Uchambuzi kuelekea mechi ya kesho
At the Community Shield game, we saw Arteta make tweaks on his high press. This time, Partey was a bit more conservative at his jumps on City pivot, and instead, Rice, who played as the LCM, tried to cover both pivots when Odegaard jumped
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In addition, Saliba was back and Haaland couldn’t create any superiority over him when City tried long balls.
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So Guardiola made tweaks at the half time. He increased the distance btwn Kovacic/Dias. This put Odegaard in a difficult position. Once City LCB received the ball, this time Rodri, right DM, started to move higher, and this put Rice in a difficult position to cover both pivots.
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In addition, Guardiola started using his right winger at the right half space and number 10 in left half space in possession. This put Partey in an intermediate position. As Walker offered width from right side, Arsenal LB also had hesitations to follow City’s RW.
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Arteta replied to this by saying “All-in!” and switched to man-to-man press over whole field.
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However, Pep immediately made his move. To create further conflict on Arsenal, he broke his symmetries and overloaded the left half space. Arteta’s reaction was to immediately go back to his original pressing structure.
Now Bernardo dropped to DM. During build-up, he further dropped next to CB. This blocked Odegaard to shadow inner channels. Using a left-footed player at this position offered extra time and a better angle to send the ball further in the left half space.
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Higher up, RW continued to move to right HS, while both LW and no 10 started to occupy left HS. As City LB also pushed higher, Arsenal RB couldn’t follow City’s LW. This meant Arsenal DM, Partey, to defend 3 players at the center, and he naturally struggled with it.
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Although Arsenal won the Community Shield game eventually, we left the tactical battle between two coaches at this point
Now, for the next game, the first question is:
Will Pep immediately start from where he left off, asymmetric structure, both full backs pushing higher and wider, overloading left half space, Bernardo playing pivot and dropping next to CBs during build-up?
My answer is no since the game will be in Emirates and it is a little risky rest defense structure. However, if the game state forces him to take more risks, he will be knowing he has a good option to progress through Arsenal press.