Arsenal Vs Liverpool: Unai Emery got it right

Unai Emery switched up his tactics in Arsenal’s 3-1 defeat to Liverpool on Saturday. Despite lots of criticism for his approach, he was actually spot on.

Liverpool are better than Arsenal. A lot better. Consequently, when preparing to face them, it is natural to adapt. And on Saturday, Unai Emery, the head coach, did precisely that.

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Usually, he would implement a high-pressing scheme, one that looks to pressure the opponent into mistakes, force turnovers high up the pitch, and control the match through territory and extended periods of possession. But that was very much not the case here.

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This time around, Emery used a 4-4-2 diamond, a system that is not widely implemented in modern football. He asked Nicolas Pepe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to stay high up the pitch, used four central midfielders to compact the middle of the pitch, and defended very deep, allowing Liverpool to cross into the box but then looking to break with speed and directness, exploiting the advanced positions of Liverpool’s full-backs.

It does not take a long look at social media to find plenty of criticism for Emery’s tactical decisions, especially dropping Alexandre Lacazette. The conservatism was viewed as defeatism, the overall control Liverpool enjoyed apparently hinting at Emery’s tactical errors. But in reality, his selection ploys were largely successful. The fault of the performance lies not with Emery’s tactics, but rather with the players who failed to execute those tactics.

Take the first half, which is a more accurate representation of the match situation. Arsenal conceded from a set-piece, not open play. That is not the fault of Emery’s tactics. Nicolas Pepe failed to score a one-on-one that was created from the explosive, counter-attacking play Emery instructed.

Similarly, after the break, Emery could not account for David Luiz and his two moments of madness. He is not to blame for Granit Xhaka not passing the ball forwards or Dani Ceballos losing his legs after ten minutes or Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang squandering decent opportunities.

Arsenal lost this match, not because of tactics, but rather due to the execution of the crucial moments, specifically finishing in the final third on the counter-attack and defensive play from set-pieces and against Mohamed Salah. Emery made mistakes, of course. Lucas Torreira should have started, as should Lacazette. But the overall strategy was the correct one.

You have to earn the right to play expansively at Anfield. You have to prove that you are good enough. The Gunners have not come close to that, and Emery knew it. So he adapted, and he almost got it spot on.