MIKEL ARTETA’s genius tactics video from three years ago has resurfaced after his instructions paid off in Arsenal’s dramatic 3-2 win over Manchester United.
The Spaniard’s men are top of the Premier League, holding a five-point advantage over defending champions Manchester City.
Arsenal also have a game in hand over City, which could see the Gunners extend the gap to eight points.
The North London club’s last win may prove to be one of their most important this season.
A win for United would’ve seen Erik ten Hag’s side close the gap on Arsenal, announcing the Old Trafford club in the title race.
However, Arsenal held their nerve with Eddie Nketiah scoring a last-minute winner.
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And throughout moments of the game, Arteta’s tactical instructions were at work.
In a three-year-old video, Arteta talked on how he wanted to bring the opposition’s wing-play to a grinding halt.
He said: “Because I don’t like creating lines between the wide players.
“Why? Because the full back passes to the wide player like this. His back’s to goal. He can’t progress the play.
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“There’s always someone at his bum. He cannot play forward.”
In the win over United, Oleksandr Zinchenko can be seen playing out this scenario.
Gabriel Martinelli tracked the runner in Aaron Wan-Bissaka, while Zinchenko was hot on Antony’s heels, preventing progression down the line.
Antony was then forced to play the ball backwards.
In the old video, Arteta also stressed how important a player’s angles are when receiving the ball.
The Gunners play with inverted wingers; a left-footed Bukayo Saka playing off the right and a right-footed Martinelli off the left.
Arteta said: “When you do it like this, the angles you create, you’re always receiving the ball like this.”
Against United, as well as Tottenham, Saka could be seen receiving the ball at angles that opened up spaces on the pitch to exploit.
It worked a treat against United as he ended up getting a goal, firing in from range.
Arteta is highly thought of in the Arsenal dressing room, and some of his stars have insisted they’ve never had a coach like the former Gunners midfielder.
Granit Xhaka, who has gone from zero to hero at the Emirates, said: “I’ve had many coaches in my career, but never one like Arteta.
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“e seems like he is focused only on football 24 hours a day. He always has a plan A, B – and maybe even a plan Z.
“But he’s not only top tactically, but he’s also top as a person.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
