6gunner
Active Member
Country: USA
This game will be interesting from a tactical point of view on a couple levels. One, it is going to be very similar to the Cup game we will play at Wembley against City. For us, it will likely be a trial run for the tactics that Pep is likely to employ. If we cope with them well, perhaps Pep will second guess them, if we don’t, perhaps it will give Wenger some ideas for that game.
As to the tactics? I fully expect them to press Xhaka all over the pitch. When teams back off and give him time, like Everton, he can spray the ball around and get our attack ticking. When teams stay in his grill he turns the ball over and it puts us in some difficult situations. Moreover, by pressing us in the center of the pitch, it forces us to play out wide where we don’t have a dribbler who can consistently beat a defender 1v1.
This is where I think Mhiki and Iwobi really can help us in the 4-2-3-1. Both are very good at link up play and can provide an outlet for Monreal or Hector to play quick passes back inside. If Özil drifts to the ball we can nullify the press by overloading the flank and looking for Auba or Ramsey making a run.
My adjustment would be to play Jack in the holing role to break up thier counter attacks and to use his turning/dribbling skills to provide another option for breaking the press.
Can’t wait for the game. COYG!
As to the tactics? I fully expect them to press Xhaka all over the pitch. When teams back off and give him time, like Everton, he can spray the ball around and get our attack ticking. When teams stay in his grill he turns the ball over and it puts us in some difficult situations. Moreover, by pressing us in the center of the pitch, it forces us to play out wide where we don’t have a dribbler who can consistently beat a defender 1v1.
This is where I think Mhiki and Iwobi really can help us in the 4-2-3-1. Both are very good at link up play and can provide an outlet for Monreal or Hector to play quick passes back inside. If Özil drifts to the ball we can nullify the press by overloading the flank and looking for Auba or Ramsey making a run.
My adjustment would be to play Jack in the holing role to break up thier counter attacks and to use his turning/dribbling skills to provide another option for breaking the press.
Can’t wait for the game. COYG!
