Arsenal can exploit Manchester United tactical tweak

Manchester United’s Unpolished Pressing is Arsenal’s Advantage

This was something new from United. Attempts to press high previously have resulted in laughable Premier League capitulations at home to Liverpool, where the fractured movements across the team succeeded only in opening up more spaces for the opposition.

Against Chelsea there was more cohesion to their efforts, albeit infrequently and without any great success: Marcos Alonso had more touches in the United final third than the entire visiting team had in Chelsea’s.

Whether or not Rangnick had any input or not – and this was miles off some sudden replication of the German’s philosophy – it was nonetheless a closer reenactment to what he wants than seen from this team previously.

To come in and transform a team who would normally set up in a low block in the ‘big’ games seeking for rapid breaks up the other end to a side who wins the ball back within eight seconds of losing it and who shoots within ten seconds of regaining it is not an overnight fix.

It will take time, and it will be unpolished.

From Arsenal’s point of view, this is exactly what they’re after. Unable to withstand the majesty of Liverpool’s pressing in the second half for obvious reasons, any variation of spaces being closed down in the final third by players majorly new to the concept can work in their favour.

Teams that come on to Arsenal are welcome; for the most part Mikel Arteta’s side dealt well with Liverpool’s efforts until individual errors crept into the game. This group of players have the technical proficiency to play in tight areas and resist a press, while Aaron Ramsdale also becomes a prominent figure in games where he can let his distribution sing as the spare man in build-up.

Add to that the expected teething issues that come with implementing this style, whether it be by the hand of Carrick or Rangnick, and there should be cause for optimism in Arsenal quarters that they can take advantage of a team in a dealing with a stylistic transition.