3 key tactical principles that will help Arsenal improve in 2022/23

2. Superb build-up structure

Let’s go back to Arteta’s first game as Arsenal boss again, shall we?

On that day, a 2-3-5 possession structure in the mould of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City was on display. Ainsley Maitland-Niles functioned as an inverted full-back and thus joined the midfield line, while each vertical channel was occupied in the final third with left-back Bukayo Saka overlapping.

Arsenal’s structure under Arteta has rarely come under question, and they’ve been able to score some archetypal Gunners goals as a result. Do I need to remind you of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s opener in the 2019/20 FA Cup semi-final against Man City, or his goal in the 2020 Community Shield? Back-to-front, left-to-right.

Unfortunately, the technical incompetence of some has prevented Arsenal from dominating contests in the manner Arteta desires.

Now, however, the boss is blessed with a personnel grouping that’ll maximise his elite structure. Arsenal’s positional play is superb, and the flexibility of particular individuals means they can line up in multiple ways. Against Sevilla, though, Arsenal built in a compact 2-3 structure with Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko inverting to join Thomas Partey in midfield.

This set-up provides several central passing lanes and compactness in defensive transition. The wingers, meanwhile, can isolate one-vs-one against their respective full-backs.

The only slight drawback is the presence of Granit Xhaka in a more advanced position. Ideally, Arteta would want a midfielder more comfortable from an attacking sense taking up the positions Xhaka occupied on Saturday.

As a result of Arteta’s brilliant structure, each Arsenal player is blessed with multiple options once they receive possession. Decisions are made for players, making their lives much easier. That’s coaching.

Continued on the next slide…