Arsenal Vs Spurs: Okay, now it is time to press

Unai Emery employed a defensive gameplan against Liverpool on Saturday. As Arsenal now prepare to face Spurs, however, it is time to unleash the press.

Away at Anfield. Arguably the toughest match of the Premier League season. Unai Emery knew that his Arsenal team would have to be at their very best to even dream of snatching a result. He also knew that if they played in their usual, expansive, high-pressing style, they would be ripped apart, limb by limb, by a vicious Liverpool attack.

Find the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal Podcast here — The Big Unai Emery Debate

Emery, then, adapted his tactics. He used a 4-4-2 diamond, sat deep, compacting the central areas in an attempt to stem the threat of Liverpool’s front three, and hoped that his team could create opportunities on the counter-attack. He ceded possession and control and looked to win in the margins.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

Given the might of the task, it was a sensible shift in approach. It ultimately may have fallen short, but, as Mohamed Salah’s second goal painfully and clearly illustrated, Arsenal could not go toe-to-toe with Liverpool and expect to win. This was Emery trying to invent a victory through a clever change in tactics.

But this weekend, the tables turn — they don’t quit flip, but they certainly rotate a little. The Gunners host Spurs in the first North London Derby of the season. Spurs are the better team with the better players, despite their defeat to Newcastle United last weekend, and they have had the better of north London for several seasons now. But they are not in the same calibre as Liverpool, and that presents Emery with an opportunity to return to his roots, especially at home.

Emery has always wanted a high-octane, high-intensity, high-pressing team. But he also wants his side to be tactically flexible, recognising that they cannot play in the same manner every week. Sometimes, the quality and character of the opponent must dictate how you play. So against Liverpool, he adapted. But against Spurs, the high press can return once more.

Spurs do have some dangerous attacking players. Harry Kane is the best striker in the Premier League. Heung-Min Son is vastly underrated, while Lucas Moura, Dele Alli and Cristian Eriksen are all more than capable supporting pieces. But those attacking options lack the ferocious speed of Liverpool’s front three and are not quite as well-built to carve open opponents on the counter.

Moreover, while Liverpool have composed, athletic midfielders who are excellent at dealing with the ball under pressure, can Harry Winks, Tanguy Ndombele and Moussa Sissoko play the same release-valve-type forward passes to unleash counter-attacks if Arsenal are able to put them under severe pressure? Spurs certainly do not have the pressure-evading quality of Georginio Wijnaldum, the spraying distribution of Virgil van Dijk, or the relentless athleticism of the two full-backs. They are more susceptible to the high press.

With all this in mind, Emery must return to his high-pressing roots. Arsenal are at their best when they play on the front foot, Spurs lack the quality and counter-attacking speed to deal with it, and with a raucous Emirates behind them, the Gunners could rally to a critical North London Derby victory.