Tag: Arsenal

The best role changes of 2022-23 in the Premier League

Featured by Rhys Desmond, posted in Central Midfield, Coach Education, Coaching, Defensive Midfield, Fullback, Masterclasses, Player Analysis, Premier League, Recruitment & Scouting, Striker

There is nothing that fascinates me more about tactical team construction than how managers change the job titles of certain players to achieve certain results. That may be to combat a strength of an opposition, to bring out a strength in their own team set-up, to bring the best out of a player at their disposal, or even simply to fill a hole. I created an entire series around this premise called 'Game of Numbers', analyzing the various roles that individual players take up to help their teams achieve success. With that, I highlight some of the best positional tweaks this campaign, detailing how managers were able to get the best out of each player.

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How Sean Dyche’s Everton beat Arsenal – Match Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Masterclasses, Match Analysis, Most Recent, Premier League

I've long been a defender of Sean Dyche's intensive and defensive, "long-ball" style. But there's perhaps no greater victory in his entire career than starting off at Everton with an absolute bang, beating the league leaders in Arsenal, who had previously only lost a single league game. Everton themselves had not won under Frank Lampard since October. But Sean Dyche would have relished the challenge of his first match, and would have taken all the pressure off his players to perform on the opening day. It showed in their performance, with the Toffees achieving a shock 1-0 win over the current title favourites. Here is how Sean Dyche's Everton beat Arsenal.

Why Antony can transform Manchester United – Match Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Match Analysis, Player Analysis, Premier League, Winger

The Brazilian winger played a formidable role in United's 3-1 win over Arsenal, and showcased promise that he could be the man to propel the club to that next level this season. Here is our analysis of United's 3-1 win over Arsenal, through the lens of new-signing Antony.

Game of Numbers – #1 – Lucas Paqueta & The Bernardo Silva Role

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Game of Numbers, German Bundesliga, Masterclasses, Match Analysis, Most Recent, Player Analysis, Premier League

In our latest analysis series: Game of Numbers, we break down the various tactical undertones of the modern game, most notably the roles that individual players hold on the pitch to help their teams explore avenues for greatness. Positions are often broken down into 'numbers' to describe the areas of the field that a player may operate. This series aims to illustrate the ever-changing, fluid nature of those roles, and the ways in which various footballing teams may use the same players in the same roles to completely different effect. This is Issue No. 1, featuring the following: Lucas Paquetá & The 'Bernardo Silva Role', Joachim Andersen's 'Quarterback' Role vs. Arsenal, and Musiala's Masterclass vs. Eintracht Frankfurt.

Why Oleksandr Zinchenko is perfect for Arsenal

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Central Midfield, Data Analysis, Fullback, Most Recent, Player Analysis, Premier League, Recruitment & Scouting, Wing-Back

Arsenal's transfer business this summer has been shrewd and accomplished, and now after signing both Zinchenko and Jesus from the Sky Blues, Arsenal could very well be on their way toward building back toward Premier League title acclaim. Here is our analysis of why Zinchenko is perfect for Arsenal, and why the signing may be the start of something special for the Gunners in 2022-23.

Why Gabriel Jesus is perfect for Arsenal

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Most Recent, Player Analysis, Premier League, Recruitment & Scouting, Striker, Winger

Gabriel Jesus arrives at Arsenal Football Club as the complete package, capable of fulfilling a number of different roles and tasks. Not only is the Brazilian a competent creator and scorer of great goals, he is also a highly active contributor both in and out of possession. Jesus catches the eye in not only 1v1 situations where he can use his pace and power to explode away from defenders, but in stellar perceptions of space to find pockets to receive and work his way around defensive blocks.

Premier League Transfer Tax (Part 1)

by Rhys Desmond, posted in German Bundesliga, Masterclasses, Premier League, Serie A

It's easy to use the eye test and conclude that players like Jadon Sancho and Timo Werner haven't lived up to the hype. In a recent video, Tifo Football suggested that this phenomenon doesn't just apply to Bundesliga clubs, but a range of leagues around the world. So with that, we aim to use data from the 2021-22 season to determine whether or not 'Bundesliga Tax' is a real phenomenon, and what leagues Premier League clubs should prioritize in sending their scouts to this summer. Here is our analysis of what we're dubbing 'EPL Transfer Tax'. In Part 1, we examine the top seven sides in the league based on points during the 2021-22 campaign, drawing conclusions around the business that 'Top 7' clubs conducted prior to the start of last season. In turn, this could inform decision making ahead of the 2022-23 season, and potentially the wider future at hand.

How Crystal Palace shocked Arsenal – Match Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Managers, Match Analysis, Premier League, Team Analysis

Under the influence of Patrick Vieira, Crystal Palace have put on a show this season, beating several of the league's most formidable sides. Shock wins against Manchester City and Nuno's Spurs will live long in the memory of Palace fans, but few of their performances can top this past weekend, when they creamed Mikel Arteta's … Continue reading How Crystal Palace shocked Arsenal – Match Analysis

The Longball Premier League Preview Show – New Year’s Blues

by TMS Staff, posted in Podcast

John and Declan look ahead to an exciting match week, dissecting the intense title clash between Chelsea and Manchester City, and the all-important North London Derby! The boys also take a trip to the bottom of the table where Watford take on Newcastle in this weekend's relegation six-pointer. All of that and a whole lot more in this episode! Follow the show @mastermindsite on social media.

Why Jonathan David is perfect for Arsenal

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Data Analysis, Player Analysis, Player Education, Premier League, Recruitment & Scouting, Striker, World Football

Arsenal need a new striker. With Aubameyang out of favour and Lacazette out of contract, that much is clear. But the man that comes into the club next needs to not only be a player who can score goals, but someone who possesses the characteristics of Arteta's style of play. That player needs to be capable of pressing high, linking up with others in possession, and playing on the break. So as Arsenal prepare their search for a new striker, we suggest they take a seriously look at Jonathan David.

Mikel Arteta – Arsenal – Tactical Analysis (2021-22 Edition)

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Managers, Premier League, Team Analysis

At the start of the 2021-22 campaign, all hope seemed to be lost for Arsenal. After losing their opening matches to Brentford and Chelsea without scoring a single goal, the Gunners suffered an embarrassing 5-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City. To make matters worse, their arch-rivals had beaten Guardiola's men on the opening day of the season, and sat top of the table at that time. Meanwhile, the Gunners sat rock bottom, with Arteta's future in doubt. Weeks later, Arsenal and Spurs faced off in the North London Derby, where the Gunners came out guns blazing, securing a stunning 3-1 victory. Ever since, Arteta's Arsenal have been full of light and positivity, playing some of their best football under the Spaniard. Arteta may not have fully flipped the script on his abilities, but for the meantime, Arsenal sit in fourth place, full of promise for the future. So with that, here is our 2021-22 tactical analysis of Mikel Arteta's team.