What Arsenal must do to get three points vs Leeds

4. Give White & Gabriel Options in Build Up

Who wants to hear how Leeds set their teams up again? Nope, didn’t think so.

But the byproduct of their touch-tight man-marking approach – as noted here – is that it gives freedom to the opposition’s central defenders to carry the ball through the first line of press.

Using a solitary striker ensures one of the two opposing centre-backs (in a back four) is given those extra yards of grass before the trigger is pulled to close him down, something that will be music to Benjamin White’s ears. And he’ll know all about that very approach.

The only other time White has returned to Elland Road as an opposition player he actually featured in midfield for Brighton, yet coming up against opposition who will know his every strength means that it’s likely to be he who will be the subject of the striker’s marking.

Whether Gabriel or White take it in turns to be the starting point for attacks, they have to be given options on the ball. If Arteta is to go with a more fluid formation where Xhaka can drift off to the left then he has to have someone else coming into the midfield to provide the additional passing lanes for the central defenders.

The key is movement. Movement everywhere. When Leeds go touch tight then bodies need to come short to provide the diagonal options White loves to hit. When the ball goes to feet there has to be two options minimum to form triangles to go through the press.

White and Gabriel will crucial in this game and providing them with the tools they need to be decisive will be among the key tactical points worked on in the short days leading up to Saturday night.