Arsenal: 5 tactical improvements during unbeaten run

3. Keeping the Midfield Simple – With Options

Across this entire run the best performances have been the ones where the midfield has been kept as a simple double pivot. No fancy movements, no unnecessary cover, just two players working in sync who offer options on the ball and protection in front of the back four.

Looking at the displays where Arsenal suffered brings Brighton into the frame. The Seagulls are a strong side and that has to be taken into account, yet fielding a duo of Sambi and Thomas Partey while asking the Belgian to effectively play left centre-back was to nobody’s benefit.

Even when Granit Xhaka was in the team against Tottenham he wasn’t tasked with moving into those zones, areas he normally always picks up. Then, against Crystal Palace, when Arsenal weren’t in control they looked frail centrally and too easily played through with just Partey in there.

Switching over to Aston Villa and Leicester, where Sambi and Partey were very much a central midfield partnership, tells a different story: Arsenal were able to progress the ball centrally with more fluidity, protect the back four and allow their pivot to fluctuate between No. 6 and No. 8 duties in tandem with one another.

Two players with skillsets to match either, Villa in particular saw the best of Sambi come out. In terms of team pressing it also makes Arsenal more functional, and as much as there was giddiness over the initial implementing of the 4-1-4-1, the team has looked more structured and progressive with two midfielders acting as midfielders.

Continued…