by What do Fulham, Porto, Bayern Munich and Aston Villa have in common? The last four teams to avoid defeat against Arsenal in Premier League or Champions League games have all thrived with a shared tactical approach: an attacking ‘middle block’ out of possession.
This defensive strategy is the football equivalent of the half-court press, allowing opponents a comfortable possession in their own half before applying pressure when they advance past the half-way line. Unlike a deep defense (park the bus, block low, take your pick…) the back four push up the field and keep tight distances to their midfielders, offering space behind them.
Most teams have stopped pushing Arsenal high, knowing that the quality of their developing play can open them up. Mikel Arteta added David Raya and Kai Havertz to his squad last summer, which helps Arsenal bypass the high pressure. Raya is in central positions like a defender to get the ball to his feet and offer a numerical advantage, while Havertz provides a more direct escape route.
When opponents defend deep against Arsenal, or are forced deep, they are dominated and face waves of attacks. More often than not, Arteta’s team find a way through, by playing quick combinations around the edges of the penalty area or by accumulating set pieces.
However, Arsenal faced more problems when faced with a mediocre approach. It should be noted that these struggles are relative, and Aston Villa were hardly flush in the first half of their win at the Emirates on Saturday. But the similarities between their defensive setup and that deployed by Fulham, Porto and Bayern were striking.
In Porto’s 1-0 win over Arsenal in the Champions League last 16, Sergio Conceicao stymied Arsenal by defending mainly in a 4-3-3 central block without the ball, although shapes are always fluid during a game. As the image below shows, Arsenal’s defenders were given time on the ball, unable to entice Porto’s players to commit themselves and open up space. There was little space between the lines for Havertz and Martin Odegaard, and Porto were happy to risk holding a high line.
It was a similar story against Bayern Munich in the first leg of the quarter final last week, although Thomas Tuchel’s side used more of a 4-4-2 shape against the ball. In the image below, Serge Gnabry and left back Alphonso Davies have temporarily swapped positions, following their respective men Ben White and Bukayo Saka. Again, the Arsenal defender has time on the ball but the Bayern defense is pressed up despite the lack of pace of Eric Dier and Matthijs de Ligt.
Villa’s approach was almost the same, with no space between their back four and midfield in a 4-4-2 formation. Villa’s high line has been one of the tactical themes of the season, creating more disadvantages than any team in the Premier League. Arsenal outplayed him in the first 45 minutes, particularly from Odegaard through the ball to Saka and a late run from Havertz, but failed to capitalize.
Returning to Arsenal’s previous Premier League win at Fulham on New Year’s Eve, we see Marco Silva’s side doing the same. It’s a solid 4-4-2 out of possession, with Arsenal allowing possession amongst their defenders but Fulham’s back four refusing to be beaten back into submission.
A potential weakness in this approach is the green grass offered behind the defence, and Arsenal may have failed to take advantage of this space due to a lack of pace amongst their attacking options. Apart from Gabriel Martinelli, who is still chasing form and fitness after a foot injury, Arsenal are not full of attackers who stretch defenses with off-the-ball runs. Havertz does, but Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard don’t. Saka plays behind his goal, but is often helping Arsenal get the ball forward.
Another way to break the central block is through midfielders who are comfortable receiving, and carrying, the ball in tight spaces, punctuating the opposition’s formation. In this department, Arsenal rely heavily on Odegaard. Taking the ball in confined spaces, on the half-turn or with the back of the goal, is not Declan Rice’s main strength. Rice usually drops outside the opposition’s shape to get on the ball. Havertz is also not the most nimble technician. Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira fit the mold, but it’s questionable whether they do so to a title-challenging standard.
Arsenal have the chance to change the mood in their Champions League quarter-final at Bayern Munich on Wednesday, but Tuchel has a blueprint for how to make life difficult for Arteta’s side.
