be able to assess these things with clips, live scouting, references, and speaking to the boy.
Yoro profiled amazingly but looked like someone who would need time.
🔴 Arsenal couldn’t have picked a better time to play Liverpool.
The attack has lost its edge without Salah & in the new diamond shape.
Slot's press is still exploitable.
Plus, Arteta WILL give Arsenal the tactical conditions to win.
Now it’s on his team to execute.
Thread 👇
Liverpool's new-found idea often kills the flow of games because of how difficult they are to press, so Arsenal will need to be patient and defend deep at times.
However, when they do, their intention will be to press where possible.
But they can also be content in that moment.
That change has been to a diamond.
Fullbacks hold the width and at least 4 midfielders packing the middle (if not 5).
Liverpool are very fluid in this moment as each midfielder has license to feel the spaces and roam accordingly.
Spurs weren’t perfect — but the ideas were exceptional.
If this version of Spurs becomes consistent, Thomas Frank can transform the club.
THREAD! 🚨
Thomas Frank reminded us all that he is a top tactician last night.
We just need to see it more often.
Roberto De Zerbi-esque build-up:
🔹 4-2-4,
🔹 Can play over to 1v1's on the top line,
🔹 Narrow positioning to land on 2nd balls,
🔹 Solutions to build vs man-to-man.
TOP 💯
Higher up, Porro inverted into the back 3, Bentancur and Sarr formed a double pivot, and Udogie inverted into the half space between the lines with Johnson holding the width.
3-2-5.
But Porro had license to make the shape a 2-3-5 when Newcastle only left 1 up in transition.
Pep Guardiola has found his latest Manchester City blueprint for success.
It is similar to Arne Slot methodology which saw Liverpool win the title last season.
Imperfect, but it works.
Here's why City can push Arsenal and compete for BOTH the PL & CL this season 🤯
THREAD! 🚨
Pep Guardiola & Manchester City latest stylistic iteration is most similar to Unai Emery & Aston Villa…
Zonal pressing from goal kicks & willing to sit off in a passive block whilst hitting teams on the counter but also still playing out from the back with positional play high.
Manchester City's and Pep's new identity has only become set in stone in recent weeks.
They tried to press in their Lijnders inspired zonal system and had success from goal kicks, but not in open play - they were killed.
Now, they ACCEPT being pinned back and can defend deep.
The new iteration of Pep Guardiola's Manchester City have some clear issues:
💎 Despite being a top coach, Lijnders' defensive idea has not worked whatsoever with this group of players.
💎 Lack physicality to lead the press and win duels.
💎 Missing top-end quality in key areas.
In possession, nobody doubts the quality of Guardiola's structure.
The idea almost always makes total sense.
City build in a 4-3-3 (or a 4-2-4 if Bernardo drops deep) before morphing into a 3-2-5 with Stones inverted into midfield.
Structurally, absolutely no problems here…
But compare the quality Pep had in his previous teams vs now:
Donnarumma is worse technically than Ederson.
Oscar Bobb is not as threatening as Mahrez.
Savinho is not as threatening as Grealish (the treble winning version).
Foden is not De Bruyne.