Arsenal’s destiny was still in their hands before kickoff in the two horse race to get back into the Champions League, but their hosts were in no mood to underwhelm an expectant crowd. The Magpies honed the role of jokers to spoil an ideal script: will the process be all for nothing? Tactical analysis and […]
The North London Derby only produces chaotic or confounding games, and this tie somehow achieved both outcomes in one stroke. A red card against Arsenal’s Rob Holding meant that Arsenal played with a numerical disadvantage for an hour, and Harry Kane took full advantage by scoring a brace and creating another for strike partner Heung-Min […]
In a fixture where both outfits had it all to gain, the class of the favorites set them apart. Mikel Arteta moved the pieces on the chessboard to allow the left edge to flourish, setting the tone for a showing where Arsenal ought to have mowed down their guests long before the final whistle. Tactical […]
Arsenal exploited West Ham’s uncharacteristic vulnerability from set pieces to record another impressive win on the road. The result enhances their increasingly credible push for the fourth spot, whilst West Ham’s season is at risk of fading away after recent domestic and continental shortcomings. Tactical analysis and match report by Charles Orchard. Imagine ten years […]
Behold the Premier League’s greatest rivalry. Football is nothing like it was twenty years ago and neither are these two teams. But chaotic defending, errors and refereeing decisions always offer fun. Though not on top form, Arsenal was still superior to their opponents in turmoil. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. Ambitions between one […]
In a match that could have seismic implications for North London’s top-four battle, Brighton scored two stunning team goals and negated Arsenal’s usual passing precision to record their first win in eight games. The result represents a damaging defeat to Mikel Arteta’s men and hands the initiative over to arch-rivals Tottenham. Tactical analysis and match […]
Eager to rebuff Spurs’ quest for fourth place, Arsenal needed a win. But if Patrick Vieira ought to have been in a giving mood to bestow his old club a favor, he had not read the script. Potency in transition, pressing, and possession stunted the guests, whose season will go down to the wire. Tactical […]
Aston Villa attempted to pose a challenge to Arsenal with their narrow defensive scheme, but Arsenal proved very effective in progressing over the wings. This, along with their strong high pressing game, helped Mikel Arteta’s side to dominate the first half and take the lead. The home side were more aggressive in the second half […]
Rolling back the years in their fight to finish in the top four, amid their latest growth spurt, Arsenal relished the visit of Liverpool as a stern trial of their credentials. The visitors were slow to find their rhythm before half time, but tinkering from the dugout was too much to handle. Tactical analysis and […]
Trips to Anfield tend to signal destruction for Arsenal, but they turned the tables to control the dark art and define the course of the duel. A reckless blunder forced them to concede the high ground, but a better vantage point offered little use for a Liverpool side bereft of its usual verve. Tactical analysis […]