Arsenal Vs Manchester United: 5 things we learned – Unai Emery out?

2. What happened to the high press?

When Unai Emery arrived at Arsenal, in his very first press conference, he was asked what his footballing approach would be. He replied with two main tenets: for his players to play offensive football, being protagonists on the ball, playing with bravery and creativity; and to implement a high press. Well, both are difficult to find at present, especially the latter.

Arsenal often set up as if they are going to press the ball. The striker closes down the centre-back. The midfield pushes up. The initial passes are seemingly cut off. But there is no intensity in their execution, the backline is too deep, leaving vast spaces in the midfield, and they are ultimately far too easy to play through. And there is no actual pressing.

While the players may be stood in a position to press the ball, they never actually get close to the opposing players. They never actually put pressure on the ball and force errant passes, touches or shots, as displayed by Scott McTominay’s opening strike. So, I ask one fairly simple and depressing question: What happened to the high press? Because at present, I cannot see one.