Arsenal vs Liverpool: 4 key tactical requirements vs Klopp’s side

4. Get Close to Alexandre Lacazette

Alexandre Lacazette is not in the elite bracket of holding up the ball, but he’s nonetheless very strong in this field. What separates him from the very best in the business is his inability to turn on the ball and burst beyond his man.

One of the noticeable aspects of his performance against West Ham was how effectively, and frequently, he did this, yet it remains a skill a touch beyond his boundaries.

That aside, when the ball is played up to him it usually sticks. Smart at winning fouls in this position, if Arsenal want to keep building up and breaking out of the inevitable pressure the visitors will place on them, they need to get bodies around him.

Managing to do so with two exceptional counter-attacking players in Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli was testament to everyone’s heroic performances in the first leg. These were more fast transitions with three players advanced at the most, though, and not the beginning of progressive building up the pitch.

It’s not known who will partner Sambi Lokonga in midfield. Martin Odegaard is a possibility to drop deeper alongside him, and if so it’s then on Emile Smith Rowe to play the No. 10 position. Whoever it may be, getting those distances right will not only allow Arsenal to retain possession in key moments, it also helps preserve Lacazette’s energy as so much can be expended chasing balls he might lose due to a lack of passing options.

So key to how Arsenal construct patterns centrally, he has to be supported accordingly.