Build-Up Focus: Arne Slot’s Feyenoord vs Lazio

[THREAD] 4-2-4 Build-up (Box Midfield)

— Bijlow (GK) baiting the press
— Circulations to move the opponent’s press
— Find access to the double pivot
— Switch play to Paixao (LW) ➡️ Quick combo with Timber (LCM/AM)

— Gimenez (CF) exploits space behind

https://x.com/m_tfootbal63685/status/1783701687561277643

Arsenal vs Chelsea

“Hunger, Desire, & Opportunity”

[THREAD] Arsenal scored quickly which was started from their 3-2-2-3 build-up.

Chelsea wanted to minimize the central access but their double pivot was getting dragged away — Caicedo followed Odegaard’s movements to wide areas and this created gaps between him and Enzo.

How Bayern Munich Bypassed Arsenal’s Press

[THREAD] Bayern Munich kept progressing through the left-side vs Arsenal – the wide triangle consisting of Mazraoui, Musiala, and Guerreiro created problems.

Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid vs Inter

“How Atletico Gave Inter Their 1st Loss In 2024”

[THREAD] Atletico looked to defend more in their 5-4-1 mid-block but they were also ready to high press since Inter often tried to bait them.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal vs FC Porto

“We Always Play”

[THREAD] In the 1st leg, Arsenal played with Rice as the DM/6 — supported by White/Odegaard to form a double pivot.

Sérgio Conceição tasked Pepê in particular to jump when the ball was directed to the DM/6 (Rice).

https://x.com/MT_Analysis/status/1760653462692602182?s=20

Liverpool vs Man City

“How Both Teams Exploited The Space Between The Lines”

[THREAD] Similar to the 1st game at Etihad Stadium, Man City looked to exploit the space between the lines in Liverpool’s 4-1-4-1 shape.

Jorginho & Havertz, The Key vs FC Porto?

[THREAD] In the first leg, Arsenal struggled to find the breakthrough against Porto where they recorded 0 shots on target.

This was how Porto defended against them — minimizing the space for players who operate between the lines but leaving big space behind.

Player Focus: João Neves vs Rangers

[THREAD] Initially, Joao Neves played as the double pivot with Florentino Luis.

But he was operating deeper to dictate the build-up.

Kai Havertz & Jorginho Combo vs Sheffield United

[THREAD] Havertz often offers the run in-behind to attack the space — this allows players like Jorginho to have a constant/reliable target to progress the ball (especially with the ball over the top).

In the match against Sheffield United alone, there were 4 examples I used with one of them resulting in the goal.

Sebastian Hoeneß’s VfB Stuttgart

“The Young Coach No One Really Talks About”

[THREAD] Sebastian Hoeneß started his coaching journey at Hertha Zehlendorf’s U-19s — where he averaged 1.08 points per match in 26 games.

A year after he completed his 1st season, he moved to the Red Bull Leipzig as the U-17s head coach — increasing his points per match to 2.27.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal vs Newcastle

“Total Domination”

[THREAD] Arsenal looked to press aggressively against Newcastle’s 4-2 build-up from the start.

Rice was tasked to press Newcastle’s double pivot (Bruno — Longstaff) and reduce their influence — especially Bruno.

Sérgio Conceição’s FC Porto vs Arsenal

— Minimize Central Progression
— Limit Arsenal to 0 Shot On Target
— Arsenal’s In-Possession Issues

[THREAD] In the past few games, Arsenal succeeded in finding access to players between the lines. This was because they constantly created central overloads.

(Liverpool, West Ham, & Burnley)

Simone Inzaghi’s Inter Milan

"The Best Attack & Defence in Italy"

[THREAD] Simone Inzaghi’s Inter starts with a 3-5-2 shape, but it then changes into a back 4 in the deep build-up depending on which sides they play.

— The ball-side wingback drops deep to help the build-up while the far-side wingback pushes high (in-positioned to attack the space/outlet for the attack).

— When one of the wingbacks advancing, the wide centre-back usually slots in as the situational ‘FB’.

Manchester City vs Chelsea

— Pep Guardiola vs Mauricio Pochettino
— Chelsea’s Defensive Block
— Exploit The Space (& Alvarez)
— Tactical Tweaks

[THREAD] Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea pressed Man City with man-to-man and looked to force turnovers from the start.

Gallagher was marking Rodri closely to reduce his influence in the build-up.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal vs West Ham

— Fluid Build-up Without Zinchenko/Jorginho/Partey
— Ben White as The Inverted Fullback
— Odegaard’s All Phases Role
— Trossard & Havertz Between The Lines

[THREAD] Without Zinchenko/Jorginho/Partey in Arsenal’s line-up, Mikel Arteta made some tweaks in the build-up. Odegaard was given more responsibility in deep phases — often forming a double pivot with Rice.

Havertz & Trossard was the main target between the lines but Martinelli & Saka could also be another option — will discuss more below.

Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich

“To Be Dominant Without The Ball”

[THREAD] Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern took control of the possession from the start.

The build-up structure was 3-2-2-3/3-2-5, Min-Jae (left) & Upamecano (right) were deployed as the wide center-backs (WCBs) with Eric Dier at the centre.

Box midfield with Pavlovic & Goretzka double pivot while Sane & Musiala between the lines.

Boey (left) & Mazraoui (right) advanced and held the width.

Arsenal vs Liverpool

— Mikel Arteta vs Jurgen Klopp
— Exploiting The Space Between The Lines
— Jorginho & Havertz
— Tactical Tweaks

[THREAD]



Arsenal showed their pressing intensity from the first minute — disrupting Liverpool’s build-up.

Nunez on the bench and Salah’s absence are a big loss for Liverpool, as they can exploit the space behind and are very dangerous in transitions.

Jones & Gomez were interchanging positions as the double pivot (with Mac Allister) and as the LB, so Rice stepped up to press the pivot while Saka pressed the LB — regardless of who occupied the position.

There was also an example of Jota dropping deep into the double pivot — trying to create fluidity against Arsenal’s M2M press.

Liverpool vs Chelsea

— Klopp’s Setup Without Salah & Trent
— Quick Tempo
— Pressing Intensity
— Enzo Fernandez’s Positioning

[THREAD]



With Trent on the bench and Salah’s absence, Curtis Jones/Joe Gomez took turns to form a double pivot with Mac Allister.

Conor Bradley was positioned high on the right side, with Diogo Jota moving inside (mostly right halfspace).

Player Focus: Emile Smith Rowe (ESR) vs Nottingham Forest

— Playing as the left centre-midfielder
— Supporting runs/movements
— Relationship with Martinelli/Jesus

[THREAD]



Emile Smith Rowe finally got his 2nd start in the Premier League (vs Nottingham Forest) — where he played as the left centre-midfielder.

The last time he started was in Arsenal's 5-0 win against Sheffield United in October 2023.

Will Mikel Arteta Continue This Experiment?

[THREAD]



Mikel Arteta tried to experiment in the last two games of the 22/23 season (against Nottingham Forest and Wolves) where he played Thomas Partey as the right-back.

He can invert or stay wide depending on the conditions/situations.

Liverpool vs Newcastle

— Finding Answers Against Newcastle’s Plan
— Pressing Intensity (4.7 PPDA)
— Mohammed Salah 👑
— Impact Subs

[THREAD] In this game, Jurgen Klopp preferred the hybrid press instead of their usual man-to-man press.

Liverpool waited for the trigger (pass to the wide areas), before pressing aggressively.