quote:
This match was the most tactically active I've seen Wenger this season. Changing to a midfield three was the correct move, and the moments when we pressed and when we stayed in the low block were appropriate. What I hope this shows is ultimate commitment to the low block and an attempt to play more counter-attacking, which suits the styles of basically everyone on this team. The high-energy, high-press, requires organizational ability that we don't have. Even when we pressed, it was inconsistent. When we press, there are times during games where the pressing player looks behind him hoping a partner is with him. Given that, the intention appears to be a press, but there is little communication about it. I'm not even sure we false press all that well.

If we are going to be successful, we're going to have to press, to invite teams to create chances, so as to open up space behind them.

I really loved what we did tactically. Going forward, the tilted diamond, almost box midfield with Cazorla and Coq deep and Ramsey and Ozil ahead of them, Alexis and Theo on the back line, really seemed to give United fits.

I especially like what we're doing with Cazorla and Coq. Santi sits deep as the connector, with Coquelin moving laterally in front of him either as a decoy to open up passing lanes, or as a midway point between Santi and the attack. Coq did wonderfully on the first goal to take it from Per under pressure and play it into Bellerin to initiate the transition forward. He's been just superb, adding subtle offensive contributions to his defensive dynamism.

There seems to be a chemistry developing. City are the favorites, no doubt, but I think we're a cut above United and the rest of the top four contenders. I'm also well aware we can slip at any moment and pull an Olympiakos. And Per is maybe our fourth best CB at the moment.

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Posted by crazy4lsu

Member since May 2005

36311 posts

Posted on 10/6/15 at 4:12 pm to Stewie Griffin

quote:
If we are going to be successful, we're going to have to press, to invite teams to create chances, so as to open up space behind them.

We have to employ both strategies. The problem is that we are inconsistent in the high press. Hell it's been rare when we've been consistent in it. I think the only time we were really superb at it was the first 15 minutes of the Everton game in March of 2012, when Ramsey scuffed a brilliant chance in off a Van Persie header, which Van Persie apparently eviscerated him for in the locker room. It had the vaunted TV5-LK6 CB pairing, and we were absolutely amazing the first 15 mins.

The way I see it is that we have to invite teams into the low block and over run them, but position Theo and Alexis high and wide so that the break is always there. The passage where I think it was Coquelin won the ball and Ozil recovered and passed it to Ramsey, who played it by Young who took the yellow rather than let play continue, was the perfect strategy for the low block.

Basically what we need is consistent communication on when to press and when to retreat. If a player decides to press and has no one with him, then he's effectively out of the play for the entire possession. You have to press in pairs and trios, as groups rather than individuals. Individual closing down does nothing in the modern game.

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