Arsenal Vs Spurs: Pace brings two-pronged strategy

As Arsenal prepare for the second North London derby of the season, they are set to field an extremely quick attacking personnel. That pace brings a two-pronged strategy: the high press and quick-strike counter-attack.

Arsenal have a new-look attack. Obviously, the club-record signing of a new striker will do exactly that. But in the 5-1 demolition of Everton on Saturday, there was a clear difference in style, not just personnel. The Gunners played, namely, with pace and movement, and it now sets them up perfectly for the upcoming North London derby.

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In terms of the positional matchup problems that they can cause, there is an extremely good argument to be made that Tottenham Hotspur offer the greatest challenge to Arsene Wenger and his players. Strong, imposing midfielders, stifling, dominating defenders, fluid, interchangeable and intelligent attackers.

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But in the return tie of this fixture earlier in the year, Arsenal showcased one of the two ideal strategies: the suffocatingly high press. Implementing a 3-4-3 formation, Wenger turned to a high defensive line, energetic midfield and incessant front three to hammer the life out of Spurs from the very front, giving them no time or space on the ball and restricting the quality of their service forward.

That, again, allied with the attacking evolution that took place last weekend, is another avenue that Wenger could explore. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the likely starter as the spearhead of the attack, heralds from Jurgen Klopp’s uber-press at Borussia Dortmund, as does Henrikh Mkhitaryan, while the likes of Mesut Ozil, Alex Iwobi and Aaron Ramsey all benefit from a front-footed, aggressive approach.

However, the presence of Aubameyang provides Wenger with a greater tactical flexibility than with Alexis Sanchez or even Alexandre Lacazette leading the line because, although the latter two were extremely sharp in their movement in short spaces, possessing razored reactions and outstanding balance and agility, they do not boast the same long speed as the £56 million man. And that changes the very fabric of this Arsenal attack.

Counter-attacks have never been an aspect of the game that Wenger’s side have excelled at. They have preferred to play in a more methodical, thoughtful manner when in possession. But as evidenced on several occasions against Everton, with the searing quick Aubameyang fielded as the central striker, the likes of Ozil and Mkhitaryan now have a genuine burner to feed. And once he is released in behind the defence, there are few that will catch him.

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Now Arsenal have two ways in which they can approach Saturday’s derby: the high press or the quick-strike counter. Both have their merits; both can cause Spurs huge problems. And it is the ability to successfully implement both, the versatility in being able to switch between the two, that is perhaps Wenger’s greatest weapon. Spurs will struggle to contain their neighbours, that is for sure.