EPL – Tactical Analysis – Arsenal 1 Tottenham Hotspur 1

EPL – Tactical Analysis – Arsenal 1 Tottenham Hotspur 1

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A Kieran Gibbs equaliser 13 minutes from time ensured Arsenal claimed a share of the spoils in a tight and tense encounter against arch rivals Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. 

After dominating for long periods throughout the first-half, Spurs took a deserved lead when Harry Kane beat the offside trap to clinically slot the ball past the on coming Petr Cech. The home side could only muster up a single shot on target during the opening 45 minutes, mainly due to the relentless energy and work rate shown by the visitors in midfield.

After a slow start, the Gunners finally clicked into gear after the break and created enough chances to win the match, with Olivier Giroud squandering numerous guilt edge opportunities. However, from a unlikely source, substitute Gibbs was able to ghost in behind Kyle Walker and prod the ball home from close range after being found by another inch perfect pass from Mesut Ozil.

A point each was a fair result on the day with Arsenal remaining in second place on goal difference behind Manchester City, while Tottenham climb to fifth sitting four points outside the top four.

Formations

Arsenal lined up in their customary 4-2-3-1 system with Arsene Wenger making the solitary change from the mid week match against Bayern Munich with Laurent Koscielny returning to the starting lineup in place of Gabriel Paulista. Mathieu Debuchy and Joel Campbell retained their places on the Gunners right hand side.

Like their North London neighbours, Mauricio Pochettino also set his team up in a 4-2-3-1 formation whilst making three changes from the team that defeated Anderlecht on Thursday night with Kyle Walker, Danny Rose and Mousa Dembele replacing Kieran Tripper, Ben Davies and Ryan Mason.

After being deployed in a more advanced role against the Belgium outfit, youngster Delle Alli was reverted back to his preferred deep lying midfield role along side Eric Dier, while Dembele was pushed further forward with Christian Eriksen continuing on the left hand side.

ARSTOT

Spurs stifle Arsenal in midfield. 

Tottenham’s organisation and defensive shape is another indicator that they are a much improved team, and this was evident on Sunday as they continually harassed and out numbered Arsenal in the centre of midfield. Dier and Alli screened the back four with aplomb, while Eriksen, Dembele and Eric Lamela dropped deeper and tucked infield to swarm the likes of Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin, denying them time and space on the ball and restricting their passing options due to Spurs out numbering the home side in midfield.

Lamela and Dembele especially put in huge shifts, covering an enormous amount of ground whilst also willing to roll their sleeves up and fulfil their defensive duties. In total Spurs ran a collective total of 7km more then Arsenal. Lamela, who is often maligned amongst Spurs fans worked his socks off, attempting 12 tackles with half of those being successful, sacrificing his usually attack minded game. Dembele also worked manfully for the Spurs cause and had a superb game overall, attempting seven tackles and winning four of them, completing five successful take ons, while also completing 88% of his passes, the highest percentage in the Tottenham side.

Cazorla has become the heart beat of Arsenal’s midfield, averaging 78,1 passes per game with 91% of them finding its intended target in the Premier League this season. On Sunday, however, he completed just a lowly 24 passes and with his influence totally nullified and Ozil having to drop deeper to get on the ball, Spurs were able to get a major foot hold in the game. The Spaniard who was suffering from dizziness was substituted at half time, replaced by Mathieu Flamini.

Dembele and Lamela left footprints on every area of the pitch
Dembele and Lamela left footprints on every area of the pitch

Arsene Wenger’s substitution and tactical tweak proved decisive 

With Alex Iwobi the only attacking player on the substitute bench to call upon, Wenger had to gamble with the side trailing and the decision to introduce full back Kieran Gibbs and play him in a more advanced role reaped instant rewards, replacing the largely ineffective Campbell, who’s lack of experience saw him struggle to pose any sort of offensive threat.

With Gibbs now positioned on the left, Alexis Sanchez moved in behind Olivier Giroud with Ozil shifting to the right, the decision reaped instant rewards, as Ozil and Gibbs combined for Arsenal’s equalising goal. The German was on hand to float in a inviting cross where Gibbs was able to elude his marker to squeeze the ball home. Without Wenger’s inspired substitution and tactical alteration, you had to wonder whether they would find a way to unlock Spurs defence.

This was Ozil’s tenth assist for the season in just his 11 match, and in the process set a new Premier League record as the first player to register an assist in six consecutive games in England’s top flight. The play maker also created another seven goal scoring chances and covered more ground the any of his fellow team-mates, as he continues to lead from the front with both his performances and his tireless work rate.

Jaded Arsenal dig deep

An injury depleted Arsenal side looked lethargic and leggy throughout, in complete contrast to a dynamic Tottenham side who looked lively for a large portion of the match. Both team’s were playing their third game of a what was a gruelling week, and with so many players unavailable, the inability to rotate meant Wenger had his hands tied, sending out virtually the same team as the previous two games against Swansea and Bayern.

Pochettino rotated his full backs and one midfield position for the game against Anderlecht but the spine of the team has remained in tact with Vertonghan, Alderweireld, Dier, Alli, Dembele, Eriksen, Lamela and Kane starting in all three of Spurs games this week. There looked to be only one winner at half time as Arsenal already looked out on their feet while Spurs in contrast were getting through a power of work and looked full of running.

As the second-half progressed, the Gunners started to find their groove, as the visitors began to tire. Proof of this is Spurs drastic drop in possession, after having 58.6% of the ball in the final five minutes of the first half, they only had 31.4% in the final 15 minutes of the match, as the equalising goal gave Arsenal in the impetus to push on and find a winner. For Spurs their punishing schedule finally took its toll in the end but they were good enough to hold out and claimed a richly deserved point on enemy territory.

The passing in the last 15 minutes reveals how Arsenal found their equaliser
The passing in the last 15 minutes reveals how Arsenal found their equaliser

Conclusion

Post game Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker described the team as ‘knackered’, especially during the first half. The international break couldn’t have come at a better time for Wenger’s side, as he hopes and prays his players come back in one piece, while also regaining a few injured troops, with Aaron Ramsey, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott and Hector Bellerin expected to return for their next match against West Bromwich Albion in a fortnight.

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Overall it was another encouraging performance from Tottenham which see’s the club now extend its unbeaten run to eleven games. Pochettino’s vision is now coming to fruition, and now look like a genuine top four contender. They have struck a much better balance between defence and attack and that is down to Pochettino’s tactical nous and attention to defensive detail. Spurs certainly look on the right track at this early stage of the season.

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