Suffocation revelation
An Arsenal blog from a coach’s perspective
The result against Sevilla mattered. How much did the performance matter though? Not a huge amount beyond creating confidence and better habits.
Part of me wants to say that this performance was the best of the season and the other part wants to say, ‘no way.’ So, I’m going to say both.
I think we might be clouded in our understanding of Sevilla as a team by the fact that they have a horrific recent record at the Emirates. This is a mid table PL level team who seem to play like a Top 4 PL team in Europe. I’m not making them out to be brilliant, but they are very much troublesome. I have to be fair and mention that for some odd reason they didn’t play their best team.
I think the cool cats call it a ‘hot take.’ I’m not cool, but I’ll give it a go. Here is my hot take. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better off ball performance from Arsenal. One team had just been taught what the word, ‘press’ means and the other put on a clinic. Sevilla are getting ridiculed for coming within 10 seconds of playing a Champions League match without ever shooting. We aren’t talking about Sutton United here. This is a good team that was completely strangled. Suffocated by a faultless press and off ball focus.
And that’s the other word, focus. Max asked me why Sevilla only had 38 passes midway through the first half. It had dawned on me a few minutes before how focused we were off the ball. I felt like I went up a few notches in my son’s mind after I explained this. All the parents out there understand that you could have just won the equivalent of an Oscar at your workplace and your kids would still think you’re an idiot.
I remember playing a game with my Olympic Development team where I stopped the game far too frequently and asked a player who was nowhere near the ball, ‘what are you supposed to be doing?’ They would say, ‘running’ or ‘over there’ or some similar random answer but never came close to realizing that regardless of how far you are from the action, you should ALWAYS be doing something. Firstly, you should be in position which is entirely based on what could be about to happen. If you are the defending team then you base that on worse case scenario. If your team has the ball then for the majority of you, it is about the best case scenario. The elite game is played at a level where even if your hips are a little twisted or you are one step from the correct location, that you are going to miss the opportunity. They say that the elite coaches are the ones that are physically moving players in training one step this way or that. The fine details are clearly winning games or they wouldn’t bother being so psycho about it. A classic example would be Ben White’s positioning. When the ball is with Martinelli, if he is inside his own half daydreaming then when it’s switched to Saka he will be too far away to overlap. Trossard’s goal wouldn’t have happened if he was daydreaming when Jorginho passed to Saka.
Credit: Arsenal.com
Arsenal couldn’t produce the press without such elite focus. Zero daydreaming. Anyone who has ever played football will know how lovely it is to take a physical nap and especially a mental one. Spend a few seconds or minutes just watching from your proverbial recliner on the field. Because we were so focused and our coach has taught them where to stand in every situation then they were positionally ready to take advantage.
An absolute viral masterpiece of an off ball compilation.
Because we were so very good off the ball we had limitless possession and opportunity. Like you, I watched Gabi tear that poor right back to shreds. We saw Saka trying to do the same before having yet another chunk chipped out of his legs.
Sometimes it’s when you are so dominant that you see your weakness with such clarity.
I felt sorry for both of our wingers. Gabi would never blame others, Saka either, but there was such an obvious lack inside the box. It was even more obvious because all three of the others who were in the attacking areas, Trossard, Rice and Havertz, were all having good games yet none of them were threatening the goal or even looked like they would. That’s the point really. If we are going to have such brilliant wingers. Two of the very best in world football. Maybe even the best pair at one club in world football, then surely we need a striker with hunger and elite movement. In Jesus we have one outside the box. In Trossard we have another who looked like a pressing pinball against Sevilla. In Eddie and Kai we have a little of everything but neither can be trusted yet. You can’t give an 8/10 then a 4/10 and keep flip flopping. I have a solution but i’m unsure that it is smart to switch when the current formation is on auto pilot. Anyway, take a look.
This is a first choice 11. Let me explain. Why move Saka and Odegaard? Well, firstly, most of the front five rotate anyway. Odegaard less than the others though. This change is based on being smart before the event. Saka may seem bulletproof but a time will come. Modern wingers are receiving the ball with their back to goal and getting whacked, repeatedly. Saka more than most. I suggest that he move inside before he gets something broken. Defenders will be far less likely to foul him on the inside as that is dangerous free kick territory and the penalty area. The other reason is that we could really do with a player that can penetrate on the dribble from midfield. Moving Odegaard is an experiment. It won’t take much adjusting as it’s the same job but on the other side, but it’s different connections with different players. Jesus needs to be persuaded to go back on the wing. Not every game, but sometimes. He is too good to not play and if we bring in a striker, you want to find a position for him. I maintain (as I said at the beginning of the season), that Jesus would be best at left eight, but that leaves Odegaard out. Picking a team is such a puzzle. The addition at striker would need to happen otherwise Jesus at striker needs to stay. My mind keeps going back to RVP. A player with both hunger and elite movement. A player that would refuse to accept that Martinelli beat his man 9 times and that he didn’t score a hat trick. I wanted Hojlund before Utd wasted his time. Wrong player in the wrong team at the wrong time. Vlahovic has both of these qualities and there are more, but that’s another day.
