Arsenal: 5 tactical demands for Martin Odegaard in 4-2-3-1

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal shakes hands with team mate Pierre Emerick Aubameyang during the warm up prior to the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on February 21, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

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LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 03: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) /

4. Engineering the Press

Arsenal shift into a variety of formations at different stages of matches, dependent on whether they are in possession or out of it.

In attack the team moulds into variations of a 2-3-5, while as seen last season when moving into a mid or high-block, Arsenal adopted a 4-4-2 defensive shape.

This usually saw Aubameyang partner Odegaard up top. In those instances it was always the Norwegian who instigated the press, often found instructing his teammates on where they should be assisting.

While not in any way a speed merchant, his boundless energy in this instances was infectious among his teammates and even if not winning possession back high up the pitch he nonetheless cut off passing lanes for opposition defenders in the process.

Given the 4-2-3-1 is set to stay with the personnel and system at Arsenal near enough the same bar upgrades (Luiz-White, Sambi-Ceballos), a defensive 4-4-2 shape also could be in use for the majority of fixtures.

Will we see more of Odegaard directing Nicolas Pepe on who to target? Most definitely.

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