Arsenal Vs Liverpool: 5 things we learned – Knocking off the champions

3. That is what pressure does

Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal to defend with a high-pressing scheme. As Jurgen Klopp has mastered with Liverpool, he instructs the defensive line to squeeze up the pitch, to shrink the space in the opponent’s defensive third, and then cohesively pressuring the ball via the front three attacking players.

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This does not mean haring after the ball without a defined plan and coordination. Oftentimes, it simply means occupying a space between two opposing players, such that you can either close the ball or close down the passing lane, preventing the opposition from moving up the pitch with easy passes.

There is a very good reason for this. Pressure forces errors. That does not necessarily lead to turnovers in advanced areas, though it sometimes does, but it does make it difficult for the opposition to keep hold of possession and build out from the back. It invariably gives you the ball, and then that allows you to build pressure with extended periods of possession once more.

Pressure, then, can be a great instigator, controller, and even creator. For half an hour, Arsenal put no pressure on the ball. Then, they stepped up the pitch, were braver in their positioning, and pressed the Liverpool backline. They subsequently scored twice thanks to two Liverpool errors. It is not a coincidence. That is what pressure does.