Having taken the lead after seven minutes, Leicester City seemed more than happy to sit in their 4-4-2 shape and keep a hapless Arsenal at bay. Unfortunately for them, Arsenal found their routes through the right and the work of Nicolas Pépé was influential in the goals that they scored. Tactical analysis and match report […]
Manchester City’s flawless record in 2021 offered Arsenal little hope of finding a result against the best team in the land. City delivered, as their typically fluid 4-3-3 shape shone through, blitzing the home team early on. Mikel Arteta’s men fought back with their own intriguing structures and similar principles, but City looked in first […]
Prince no longer has a record dedicated to the year that Everton had last won at Anfield. After identifying Liverpool’s aerial weaknesses and deploying a rotational yet solid backline, Everton executed an effective game plan which got them the lead early and killed the game late on. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. The […]
Chelsea dominated the ball and had some moderate success playing against Southampton’s high pressing and forcing them deeper later in the half. However, Chelsea had problems creating shots and were punished for this when Takumi Minamino put Southampton ahead. Chelsea equalized through Mount early in the second half but were unable to break down the […]
Leeds came to the Emirates Stadium with their characteristic man-marking approach. However with some smart play from the forwards, Arsenal were able to overcome Leeds’ defensive scheme to take the lead early on, and extend it to 4-0 just after half-time. Leeds threatened a comeback in the second half with two goals, but Arsenal were […]
Liverpool set out like a side with a point to prove. A mix of intensity and guile put the visitors in a firm position of control, cutting through the hosts’ 4-4-2 setup. But on taking a deserved lead, a familiar narrative emerged to turn the game on its head in a frantic seven minute spell. […]
Protracted and substandard. This wasn’t your usual Guardiola and Mourinho matchup, yet the alarming ease in which Manchester City brushed past Tottenham Hotspur made this a big talking point in each other’s seasons. City were able to play on autopilot, with rehearsed movements getting them past the block, whilst Spurs looked clueless and deprived of […]
Nine goals in this back-and-forth FA Cup thriller!
City started very strongly in the match with a good use of width with the ball and solid counterpressing against Liverpool’s transitions. Eventually Liverpool started to take more of the ball and City were content to control the spaces behind their defense. Guardiola’s pressing tweak at half-time preceded City taking the lead through İlkay Gündoğan. […]
Though Arsenal had decent spells, Aston Villa’s organized defensive shape and work in transitioning proved too much for Mikel Arteta’s team. Arsenal had their most controlling periods towards the end of the game, thanks to their changes, but reverted back to old systemic problems in desperation for points. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. […]