Arsenal: 3 new tactical wrinkles Mikel Arteta has introduced

Mikel Arteta showed off a new system and approach in Arsenal’s defeat to Brighton. Here are three new tactical wrinkles he introduced and whether they are positive amendments.

Arsenal’s match against Manchester City was very difficult to properly analyse. Because of the superiority of Pep Guardiola’s team and David Luiz’s red card early in the second half, it offered a very different context to normal matches. Saturday’s loss to Brighton and Hove Albion, however, was much more akin to the routine Premier League games that the Gunners will play. And Mikel Arteta introduced some interesting tactical wrinkles that have not been seen before.

Here are three amendments he made to the team and whether they worked or not.

3. Starting in a 4-3-3

Prior to lockdown, Arteta exclusively used a 4-2-3-1 shape. He added his own ideas to the basic shape which made it look a little different at times, but the foundational shape was the same as the much-used formation. For a large part, it was a successful system that suited the players he had available to him, especially Granit Xhaka and Mesut Ozil who do not as easily fit into a 4-3-3.

However, on Saturday, with both Xhaka and Ozil out of the starting XI, Arteta switched to a 4-3-3-based shape, one much more reminiscent of Manchester City’s 4-3-3, which is where Arteta developed as an assistant coach. This, it seems, will be the future of the team and the players who are added to the club must fit this system.

In modern football, this shift is a positive move from Arteta. Arsenal looked much more balanced in this shape than they did before lockdown. They were rarely exposed on the counter-attack by Brighton and dictated play for large periods throughout. The 4-3-3 is here to stay, and that is no bad thing.

