Mikel Arteta and Arsenal

MIKEL ARTETA COACHING PROFILE

Mikel Arteta after finishing his playing career start as Assistant coach under Pep Guardiola. In his three years of working he won two Premier leagues and domestic cups. During his tenure he helped to develop players like Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sané.

In 2019 Mikel Arteta was appointed to his first managerial role as manager of his former club Arsenal and during his first season in charge won the FA Cup.

Arteta as most of Spaniards, shaped his philosophy through Positional style of play but with modern imputs of the game. During his five years in charge, he won Won the FA Cup (2019-20) and Community Shield (2020, 2023).

Tactical adaption as big principle in modern football, Arsenal's Arteta create title contenders in Premier league. We will analyze Offensive principles of play in season 2023/2024.

ARTETA PLAYING STYLE

Arteta's overall strategy can be characterized as a positional style of play that emphasizes tactical discipline. He often employs central overloads and utilizes a box midfield with a false number nine. The wingers serve as the team's width, with Saka and Martinelli being pivotal players in both goal creation and scoring.

Key Strengths as a Coach
✅ Tactical Intelligence – Learns and adapts quickly, making Arsenal a well-drilled unit.
✅ Player Development – Improved players like Saka, Martinelli, Ødegaard, Saliba, and White.
✅ Defensive Organization – Arsenal went from a leaky defense to one of the league’s best defensive teams.
✅ Strong Leadership & Mentality Shift – Changed Arsenal’s mindset from a top-6 team to title challengers.
✅ In-Game Adaptations – Adjusts pressing structure, attacking shape, and defensive setups based on opposition.

His foundational formation of 4-3-3 is highly flexible and can be adjusted based on the quality of the opponent. During the buildup phase 5m, Arteta often employs direct passes to the wingers or initiates play from the back using third-man combinations to establish numerical advantages. A key principle in this buildup strategy is the emphasis on second balls following direct passes. When Arsenal constructs their play from the back, they typically utilize a 2-3 or 3-2 structure for positional attacks. Specific movements, such as full-backs moving inside or the number nine dropping deeper, are designed to control the central areas of the pitch. In the final third, Arsenal capitalizes on the qualitative superiority of their wingers in one-on-one situations, as well as cutbacks and the incisive passes from Ødegaard.

Key Tactical Innovations
Inverted full-back system: Zinchenko steps into midfield, creating numerical superiority.
Box midfield (3-2-5 in attack): Allows dominance in central areas.
Flexible pressing triggers: Arsenal adjusts pressing intensity based on the opponent.

BUILD UP PLAY

Build up 5m starting formation can be achieved with either a 4-2-4 setup or by utilizing the goalkeeper as an additional center-back in a 4-2-5 configuration. The fundamental strategies involve employing direct passes to the wingers or taking advantage of openings in the midfield. As the play develops, teams can implement third-man combinations or utilize the dropping movements of the number 8 or 10 players to draw in defenders, allowing for opportunities to play through or over the second and third lines of pressure.

 Build-Up Roles by Position
✅ Goalkeeper (Raya/Ramsdale): Plays short passes but can go long if pressed.
✅ Center-Backs (Saliba & Gabriel): Comfortable under pressure, breaking lines with progressive passes.
✅ Full-Backs (White/Zinchenko/Tomiyasu):

Zinchenko inverts into midfield, creating numerical superiority.
White/Tomiyasu stays deeper to maintain defensive stability.
✅ Midfielders (Ødegaard, Rice, Partey, Havertz):
Ødegaard drops into right half-space to link play.
Rice acts as the pivot, shielding and dictating play.
✅ Wingers (Saka/Martinelli/Trossard): Stay high and wide to stretch opposition.
✅ Striker (Havertz/Jesus/Nketiah): Drops deep to link play, making third-man runs.

Numerical Superiority in the First Phase
🎯 Concept: Always have a +1 advantage in deep build-up.

Against a one-striker press, Arsenal keeps a 2v1 (CBs vs striker).
Against a two-striker press, Arsenal adds the pivot (Rice/Partey) to create a 3v2.
Raya can also step in to create a 4v3 numerical overload if needed.

