Arsenal vs Liverpool
— Mikel Arteta vs Jurgen Klopp
— Exploiting The Space Between The Lines
— Jorginho & Havertz
— Tactical Tweaks
[THREAD]
— Mikel Arteta vs Jurgen Klopp
— Exploiting The Space Between The Lines
— Jorginho & Havertz
— Tactical Tweaks
[THREAD]
Arsenal showed their pressing intensity from the first minute — disrupting Liverpool’s build-up.
Nunez on the bench and Salah’s absence are a big loss for Liverpool, as they can exploit the space behind and are very dangerous in transitions.
Jones & Gomez were interchanging positions as the double pivot (with Mac Allister) and as the LB, so Rice stepped up to press the pivot while Saka pressed the LB — regardless of who occupied the position.
There was also an example of Jota dropping deep into the double pivot — trying to create fluidity against Arsenal’s M2M press.
Nunez on the bench and Salah’s absence are a big loss for Liverpool, as they can exploit the space behind and are very dangerous in transitions.
Jones & Gomez were interchanging positions as the double pivot (with Mac Allister) and as the LB, so Rice stepped up to press the pivot while Saka pressed the LB — regardless of who occupied the position.
There was also an example of Jota dropping deep into the double pivot — trying to create fluidity against Arsenal’s M2M press.
To create numerical superiority Liverpool tried to use Alisson more as the back 3 in possession — especially when Arsenal already transitioned into their 4-4-2 defensive shape.
This created problems when Arsenal’s pressing was triggered, Odegaard tried to predict Konate’s pass to Alisson but he then passed it to Mac Allister instead.
He progressed and succeeded in finding Gakpo between Arsenal’s CBs.
This created problems when Arsenal’s pressing was triggered, Odegaard tried to predict Konate’s pass to Alisson but he then passed it to Mac Allister instead.
He progressed and succeeded in finding Gakpo between Arsenal’s CBs.
Meanwhile, Jorginho was playing a bit higher as the LCM but was still much involved in the Arsenal's build-up.
I think this was for more defensive security with Rice in the base — especially against a transitional side like Liverpool.
When Zinchenko inverted, he dropped wide to create the overload/passing lane against Liverpool’s hybrid 4-1-4-1 press — this created distance to Mac Allister.
I think this was for more defensive security with Rice in the base — especially against a transitional side like Liverpool.
When Zinchenko inverted, he dropped wide to create the overload/passing lane against Liverpool’s hybrid 4-1-4-1 press — this created distance to Mac Allister.
Jorginho formed a double pivot when Zinchenko didn’t invert — this changed the shape to 4-2-2-2 with Havertz operating between the lines.
This also created more numerical superiority for Arsenal in deep build-up, Arsenal had 6 players (7 with Raya) against Liverpool’s 4-1, then with Havertz & Odegaard appearing between the lines to help the progression — more space for Mac Allister to cover.
Zinchenko can also interchange with Havertz — holding the width & inverting to the LCM.
1. Havertz pinned Gakpo ➡️ Zinchenko free wide
2. Zinchenko pinned Gakpo ➡️ Havertz free wide
(Also allowing Martinelli to be more central)
Zinchenko can also interchange with Havertz — holding the width & inverting to the LCM.
1. Havertz pinned Gakpo ➡️ Zinchenko free wide
2. Zinchenko pinned Gakpo ➡️ Havertz free wide
(Also allowing Martinelli to be more central)
Jorginho forming a double pivot with Havertz appearing between the lines created problems for Liverpool.
In the process for the 1st goal, Gravenberch stepped up to press Gabriel (helping Jota) but this opened up the access to Jorginho.
Havertz was also free because Gakpo was pinned by Zinchenko and Mac Allister hadn’t arrive yet to cover.
In the process for the 1st goal, Gravenberch stepped up to press Gabriel (helping Jota) but this opened up the access to Jorginho.
Havertz was also free because Gakpo was pinned by Zinchenko and Mac Allister hadn’t arrive yet to cover.
Arsenal could progress by quick combinations in wide areas and then finding Odegaard between the lines after Mac Allister was pinned by Havertz's runs.
Odegaard being free forced Van Dijk to react and left more space behind for the goal.
Odegaard being free forced Van Dijk to react and left more space behind for the goal.
Arsenal looked to stay in their 4-4-2 compact shape after the goal, so Liverpool got more possession.
Liverpool’s attacking shape was more of a 2-2-2-4/2-2-6 with Gomez inverting while Trent stayed wide.
They tried to bait Arsenal’s press to find Mac Allister/Gomez for the progression — often using Alisson to create numerical superiority.
Liverpool’s attacking shape was more of a 2-2-2-4/2-2-6 with Gomez inverting while Trent stayed wide.
They tried to bait Arsenal’s press to find Mac Allister/Gomez for the progression — often using Alisson to create numerical superiority.
Liverpool also high-pressed more aggressively, waiting for Arsenal’s pass to wide areas so that they could outnumber them (they took the risk of Martinelli getting more space on the left side).
This allowed them to sustain the pressure.
This allowed them to sustain the pressure.
If Alisson didn’t step up, Mac Allister could drop deeper to stretch Liverpool’s CBs (and also Arsenal’s front two) and utilize his ball-carrying for the progression.
With Arsenal’s narrow shape, Liverpool were more dangerous when they attacked the wide areas.
But Arsenal often recovered quickly and defended well as a unit.
With Arsenal’s narrow shape, Liverpool were more dangerous when they attacked the wide areas.
