Arsenal vs Villa: 4 tactical improvements from Arteta’s side

2. Reintroducing Sambi Lokonga and Thomas Partey as a Double Pivot

There will be times where Partey can hold a midfield all on his own and Arsenal can field an additional attacking player on the pitch, just as there are times when the approach needs to be put on the back-burner.

While there are benefits galore in a 4-1-4-1 with two No. 8’s, the primary setback in adopting that approach is it tightens the shackles on the Ghanaian’s marauding prowess. A magnificent No. 6 who can break up play, intercept passes and tackle dribblers, Partey would, and already has had, a successful career being that and only that.

But there is more to him to unlock in a double pivot. And as witnessed on Friday, similar degrees of freedom attributed to Sambi Lokonga can have the same effect.

Together the pair can combine on the angle, always offering an option in possession either through the opposition press or as a safe pass to retain the ball. Both are progressive carriers and passers, traits that are allowed to sing when in a double pivot.

The result was Sambi offering a silky press breaking option on the half-turn to ease Arsenal through phase two of the build-up and maintain disorganisation in Villa’s shape. Furthermore, and this is so important, was the role of Nuno Tavares being a more set left-back with Gabriel shifting out, reducing the excruciating need for one of the pivot to drop into left centre-back and vacate the midfield.

This is how to get the best out of both Sambi and Partey. It needs to remain in place moving forward.

Continued…