FOOTBALL
Tactical Analysis: How Arsenal dismantled Man United
A few days ago, Arsenal held on to their 5 points league at the Premier League summit with a scintillating win over Manchester United at the Emirates.
It was a frantic game full of individual brilliance, but both teams stuck to the fundamental tactical philosophy of their managers.
Arteta’s structuring
There was no surprise in the Arsenal lineup.
Mikel Arteta reintroduced the 4-3-3, which would become a 442 during attacking transitions. Martin Ødegaard joined the frontline of Eddie Nketiah, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli.
Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey were joined by Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko in the midfield. The fullbacks would invert and provide more cover to the backline duo of Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba.
White and Zinchenko overlapped when the wingers occupied the half-spaces. As Saka and Martinelli took up more central positions, Zinchenko and White could burst into these wide pockets of spaces and provided attacking widths.
Ten Hag’s game plan
Erik ten Hag knew that the best chance his team had to take something away from the Emirates was to exploit the transitional phases.
Man United are the only team this season who have won against Arsenal this season. At Old Trafford, United exposed Arsenal’s high line with their blistering pace on the flanks and incisive through balls from the middle.
That seemed to be the most sensible way to go about this match from United’s perspective. They were coming away to a hostile away environment against a team who are statistically one of the best in Europe at the moment.
On top of that, they did not have Casemiro, who has been the best midfielder in the Red Devils squad this season, as he had to sit out to serve a one-match suspension.
United absorbed the wave of Arsenal attacks in the opening minutes of the game. Slowly they started to show their counter-attacking prowess as Aaron Wan Bissaka and Luke Shaw would threaten to break down the flanks. Antony and Marcus Rashford started to run at the Arsenal backline, with Bruno Fernandes pulling the strings from the back.
Marcus Rashford drew first blood as he won the ball in the midfield, escaped away from Partey and took a stunning goalbound shot from outside the box that ultimately got the better of Aaron Ramsdale. Rashford silenced the raucous home crowd to put the visitors ahead, but their lead would only last long.
Eddie NKetiah took advantage of Wan Bissaka’s positional unawareness as he jumped high to meet Granit Xhaka’s inviting cross in the right post and head it in for the equaliser.
Arsenal orchestrated several attacks after restoring the deadlock, but the scores were tied 1-1 at the interval.
The midfield battle
United had to field Scott McTominay at the centre of the park.
The Scotsman is not as good as Casemiro in reading the game and anticipating danger. So, Ten Hag instructed him to drop deep when necessary and rotate position with Christian Eriksen, who did most of the heavy lifting in the middle. He was patrolling the half spaces and was mostly drifting leftwards to stop Bukayo Saka from getting too much space.
When he did move left, Antony and Bruno Fernandes would drop and try to plug the holes that would pop up. This made it harder for Martinelli and Zinchenko to receive the ball in favourable positions around and inside the United box.
But, the next Arsenal goal would come from a moment of madness. Bukayo Saka astonishingly beat David de Gea from a distance to make it 2-1 before Lisandro Martínez pounced in a fantastic header to make it 2-2.
Arsenal would increase their efforts in search of a winner afterwards and was rewarded with a late NKetiah strike to make it 3-2.
FC Goa defeats Mohun Bagan! FC Goa secured a memorable 2-1 victory against Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the Indian Super League at Fatorda Stadium. This high-stakes encounter ended Mohun Bagan’s unbeaten streak, marking a significant moment in the league.
Brison Fernandes opened the scoring for FC Goa in the 13th minute, assisted by Borja Herrera. His shot deflected off Mohun Bagan’s Tom Aldred, giving Goa an early lead. Despite pressing attacks, Mohun Bagan failed to capitalize on opportunities during the first half, keeping FC Goa ahead.
The second half saw Mohun Bagan equalize through Dimitrios Petratos’ penalty, awarded after a handball by Armando. With the match level, momentum shifted briefly in favor of Mohun Bagan. However, FC Goa struck again in the 68th minute as Brison Fernandes headed in Herrera’s precise cross, sealing the lead and eventual victory for the home side. FC Goa defeats Mohun Bagan!
FC Goa’s defense stood firm during the closing stages, with Sandesh Jhingan and Odei Onaindia effectively countering Mohun Bagan’s attempts to find another equalizer. This win elevated FC Goa to third place in the league standings with 22 points from 12 matches, showcasing their strong form this season.
The match underscored FC Goa’s resilience and tactical discipline, while Mohun Bagan will aim to bounce back from this setback. Fans were treated to an exciting contest, reflecting the competitive spirit of the league.
FC Goa vs Mohun Bagan Super Giant! The Indian Super League (ISL) promises an intense showdown as FC Goa faces league leaders Mohun Bagan Super Giant this Friday at Fatorda. With playoff positions at stake, both teams are set for a thrilling encounter.
FC Goa aims to break into the top three with a win, continuing their unbeaten six-match streak. Striker Armando Sadiku leads the Goa attack with eight goals in ten matches, while midfielders Iker Guarrotxena and Dejan Drazic add creativity. Young goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari’s three clean sheets in five matches provide defensive assurance. FC Goa vs Mohun Bagan Super Giant!
Mohun Bagan, atop the league with 26 points, has relied on Jamie Maclaren’s scoring consistency and Greg Stewart’s midfield mastery. Although Stewart will miss the match due to injury, the Mariners boast six clean sheets this season, anchored by goalkeeper Vishal Kaith.
Both teams have impressive records, with Goa scoring 21 goals and Mohun Bagan conceding only 10 this season. The match could define playoff aspirations as Mohun Bagan aims to solidify their position, and Goa seeks to climb the rankings. Fans anticipate a tightly contested game between two strong sides showcasing Indian football’s growing quality.
The match is critical for both teams’ playoff aspirations. FC Goa looks to capitalize on their home advantage and attacking prowess, while Mohun Bagan seeks to extend their dominance at the top of the league. With FC Goa scoring 21 goals and Mohun Bagan conceding only 10 this season, the battle promises to be a showcase of quality football.
Fans are eagerly anticipating this high-stakes clash, which could significantly impact the league’s playoff picture. Both teams have shown resilience and skill, ensuring a thrilling contest.
The Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 features a highly anticipated clash between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and FC Goa at Fatorda’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Friday. Both teams come into this encounter in solid form, aiming to strengthen their campaigns at a crucial juncture in the season.
Mohun Bagan leads the standings with an unbeaten streak, registering seven wins and a draw in ISL 2024-25. Their defensive strength is evident, having kept six clean sheets. FC Goa, sitting fourth on the table, boasts a dynamic attacking style, with nine different players contributing goals this season.
This battle between Mohun Bagan’s resolute defense and Goa’s attacking versatility promises to be a high-stakes showdown. Goa seeks to overcome the league leaders and secure vital points to narrow the gap. Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan looks to extend its dominance and consolidate its position at the top.
Key players to watch include Mohun Bagan’s defensive stalwarts and Goa’s offensive playmakers. Both sides have demonstrated their capability to adapt to challenging situations, setting the stage for a thrilling contest. With the mid-season point approaching, the match carries significant implications for both teams’ playoff aspirations.
Fans can expect an intense, action-packed game as two of the ISL’s top teams vie for supremacy. Mohun Bagan’s strategic discipline will be tested against Goa’s creative and relentless attacks. This matchup is a must-watch for football enthusiasts, showcasing the best of Indian football talent.
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