But Arsenal often recovered quickly and defended well as a unit.
Because Jota often dropped deeper (operating between the lines), Rice didn’t high press the double pivot (only Jorginho), so that Liverpool could progress by finding the free man.
This led to a dangerous situation for Liverpool with Trent almost finding Gakpo in the box from wide areas.
This led to a dangerous situation for Liverpool with Trent almost finding Gakpo in the box from wide areas.
Either in deep/advanced build-up, Arsenal were allowing more space for Liverpool's double pivot and more focusing on minimizing the space for the players between the lines.
Because of Liverpool’s constant progression, Saka was then tasked to press the double pivot — leaving Liverpool’s LB free.
This succeeded in forcing Liverpool to play direct but they were able to win the duel and Diaz could take advantage of the communication issues between Saliba & Raya to get the equalizer.
This succeeded in forcing Liverpool to play direct but they were able to win the duel and Diaz could take advantage of the communication issues between Saliba & Raya to get the equalizer.
Liverpool started dangerously in the 2nd half.
Arsenal’s press changed again in the 2nd half, with Saka pressing the LB while Jorginho was tasked to stay in between Liverpool’s double pivot.
Liverpool could progress after baiting Jorginho to one side which opened up the access to one of the double pivot (ex: Jones).
Arsenal’s press changed again in the 2nd half, with Saka pressing the LB while Jorginho was tasked to stay in between Liverpool’s double pivot.
Liverpool could progress after baiting Jorginho to one side which opened up the access to one of the double pivot (ex: Jones).
Jota continued to disrupt Arsenal’s pressing structure — dropping wide to create the overload and trapping Rice between Jones.
Huge chance for Liverpool.
Huge chance for Liverpool.
Liverpool made some changes with Nunez/Elliot/Robertson coming on for Trent/Gravenberch/Gakpo in a 4-3-3/4-2-1-3 shape, so Arsenal adapted to their pressing structure.
— Martinelli & Havertz pressed Liverpool’s CBs & GK
— Odegaard & Rice pressed Liverpool’s double pivot, with Jorginho covering the space between the lines (Elliot)
— Kiwior and Saka pressed Liverpool’s FBs
— White on Diaz and Saliba on Nunez
— Gabriel was initially on Jota but could stay in position if Jota dropped too deep
— Martinelli & Havertz pressed Liverpool’s CBs & GK
— Odegaard & Rice pressed Liverpool’s double pivot, with Jorginho covering the space between the lines (Elliot)
— Kiwior and Saka pressed Liverpool’s FBs
— White on Diaz and Saliba on Nunez
— Gabriel was initially on Jota but could stay in position if Jota dropped too deep
This also changed Liverpool’s OOP tweaks with the structure becoming 4-3-3, Jones — Elliot helping Mac Allister to minimize the access between the lines.
Jorginho formed a double pivot more even before Zinchenko came off, Kiwior was positioned quite high and this allowed both Martinelli and Havertz to move centrally.
Jorginho formed a double pivot more even before Zinchenko came off, Kiwior was positioned quite high and this allowed both Martinelli and Havertz to move centrally.
With Liverpool’s 4-3-3 structure, Arsenal were unable to find access to Havertz/Odegaard/Martinelli so they tried to play direct and exploit the space behind.
Van Dijk & Alisson made a similar mistake with Raya & Saliba — this allowed Martinelli to take advantage of it.
Van Dijk & Alisson made a similar mistake with Raya & Saliba — this allowed Martinelli to take advantage of it.
Despite Arsenal getting less possession in both halves, Jorginho could still make an impact on Arsenal’s attack. His passing creativity was very useful in finding Arsenal’s attackers in dangerous positions.
For example here, Trent didn’t position himself well in Liverpool’s defensive block which created gaps for Havertz to attack.
Mac Allister was also unaware of Odegaard’s movements between the lines.
For example here, Trent didn’t position himself well in Liverpool’s defensive block which created gaps for Havertz to attack.
Mac Allister was also unaware of Odegaard’s movements between the lines.
Liverpool’s attacking shape was more of a 3-2-5/3-1-6 against Arsenal’s initial 4-4-2 but could turn into a deep block with more numbers at the back.
Saka/Martinelli/Havertz/Trossard dropped back into the backline to help track the runs/movements and win the duels.
Gomez was being used higher as the RB, and he struggled on the 1v1 vs 'fresh' Kiwior.
Saka/Martinelli/Havertz/Trossard dropped back into the backline to help track the runs/movements and win the duels.
Gomez was being used higher as the RB, and he struggled on the 1v1 vs 'fresh' Kiwior.
Arsenal remained compact and able to add one more goal through a counterattack.
Klopp had already substituted Gomez so Liverpool was left with only one natural defender (Van Dijk) on the pitch, Trossard was able to exploit the space on the left side and seal the game for Arsenal.
Klopp had already substituted Gomez so Liverpool was left with only one natural defender (Van Dijk) on the pitch, Trossard was able to exploit the space on the left side and seal the game for Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta after the game.
“I like dominance and not allowing any teams to breathe, more than control. And especially which part of the pitch that happens in, that’s the most important thing in my opinion. But we can be very chaotic in open spaces, we can create a lot of issues playing in different ways. That’s another weapon that we have.”
“I like dominance and not allowing any teams to breathe, more than control. And especially which part of the pitch that happens in, that’s the most important thing in my opinion. But we can be very chaotic in open spaces, we can create a lot of issues playing in different ways. That’s another weapon that we have.”
You’re probably playing FPL this season. But are you playing it the right way?
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