This 4-2-3-1 allows Jesus to play in an area that he is expert in and bring in ‘hunger and movement.’ It gives Saka freedom which could bring him to a whole new level that we haven’t dreamed of. Odegaard as a midfielder works against teams where Rice +1 is good enough vs Rice plus Partey in more physical encounters. Zinchenko would be a great option here too.
I wonder if Mikel is thinking of a change?
POSITIVES:
+ Both goals were not our best this season but I’d say they were our most important. Not because of opponent but because we needed to have another revelation. A revelation that there are easier ways to score. When you watched Trossard’s goal did you have a moment where you thought, ‘well that looked straight forward!’ I did. I’m really hoping that it was a planned training ground pattern. That Arteta has identified that we aren’t being direct enough. Not using the space behind the defenders. The way he celebrated, I think it was planned. If I was to guess, I’d say that the new instruction is to get the first bunch of passes all to Saka’s feet to give them the sense that all of them will go to feet, therefore moving the left back enough to create a gap. The pass was a revelation too because we don’t get that normally without Partey.
The second goal wasn’t as straight forward but still exploited the space behind.
I can only hope that Saka feels encouraged to keep making that run.
+ Trossard looked like he’d been lining up at Asda with the teenagers to get his case of Prime. Such intent in his performance. He must know that the striker position is up for grabs. He played like he wanted it. His ability to rotate as well as combine with BS and GM is something that Eddie can’t and won’t do for some reason. His equal ability with both feet should be a necessity for a striker but isn’t. We certainly have a varied collection of striker options. Just don’t think that we have the one that best compliments our other attackers and especially their ability to cross with accuracy.
Credit: Arsenal.com
+ I’m not sure it matters whether Rice plays DM or 8 as far as his defensive output is concerned. As Clive says, he’s a hoover. He certainly isn’t a natural attacker but because he’s bloody good at the football, he’s still very good at it. I would like to see him drive all the way into the box after one of those runs or take a shot himself.
+ I think we are lucky to have Jorginho. We have too many squad options that swing wildly from being very good to poor and he doesn’t. He is likely playing a lot recently as Arteta wants him to organize on the field as this is certainly a strength. Very few clubs have a player who has played at the very top, is still capable and seems ok with being a bit part player.
+ Did I see Zinchenko in midfield? Actual midfield, not inverted. I’d really like to see him tried as the left eight. It not only takes away the opponents tendency to target our left back but it puts his creativity closer to goal. He has a shot on him too. Keeps getting blocked so it’s not yet been noticed.
+ I’d only be worried about the Havertz conundrum if he started every game regardless. He hasn’t and so it’s becoming clear that Arteta is keeping him accountable for his performance. The discussion seems to now be about what he’s good at. My eyes tell me that he is best at right eight. His best days were certainly at Bayer Leverkusen and that was where he performed best. When you watch his clips you see that he is a true Swiss Army knife of a player. Good at many things. Good on the dribble, at creating, in the air, shooting, winning duels and most certainly showing up in the big games. I hope we get to see his best at Arsenal because he is certainly one that hasn’t shown us even 50% of his talent. If it doesn’t work out then here is an ole fashioned part swap deal that would make sense…. Havertz back to Bayer Leverkusen (many players do this when they are struggling to find their best form) and get Florian Wirtz to play left eight.
+ I do love Vieira’s ability to lift the ball over the top of the defence. He should’ve had 3 assists recently. All the best teams play this scooped ball to great effect.
NEEDS:
+ Oh, I wish Reiss Nelson would play with more personality. Not a comment so much about this game but he seems ok to coast and he has similar ability as players like Xavi Simons who are setting the carpet on fire weekly. If Reiss doesn’t grab his opportunities soon then Xavi Simons will be actually setting The Carpet on fire.
+ I sure hope that Saka was told to go down and hobble off by Arteta so he can withdraw from England. Probably not though. Sevilla like all the others see his calves as a rage room object.
Credit: Arsenal.com
HOPES:
+ So, we saw a little chitter chatter about Mbappe liking Arsenal. It seems too soon to believe that this type of rumour could be true because two years ago he would’ve gone to Sevilla quicker than Arsenal. Then Max (the new GeoffArsenal) told me that Florian Wirtz is interesting us.
All this made me think that Arsenal are now in a position where they can truly attract any player in World Football. I’d go after Musiala. Mbappe, I would be torn on. Free but astronomical wages and arguably the best player in the world. The issue though is ego. We don’t have this. This is considered the biggest of no-no’s at Arsenal as that is what we cleaned out.
Soon to be out of contract and a pressing and dribbling wizzkid whose stock is rising quickly. Either way, it’s quite lovely that we are in this position and that Arsenal have their early 2000’s respect back.
