Tactical Analysis - Arsenal And Tottenham Hotspur Display Contrasting Midfield Movement

Arsenal FC put up a wonderful display against Tottenham Hotspur as Giroud scored the only goal in the match. We bring you a detailed tactical analysis of the game.

Olivier Giroud can apparently only score in London at the moment, but try telling this to the Arsenal fans who celebrated a memorable victory over arch rivals Tottenham Hotspur as the Frenchman’s wonderful goal proved to be the winner, in the first North London derby of the season. This was a huge result for the Gunners, not only because the normal bragging rights were at stake, but because it was a statement made by the club that the reported power shift in North London, due to Tottenham’s and Arsenal’s contrasting transfer activity this summer, is anything but done.

Although this victory doesn’t change the fact that Arsene Wenger needs to spend big on the deadline day, this performance reinforces the belief that the squad is only two quality signing away from challenging for titles. For Tottenham, this would have been a reality check. For all the quality addition, they still need to incorporate those players into the team, and that this new squad will take time before they get used to each other – their is no immediate success.

Starting Line-up

Arsenal Line-Up (4-2-3-1) ai??i?? Szczesny (GK); Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Wilshere, Ramsey; Walcott, Rosicky, Cazorla; Giroud

Tottenham Hotspur Line-Up (4-3-3) ai??i?? Lloris (GK); Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Roe; Paulinho, Capoue, Dembele; Townsend, Soldado, Chadli

Arsene Wenger was forced to make one last minute change to the line-up as Bacary Sagna was ill and Jenkinson started in his place, although the Frenchman did come on as a substitute in the second half of the match.

Tottenham Hotspur made no changes to the line-up that was fielded against Swansea in their previous match. New signing Erik Lamela started from the bench, while Christian Eriksen and Vlad Chiriches were not included in the squad.

Initial effort to exploit Jenkinson

The visiting side started the match well and dominated possession in Arsenalai??i??s half, but without creating too many clear cut chances. An early pattern was formed in the match where Tottenham looked to exploit their left flank. Michael Dawson used his long range passing ability to pick out Chadli on the left with cross field balls. Interestingly the English defender attempted 13 long balls in the match, and 10 of them were accurate.

Dawson_Pass_arsenal(c)squawka — Note how Dawson targeted Chadli with his cross field passes

Chadli and Rose looked to double up on the inexperienced Jenkinson as most of Tottenhamai??i??s early attack and possession came down their left hand side. The problem that Arsenal faced was the fact that Theo Walcott is not known for tracking back and helping out his defenders, it created some space between the winger the right back. But the Gunners sorted that out quickly as Wilshere, Ramsey and even Cazorla covered this space and they were able to restrict Chadliai??i??s influence on the game.

Arsenal responded by attacking down the right

In an almost reactive tactics, the Gunners overloaded their right flank and most of their openings came down the right hand side. Interestingly, Cazorla, who showed brilliant movement in this game, often drifted wide to the right after Tottenhamai??i??s initial attack down that flank, while Theo moved infield and looked to exploit the gap between the center-backs and the fullbacks ai??i?? a trend that would gradually grow as the match progressed. The shift of Arsenalai??i??s attack was not limited to Cazorla or Walcott, even Aaron Ramsey looked to initiate the attack down that side. Arsenal almost overloaded their right hand side, in reaction to the space Chadli and Rose were enjoying down that wing. This helped in pushing back Rose and his participation in attack was greatly reduced.

It was almost predictable that Arsenalai??i??s goal would come down that side. Theo Walcott got behind the defence down the flank in a counter-attack and his low cross was turned in by Giroud in the near post as he made a fantastic run across the goal. It was a deserving lead for Arsenal, who slowly gained a foothold on the game as Tottenham failed to create any opening of their own despite dominating possession.

Difference in movement between the Arsenal midfield and Tottenham midfield

Arsenal looked threatening every time they launched an attack and most of that was down to the brilliant movement among the players in the attacking third. Rosicky and Cazorla continued to swap roles, as each took turns to play through the center or move out wide on the left. Interestingly, while Tottenham had possession, Rosicky looked to move out to the left in order to help out defensively, while Cazorla stayed in the middle to initiate break. But when Arsenal had possession, Cazorla and Rosicky looked to swap role.

