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ARSENAL fans are hungry for success and early signs this season are that this could be the one that sees them end their long wait for a league title. With the additions of the likes of Mikel Merino, to add steel to the midfield, and Riccardo Calafiori, to bring versatility and a touch of class to the defensive unit it is fair to say that Arsenal were already looking stronger as they came into this season. Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka are the key attackers for ArsenalStats show they are not dominant in possessionThis was before aDeadline Day loan to secure the signing of the English star Raheem Sterling from rivals Chelsea.For all that Arsenal have looked strong this season with a very physical line up that excels at set pieces in particular and a rock solid defensive foundation, there are still tweaks that Arteta and his coaching staff can make in order to give Arsenal an even greater chance of beating Liverpool and Man City to the title this season.Here are three key areas that Arteta can turn to in order to end the season as champions of the Premier League.Isolating Bukayo SakaBukayo Saka has for some time been considered one of the best young players in world football. read more in footballNow aged 23, it is time to drop the word young from that sentence. Saka has been playing at an extremely high level for some time but this season his performances have gone through the roof.He is playing at such a high level that he has been the best player in the Premier League this season.His raw attacking output alone has been extremely impressive and in 10 games in all competitions so far this season he already has 3 goals and 7 assists to his name. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThat is before we even drill further down into his performances in possession and better understand the threat and danger that he poses to opposition defences whenever he has the ball. He can carry the ball and beat the defender 1v1 but his crossing, especially when cutting back onto his left-foot and crossing from a deeper angle, and his passing have also created real danger for opposition teams.Arsenal player ratings vs SouthamptonHere, against PSG, Arsenal creates the ideal opportunity for Saka to go 1v1 against the fullbackBukayo Saka played a very attacking role v PSGThe current injury to club captain Martin Odegaard, who normally plays as the most advanced central midfielder closest positionally to Saka, gives Arteta an opportunity to use Saka slightly differently from a tactical point of view. We will still see the England starr stay high and wide on the right-hand side.But now Arteta can isolate him on that side in an attempt to create more direct 1v1 opportunities for Saka to attack the opposition fullback.This is a tactical concept that Pep Guardiola used extensively when he was coaching at both Barcelona and Bayern Munich and to an extent at Manchester City in order to create opportunities to overload one side of the pitch and isolate a dangerous attacking wide player on the other side.Saka receives the ball outside and goes 1v1 against the Spurs fullback. In these situations he can attack the opposition player either on the inside or the outsideGiving Saka more opportunities on the ball in isolated situations would be hugely beneficial for Arsenal as they move towards the end of the season.Compact against the ballIt has been a very notable part of Arsenal’s recruitment strategy in recent seasons to recruit tall and physically imposing players in all areas. From the additions of Ben White or William Saliba in defence to Declan Rice and Mikel Merino in midfield to Kai Havertz in attack. They have recruited players who are more than capable of standing up to the physical demands of Premier League football.This is, in part at least, responsible for the sheet defensive strength of Arsenal this season. They have conceded just six goals in the league and for the vast majority of the matches that they have played they have looked very strong from a defensive perspective. This is partly down to the fact that in William Saliba and Gabriel they have two of the top central defenders in all of Europe.Against Southampton, the Arsenal midfield and defence are very compact and prevent the opposition from being able to build an attackArsenal were very compact in their draw with Man CityAs the season progresses we believe Arteta will look to set up his side to be even more solid and compact out of possession as they look to strangle the opposition and prevent them from being able to break them down in central areas. This is where the size of the players that Arteta has at his disposal comes in. They are big and physical but also mobile and they have a very high technical level. This means that Arteta will be able to have them play in a deeper block against the ball but then also retain possession and build their attacks when they win the ball back.By keeping the players on the pitch compact against the ball Arteta will deny them any space to attack into between the lines of defence and midfield or midfield and attack. This will force the opposition to either go long, where Saliba and Gabriel are comfortable or around the outside where Arsenal will set pressing traps and triggers in order