Football Made Simple: Amorim And Arteta Have Some New Tactics This Season

Mikel Arteta adjusted Arsenal's pressing structure mid-first half to counter Manchester United's dynamic attacking play. Initially, Arsenal used a 4-2-2-2 press with wingers Martinelli and Saka pressing wide center backs to force play centrally.

United sought to move Casemiro into midfield from deep to exploit Arsenal's pressing shape. This tactic aimed to create numerical superiority in midfield, allowing Bruno Fernandes to push higher and offer better passing angles, increasing United's central presence.

Arteta's pressing personnel changed, not the shape. When Martinelli's pressing angles faltered, United could receive outside the press, forcing Arsenal's fullbacks to cover wide and risking center backs being drawn out, which Arteta wanted to avoid.

Arsenal adapted by repositioning Yacouba Sylla to Martinelli's spot and pushing Rice higher, allowing Martinelli to stay wider. This maintained defensive solidity while addressing pressing weaknesses, ensuring wide coverage without compromising central midfield control.

United's defenders played more aggressively in possession than last season, with wing-backs pushing high and center-backs forming a back two. This created overloads like 3v2 or 4v3 on the flanks, enabling dangerous combination plays and increased attacking options.

United's pressing shape contrasted Arsenal's: Arsenal forced United through the center, while United aimed to push Arsenal wide to exploit aggressive fullback pressing. United limited Arsenal's central play to 27%, using a compact 5-2-3 mid-block and tactical drops from Zubimendi.

This match was a tactical showcase with both managers experimenting. Despite United's loss, Erik ten Hag's adjustments impressed. For those interested in tactical analysis, resources like Tactics 12 offer free education on football strategy fundamentals.