The intricate movement was not left only to Rosicky and Cazorla, as Aaron Ramsey made some wonderful runs with the ball as well. Ramsey was all over the pitch and was almost playing the game with four lungs. At one moment, he was seen on the center hustling Dembele or Paulinho, but in the next moment, he would make a darting run down the right taking on Dembele, which created an opportunity, where Walcottai??i??s shot/cross was saved by Lloris.

But perhaps most importantly, it was the shape that Arsenalai??i??s midfield maintained, which stood out. The trio of Ramsey, Rosicky and Cazorla stayed close to each other, and formed triangles among themselves, which helped in one touch passing and gave them a lot of options in attack. Similarly, while defending Wilshere, Ramsey and Rosicky formed almost a three man blanket in front of the defence, or pressed together as a team. Wilshere, who was later replaced by Flamini, showed great tactical discipline while he was on the pitch and carried out his defensive role fantastically. This showed shape, awareness of space and distance among each other is a massive improvement on what was on display on the opening day against Aston Villa.

Tottenhamai??i??s midfield display couldnai??i??t be contrasting to Arsenalai??i??s organisation and teamwork. There was a clear lack of understanding between the trio of Dembele, Paulinho and Capoue ai??i?? something which is expected from a team playing together for the first time this season. Capoue sat deep, in front of the defence, and looked to control the game from there, while Paulinho and Dembele were the midfield runners. But things didnai??i??t go according to plan as Capoue was either closed down when had the possession as he looked a bit off the pace, and to be fair to him, Paulinho or Dembele didnai??i??t help him out as well. A vast space appeared between Capoue and the rest of the midfielders, and most of the time was left with little option but to spread the ball out wide or back to the defence. But their understanding is expected to improve as they play more matches together.

Contrasting wing play and Tottenhamai??i??s lack of creativity down the middle

There was an interesting contrast in how both the teams attacked down the flanks. Theo Walcott was willing to take on the full-back and go round the outside to deliver crosses into the box ai??i?? like traditional wingers are supposed to do. It meant, Giroud was always able to make his runs, anticipating the cross, and he was provided with decent service from the wide areas by Cazorla and Rosicky. But Tottenham were playing with inverted wingers on the flanks, and this resulted in their attack becoming a bit predictable.

Right footed Chadli played down the left, while left footed Townsend played down the right. Whenever either of them had the ball, their primary instinct was to drift infield and have a shot at goal. Townsend, who was Tottenhamai??i??s biggest attacking threat in this match, had a number of attempts on goal by cutting in onto his left foot from the right wing. This resulted in two things ai??i?? firstly it crowded the midfield, which denied the likes of Dembele or Paulinho the space down the middle, and secondly Tottenham were able to test Arsenalai??i??s ability to defend crosses. Most of the balls that came into the Arsenal box from the wide positions, were delivered by the fullbacks and this took place mostly during the dying moments of the match.

Another problem that was highlighted was Tottenhamai??i??s lack of creativity down the middle. Roberto Soldado looked a frustrated figure upfront as he didnai??i??t receive any significant service either from the wings or from the likes of Dembele and Paulinho. Tottenham are yet to score a goal from open play in 270 minutes of Premier League football this season. Dembele and Paulinho failed to provide the spark through the middle and statistics shows that only 26% of Tottenhamai??i??s attack came down the center.

Andres Villas Boas would hope that the inclusion of Eriksen into the side would help in solving the problem, something which they have faced since the departure of Modric to Real Madrid.

Star performer

Aaron Ramsey

The Welshman is finally fulfilling his potential and dark days of injuries are well and truly behind him. He has certainly been the most improved Arsenal player over the last six or seven months and is expected to have a huge impact in Arsenalai??i??s campaign this season. Ramsey was everywhere on the pitch against Tottenham. At one moment, he was helping out the full-backs defensively, the other moment he was making his traditional runs from the midfield or initiating attacks. His energy and determination were infectious and he didnai??i??t allow either of Dembele and Paulinho time or space on the ball. Ramsey was tenacious in tackling and has seemingly improved his physical strength as well. But perhaps most importantly, he is playing with immense confidence in his abilities, something which he has lacked at times in the past.

Highlights

Tags: Arsenal FC Tottenham Hotspur

Tactical Analysis – Arsenal FC And Tottenham Display Contrasting Midfield Movement

Recommended

How Manchester United could line up under Ruben Amorim

Five players Ruben Amorim should look to sign for Manchester United

Real Madrid and a defence that needs an immediate overhaul

Three potential January Real Madrid targets to cover for Eder Militao

Welcome Back!

Retrieve your password