to quickly engage and regain possession.Arsenal were incredibly disciplined against Man City as they work to prevent the champions by refusing to allow any space for a goal scoring chanceArteta has already shown that he is not afraid to use some of the ‘dark arts’ of football so Arsenal fans should not be surprised to see them starting to play slightly more defensively when out of possession.Greater controlArteta is clearly an obsessive and detail-oriented coach who wants to control and micro-manage every aspect of Arsenal’s performances on and off the pitch.This is part of the reason that Arsenal have already reached the level that they have this season, and indeed last season when they finished a credible second, and it is this search for control that will see him look to use his fullbacks in such a way that they can dominate and control matches when they are in possession of the ball.Calafiori was wide but also tucked inside against LeicesterWith the likes of Ben White, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori all capable of playing the fullback positions Arteta has developed a set of options in these positions that are comfortable in different positions.They can invert and play inside when Arsenal are in possession as extra midfielders.Or sit deeper in wide areas and almost play as very deep fullbacks who only move forward to support the attack at very specific moments.In the moments before Calafiori’s goal vs Man City, the Italian international is narrow and receives the ball in a pocket of space, instead of moving wide as you might expectMeet the Arsenal Wags from Strictly star to a flight attendantTolami Benson – partner of Bukayo SakaBenson and Saka have kept information on their relationship largely quiet.They do not appear on each others Instagram pages but she was seen speaking to Saka at the 2022 World Cup.Helene Spilling – partner of Martin OdegaardA professional dancer from Norway who rose to fame in the country’s version of Strictly Come Dancing, the pair were first spotted together at the Football Awards in March 2023. Sophie Weber – partner of Kai HavertzWeber works as a model and social media influencer and is the most high profile member of the group on online with almost 400,000 followers on Instagram.They are childhood sweethearts having grown up in the same neighbourhood.Milly White – partner of Ben WhiteThe couple got engaged in 2022 before tying the knot officially in May last year. They have matching “I love you tattoos” on their wrists. Milly White works as a model.Laura Trossard Hilven – partner of Leandro TrossardThe pair met in 2014 before getting married in 2019.They have two sons together, Thiago and Amadeo.Lauren Fryer – partner of Declan RiceLauren Fryer and Declan Rice have been together since 2015. She tends to keep a lower profile compared to some of Arsenal’s other Wags but is no less stunning.She sadly deleted all pictures on her Instagram after suffering horrific abuse by vile trolls.Georgina Ramsdale – partner of Aaron RamsdaleGeorgina Ramsdale works as a flight attendant.The couple got married last June after the Arsenal star proposed in 2022. They originally met in 2019.These movements from the Arsenal fullbacks, whether inverting into the midfield or staying wide and deeper to support the attack, are a way for Arteta to ensure that his side always have control in possession. They give options to receive the ball when Arsenal are attacking but that is not the main reason for the fullbacks to be used by Arteta in this way.The main purpose is that in this kind of tactical shape and with the fullbacks operating and behaving in this manner so that when Arsenal do lose possession they are immediately in a position to defend against dangerous counter attacks from the opposition players. The fullbacks add an extra element of control and security for Arsenal in these situations.Once again we see Calafiori inverted and positioned inside in order to help the build-up play from Arsenal. This narrow position is ideal for ball possessionJurrien Timber is a full back who is comfortable inverting into midfieldArteta is a coach who favours control and security in and out of possession. Now that he has these fullbacks in his squad expect to see them used in this manner more frequently between now and the end of the season.READ MORE SUN STORIESConclusionWith Liverpool under new management this season and with Man City losing their talisman Rodri for most of the rest of the season Arsenal are many people’s favourites for the league title this season. We believe that the three tactical concepts we have outlined in this article will be used extensively going forward by Arteta and they could be the key to finally delivering the Premier League title back to North London for the first time since 2004. More