+ The injury news likely spells the end of Thomas Partey at Arsenal. I think he’s one of the best players I’ve seen at the Emirates but if he can only play half a season then he either needs to not be relied on as first choice or moved on because relying on him is relying on him and Jorginho or other as he’s never going to play more it seems. If you are ok with that then keep him. The issue we have is that bar Rice we don’t have another big athlete for the times when we need one. Such a shame.
FINAL THOUGHT:
It’s just nice to think that Arsenal have at least 6 of the best players in Europe in our team. Saka, Saliba, Odegaard and Rice.
I’ve rustled together a list of the top 40 in Europe just so we can see that our players belong. No particular order.
Kylian Mbappe
Bukayo Saka
Jamal Musiala
Rodri
Alisson
Mo Salah
Vinicius Jr
Jude Belingham
William Saliba
Erling Haaland
Heung Min Son
Martin Odegaard
Harry Kane
Victor Oshimen
Raphael Leao
Bernardo Silva
Declan Rice
Ruben Dias
Kevin De Bruyne
Antoine Griezmann
Ronald Araujo
Kaoru Mitoma
Kyle Walker
Alexis MacAllister
Phil Foden
Eduardo Camivinga
Frenkie DeJong
Robeet Lewandowski
Martin Zubimendi
Warren Zaire Emery
Kvicha Kvaratskhhelia
Gabriel Martinelli
Florian Wirtz
Leroy Sane
Xavi Simons
Achraf Hakimi
Thomas Partey
Gavi
Jan Oblak
Pedri
John Stones
When you see that list you see that our players are worthy. Honestly, there are others that could be in here.
Cheers for reading!
Former Highbury regular. Moved to TN, USA in ’99. Married with 3 kids. Coached in UK and US for 27 years.
Mike McDonald Soccer Academy in Morristown TN, Olympic Development coach, Regional Premier League Champion.
Always interesting and thought provoking. Wholsheartedly agree on bringing Bukayo inside!!
Great post. Love how you’re talking about the tiny details that don’t get mentioned enough elsewhere. You did go a little overboard with that top40 list at the end imho 🙂 Anyway – good read, thx mate.
Excellent post, yes the Saka theory is certainly one that’s gotta come as he has too much talent to be left on the wing, maybe Bakayo is the left 8 in waiting?
Great point regarding how the team just strangled the life out of Sevilla, Mikel seems to be very much in touch with his inner George Graham, that is when it comes to europe you defend and negate as if your life depends on it because one lapse and you concede eg Lens (a).
Xavi Simons is a big thumbs up from me, I’m not so up to speed with Wirtz, is he a striker, an attacking midfielder?
I need to consult an expert, ask Max?
Onwards and Upwards.
Hello Mikey,
It was a very controlled performance and it put us on the brink of qualification to the next stage.
Bayern, City & Real Madrid have performed well in the group stage and are the frontrunners for the competition.
Partey’s fitness unfortunately has to be resolved in the winter and getting his replacement is more important for the team rather than another attacker. Between Kai, Leo & Eddie, we can manage to share the striker’s role.
Please what’s your opinion about Zubimendi to replace Partey?
Mike, thanks for your thoughtful article. I like it when you discuss the many possible combination of Arsenal positioning.
Personally, I thought this year is going to be a year where we are focusing to acclimatize our player into a twice-a-week full of intense match (two important front: CL and PL). Especially when Rice and Havertz come, all the puzzle should have been completed.
However, I can only feel secure for our frontline and defender. Our backline has seven reliable players for four position: Saliba, Magalhaes, White, Zinny, Tomi, Kiwior, Timber. Frontline has four reliable players for three position: Saka, Jesus, Martinelli, and Eddie. Any permutation of those gentlemen at any position for any match should be OK.
Yet the same cannot be mentioned to our midfielder. So far, it is only Odegaard and Rice who looks reliable in our midfield; two players for three available position. Havertz is not convincing, Jorgi is a squad player, Elneny is a squad player and going to leave maybe, Vieira, ESR, not securing that one spot due to fitness issue or reliability issue, Partey either want to leave or undergoing surgery.
I really hope Vieira and Havertz truly fight for that one spot. I am not buying issues as confident, adaptation, tactical, etc. Football is a physical game before tactical awareness. Being more intense, more demanding, putting more pressing, more acurate passing, more aware, doing more than your teammate and opponent can solve half or not all the problem in the field. At least, we, fans, will appreciate it.
For that reason I have a huge respect for Eddie. In less than 2 years, he has proven himself physically, tactically, intensity-wise, awareness-wise, attitude-wise, a PL level striker. Whether he is at elite level or not, it is a different question. But he is our Hale end graduates, he shows us he is more than capable to share responsibility with Jesus, no doubt. So, where are you now Vieira, Reiss, ESR? What prevent you all to catch Eddie? (I am not even mentioning Saka).
We should be at a phase where we look for a player to upgrade our level. Not a filler, not a stopgap. If the midfield spot still left hanging without a reliable filler, I am afraid we will need to look from the market again. And that “hunger and movement” player will have to wait..
COYG.