Arsenal: 5 tactical improvements during unbeaten run

5. The Speed of Build-Up Play

One of the more alarming statistics that kept cropping up last season was the speed of Arsenal’s build-up. Perhaps for those who don’t tune in every week it provided some insight, but supporters of the club didn’t need it in writing. They knew plain well.

No team built play up through the thirds slower than Arsenal. Lowest in metres gained per second, and not far off the bottom of the list for passes per shot, it was pedestrian to the point of pensioner.

Teams could stroll back into shape and once the ball was cleared it took an excruciatingly long time to get it back to the final third. It was boring beyond belief.

Arsenal have also been guilty of being boring this season, in fairness. In other words, not fun. But there has been a steady increase across this run and the speed with which Arsenal attack is vastly improved. Almost all of the aforementioned traits play their part – options in midfield, high line and high press – as well as having a better quality of progressive players: Gabriel and White and extraordinary improvements on Holding and Mari.

Someone like White who can carry through the lines are switch play effortlessly is aided by Gabriel whose fizzed balls into feet catch the opposition off guard. Having Smith Rowe on the left to drive in possession helps, just as two nimble, press resistant midfielders like Sambi and Partey do too. Aaron Ramsdale’s otherworldly distribution plays a huge role too, and Arsenal can go back to front with blistering speed.

In terms of specific reasons why build up is faster, a lot of it is down to personnel and understanding the economy of touches. Other statistical elements help explain the matter, such as Arsenal averaging 11 less progressive carries per 90 minutes than last season (sample size klaxon) with a greater emphasis on playing through the lines with pace.

On the whole, though, it is more pleasing on the eye, adds threat in possession and plays to the players’ strengths. Still far from the quickest in the division, it’s nevertheless greatly improved.