<p>Here are three amendments he made to the team and whether they worked or not.</p> <div id="attachment_102307" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-102307" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/21/arsenal-3-new-tactical-wrinkles-mikel-arteta-introduced/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1250982098-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">(Photo by Gareth Fuller/Pool via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>3. Starting in a 4-3-3</h4> <p>Prior to lockdown, Arteta exclusively used a 4-2-3-1 shape. He added his own ideas to the basic shape which made it look a little different at times, but the foundational shape was the same as the much-used formation. For a large part, it was a successful system that suited the players he had available to him, especially Granit Xhaka and Mesut Ozil who do not as easily fit into a 4-3-3.</p> <p>However, on Saturday, with both Xhaka and Ozil out of the starting XI, Arteta switched to a 4-3-3-based shape, one much more reminiscent of Manchester City’s 4-3-3, which is where Arteta developed as an assistant coach. This, it seems, will be the future of the team and the players who are added to the club must fit this system.</p> <p>In modern football, this shift is a positive move from Arteta. Arsenal looked much more balanced in this shape than they did before lockdown. They were rarely exposed on the counter-attack by Brighton and dictated play for large periods throughout. The 4-3-3 is here to stay, and that is no bad thing.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/21/arsenal-3-new-tactical-wrinkles-mikel-arteta-introduced/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 2. Tucking both full-backs in </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_102306" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-102306" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/21/arsenal-3-new-tactical-wrinkles-mikel-arteta-introduced/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1221137071-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">(Photo by RICHARD HEATHCOTE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>2. Tucking both full-backs in</h4> <p>One of the reasons for Arsenal’s added defensive balance, especially when in possession, is the more restrained roles of both full-backs. This is where Arteta differs from Pep Guardiola and from the approach he took before play was suspended.</p> <div class="recent-posts "> <h4>More from <b>Pain in the Arsenal</b></h4> <ul> <li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/21/arsenal-3-new-tactical-wrinkles-mikel-arteta-introduced/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/arsenal-interest-miguel-gutierrez-girona/"> Fabrizio Romano confirms Arsenal interest in Girona star </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/21/arsenal-3-new-tactical-wrinkles-mikel-arteta-introduced/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/when-will-martin-odegaard-return-from-his-injury/"> When will Martin Odegaard return from his injury? </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/21/arsenal-3-new-tactical-wrinkles-mikel-arteta-introduced/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/2-midfielders-arsenal-could-sign-in-january-transfer-window/"> 2 midfielders Arsenal could sign in January transfer window </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/21/arsenal-3-new-tactical-wrinkles-mikel-arteta-introduced/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/thomas-partey-unlikely-to-play-for-arsenal-again-in-2023/"> Thomas Partey unlikely to play for Arsenal again in 2023 </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/21/arsenal-3-new-tactical-wrinkles-mikel-arteta-introduced/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/predicted-arsenal-lineup-vs-burnley-saka-fit-to-start/"> Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Burnley: Saka fit to start? </a> </li></ul> </div> <p>Before, he tucked the right-back in and pushed the left-back into the final third to act almost as a left-winger. On this occasion, however, Arteta tucked both full-backs inside. He still featured the 2-3-5 formation in possession that was used before, but instead of a central midfielder (Xhaka) sliding deep and to the left side, the left-back (<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/21/arsenal-3-new-tactical-wrinkles-mikel-arteta-introduced/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=sead+kolasinac%22>Sead Kolasinac</a>) simply remained in deeper spaces instead of pushing forwards and the central midfielder (Bukayo Saka) moves into advanced positions.</p> <p>Whether this is something that remains throughout the season remains to be seen. It would be fair to assume that if Xhaka returns to the central midfield, he will not play the position in the same way that Saka did on Saturday. Nevertheless, Arteta is proving that he does not necessarily want his full-backs to fly forwards as is accustomed in modern football.</p> <p>Given the full-backs Arsenal currently have available, there is doubt regarding this approach. Kolasinac is at his best when he can bound up the flank. <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/21/arsenal-3-new-tactical-wrinkles-mikel-arteta-introduced/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=hector+bellerin%22>Hector Bellerin</a>, too, is a natural overlapped, while Kieran Tierney is a superb crosser. If they play the position too conservatively, you negate their best assets. It is not an issue just yet, but Arteta may amend their roles as the season progresses.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/21/arsenal-3-new-tactical-wrinkles-mikel-arteta-introduced/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 1. Using Bukayo Saka as a wide-left central midfielder </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_102305" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-102305" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/21/arsenal-3-new-tactical-wrinkles-mikel-arteta-introduced/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1250971254-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">BRIGHTON, ENGLAND – JUNE 20: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal shoots during the Premier League match between Brighton &amp; Hove Albion and Arsenal FC at American Express Community Stadium on June 20, 2020 in Brighton, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>1. Using Bukayo Saka as a wide-left central midfielder</h4> <p>The most prominent change from what Arteta has predominantly used as Arsenal head coach thus far was the left-sided central midfield role. Where Xhaka would drop deep and slide to the left side, acting as a pseudo-left-back, <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/21/arsenal-3-new-tactical-wrinkles-mikel-arteta-introduced/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=bukayo+saka%22>Bukayo Saka</a> played almost like a winger at times.</p> <p>When in possession, Arteta still wanted Arsenal to form a 2-3-5 shape. But he used different players to fill each position. On Saturday, this shape comprised of the two centre-backs, the left-back, one central midfielder, and the right-back sitting in front of them, and then the left-sided central midfielder, left-winger, centre-forward, right-sided central midfielder and right-winger forming the front five from left to right.</p> <p>This meant Saka regularly slid to the left side. He flourished in these spaces. Both his shot that smashed the crossbar and Alexandre Lacazette’s stooped header stemmed from moves that came from Saka drifting to the left flank, while Arsenal frequently looked to progress play down the left flank, with Saka and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang linking up especially well.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Arsenal Vs Brighton: 5 things we learned" data-url="https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/20/arsenal-vs-brighton-5-things-learned-kidding/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/21/arsenal-3-new-tactical-wrinkles-mikel-arteta-introduced/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/06/20/arsenal-vs-brighton-5-things-learned-kidding/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Arsenal Vs Brighton: 5 things we learned </a> </div> </div> <p>Saka is a natural winger so amending his central midfield role in this way makes sense. It puts him in positions of the pitch and moments in the match that he relishes. And so it proved as he produced a Man of the Match display.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">