BUILD UP PLAY 5m and FROM THE BACK ARSENAL VIDEO

OFFENSIVE MIDDLE ZONE AND PROGRESSION OF ATTACK

Shape in Progression (3-2-5 or 2-3-5)
In possession, Arsenal shifts into a 3-2-5 shape:

• • Two center-backs + inverted full-back + pivot (Rice/Partey) hold structure
  • Ødegaard & Havertz position between the lines in half-spaces
  • Saka & Martinelli stay wide to stretch the opposition
  • Striker (Havertz/Jesus) drops into midfield to link play

1️⃣ Through the Middle: Central Overloads & Quick Passes
🎯 Concept: Use Ødegaard, Rice, and Havertz to progress through central areas.

Ødegaard drops into right half-space, dragging a defender out of position.
Havertz or Jesus drops deeper, creating a numerical advantage in midfield.
Rice switches play quickly to open space for wingers.

2️⃣ Around the Block: Wide Overloads & Half-Space Penetration
🎯 Concept: Create 3v2 or 4v3 overloads in wide areas to progress the ball.
✅ Right-Side Combinations (Ødegaard – Saka – White)

Ødegaard receives in the half-space, forcing a defender to step up.
Saka drifts inside, dragging the full-back.
White overlaps or makes a cutback pass to the penalty area.

✅ Left-Side Overloads (Zinchenko – Martinelli – Havertz)

Zinchenko moves centrally, dragging midfielders inside.
Martinelli stays wide, receiving in 1v1 situations.
Havertz arrives late in the box for a cutback cross.

3️⃣ Over the Block: Direct Balls & Runners in Behind
🎯 Concept: If the opposition sits deep, Arsenal goes direct to break defensive lines.

Raya or Saliba plays a long pass to Jesus or Havertz.
Saka and Martinelli make diagonal runs behind defenders.
Ødegaard and Rice attack second balls to regain control.

Key Tactical Patterns in Attacking Progression

A. "Third-Man Runs" to Beat Defenders
🔹 Arsenal uses quick "third-man combinations" to progress the ball.

Ødegaard → Saka (lays it off) → White (runs into space).
Zinchenko → Martinelli (holds play) → Havertz (arrives late in box).

B. "Wall Passes" to Unlock Midfields
🔹 Arsenal often uses one-touch passing sequences to bypass pressure.

Ødegaard → Jesus → Saka (wall pass back to Ødegaard).
Rice → Havertz → Martinelli (quick combination to attack the box).

C. Positional Rotations for Unpredictability
🔹 Arsenal’s players rotate positions to confuse defenders.
✅ Example: Ødegaard Drops Deep, White Pushes Up

Ødegaard moves into midfield, dragging a defender with him.
White overlaps and receives a pass in space.

ARSENAL OFF MIDDLE ZONE+FINAL THIRD VIDEO

Key Tactical Innovations

• Inverted full-back system: Zinchenko steps into midfield, creating numerical superiority.
• Box midfield (3-2-5 in attack): Allows dominance in central areas.
• Flexible pressing triggers: Arsenal adjusts pressing intensity based on the opponent.

Tactical Challenges & Evolution

• Struggles against deep blocks: Teams parking the bus (e.g., Everton away) can frustrate Arsenal.
• Adapting to new roles: The Havertz midfield experiment has had ups and downs.

Squad rotation & fatigue management: Arteta has improved depth but relies heavily on key starters.

Conclusion: Can Arsenal Win the Premier League & UCL Under Arteta?

✅ Premier League: Yes, but they must improve squad depth & game management.
✅ Champions League: They need another 1-2 seasons of UCL experience & key signings.

Final Steps to Dominate Europe:
1️⃣ Sign an elite striker – Someone who guarantees 20+ goals.
2️⃣ Improve rotation – Arsenal must keep Saka, Rice, and Saliba fresh.
3️⃣ Be more flexible in Europe – Mix pressing and counter-attacking styles.

If Arsenal fixes these small but crucial issues, Arteta’s project can deliver the club’s first UCL title & a Premier League trophy soon. 🚀🔥

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