Arsenal: 5 improvements under Mikel Arteta this season

Arsenal: 5 improvements under Arteta this season

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts at the final whistle during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Norwich City at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 11, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images) /

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LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 26: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates after scoring their side’s third goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on September 26, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

3. Arsenal’s Game Management

Against Tottenham having already boasted a three goal lead, while it would have been enjoyable to see Arsenal go for the jugular and add gloss to the scoreline, all the team had to do was match Spurs’ intensity to see the game out.

It’s not the prettiest approach, nor was it at Burnley and Brighton. Yet, it’s effective.

A strong rearguard is helpful to defending a lead just as is Arteta appointing clear job roles and responsibilities to his players during certain game states. While Arsenal won’t be able to defend a lead every time there is certainly greater confidence in them to do so with the defensive structure he instilled early on in his reign balanced out with greater attacking impetus.

Not always the case of defending a lead, Arsenal are also wise to know when to pounce. The second half against Spurs was far more reserved, but that is the because the job was already done. There was no sitting back after the opener and smelling blood his side were devastating in transition.

At home to Norwich with the game entering the final stages it wasn’t an 11-man low block and instead the attackers wasted a gluttony of chances to kill the game off. In those moment against such opposition the team can push for more.

It’s pleasant to see Arteta instill a clarity of thought into the players of what they can and can’t do in certain game states, as well as when to strike and when not to.

Continued…

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