MOVE over Jack Grealish because Thomas Tuchel ALSO boasts model looks, as this incredible photoshoot shows.The German coach, 51, has been confirmed as the new manager of England – signing an 18-month contract worth £5million-per-year.Before Thomas Tuchel was England manager, he starred in this fashion photoshootCredit: Markus JansTuchel appeared in his first press conference as England manager on WednesdayHe said in a statement: “I am very proud to have been given the honour of leading the England team.”I have long felt a personal connection to the game in this country, and it has given me some incredible moments already.”To have the chance to represent England is a huge privilege, and the opportunity to work with this special and talented group of players is very exciting.”Working closely with Anthony [Barry] as my assistant coach, we will do everything we can to make England successful and the supporters proud.Read more football news”I want to thank the FA, in particular Mark and John, for their trust and I am looking forward to starting our journey together.”Tuchel has enjoyed an incredible rise in the game as a tactician, after his professional football career came to a premature end at 24 through injury.Instead, he worked in a bar in Stuttgart, initially collecting glasses and wiping tables, before graduating to making Mojitos.He juggled his job as a barman while returning to education to do Business Studies.Most read in FootballTuchel, desperate to return to football, contacted ex-Man Utd boss Ralf Rangnick who guided him towards a coaching career. Watch Thomas Tuchel’s awkward reaction when asked why he chose England over Man UtdNo sooner had he established his name in Germany, he starred in a glossy photoshoot for a fashion magazine.FashionistaIn 2017, Tuchel shocked German football by appearing in a ZEITmagazin MANN as a model.His 6ft4in beanpole figure adorned the stylish clothes he wore.One image showed a pensive Tuchel looking into the distance, Zoolander ‘Blue Steel’ style, in a black and white pinstripe whistle.Another picture saw the unlikely mannequin dressed in a long black coat with a white shirt underneath and short cropped black trousers.Studious, moody, and a purveyor of the beautiful game – Tuchel looked the part.In his interview with ZEITmagazin MANN, he spoke about his job at the hipster Radio Bar in Stuttgart.”I don’t want to have drunk the cocktails that I mixed at the beginning,” he laughed.”I slowly developed a new self-confidence in the bar, shift by shift, evening after evening.The shoot shocked German football and showed a different side to TuchelCredit: Markus JansTuchel in action for SSV Ulm in 1996, where he would have to retire as a player”I had overcome the inhibition threshold of asking strangers if they needed me. And suddenly I made the experience: ‘Your colleagues just like you for who you are, they have no idea that you were once a professional footballer.'”Unfinished businessDespite Tuchel’s best efforts of launching himself into academia and being a customer-pleaser in a trendy dive bar, he felt he had unfinished business with football.His retirement in 1998 didn’t diminish the flame burning inside him to succeed in the game in some way.He contacted then-Stuttgart boss Ralf Rangnick, who at the time was head of sport and development at Red Bull GmbH, for a trial with the club’s reserves – believing he was fit to play after nine months without kicking a ball.However, chronic cartilage damage saw Tuchel unable to show his true potential.But Rangnick was impressed with Tuchel’s tactical knowledge. He invited him to shadow coaches in the club academy, until the young student took over the U14 team in 2000.Tuchel now had his foot in the door.Tuchel worked as a barman in Radio Bar as he contemplated what to do nextA career at Stuttgarter Kickers was cut short by a knee injuryread more sport featuresFrom Barman to Bundesliga coach in nine yearsAstonishingly, the ambitious coach went from that Radio Bar job to coaching a Bundesliga side in just nine years.At Stuttgart, under mentor Hermann Badstuber, father of ex-Bayern Munich star Holger, he eventually became assistant coach for the U19s, where he helped the side win the U19 Bundesliga title in 2005.In 2006, he joined FC Augsburg, a team he spent his youth career with as a player.It was a setting that allowed Tuchel to complete his coaching badges and become reserve team manager.Not content there, he moved to Mainz in 2008 to coach their U19 side.He was a resounding success, winning the youth title and nurturing talent that would serve the German national team well in the future, including World Cup winner Andre Schurrle.His work didn’t go unnoticed by the German FA, who offered him the opportunity to coach their U21 side.However, when Mainz boss Jorn Andersen was fired the club turned to Tuchel to take over the reins. He had secured his dream job as a Bundesliga manager.Tuchel became a student of the game at Mainz where he coached the academy starsTuchel’s journey began as a youth coach where he scored success before coaching the first teamMainz won the U19 Bundesliga title under TuchelSuccess storyThose early years of disappointment and hard graft moulded Tuchel into the man he is today.Forever ambitious, his successes were the reason England hired him. Simply, they wanted a coach who has won things.In his first role, he took lowly Mainz to fifth spot and Europa League qualification. The first time the club ever qualified in Europe.At Borussia Dortmund he was handed the tough task of following in Jurgen Klopp’s shoesYoung stars like Christian Pulisic and Ousmane Dembele were nurtured under his watch, which could bode well for lion cubs Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer, and Rico Lewis.Despite winning the German cup, Tuchel was fired after disagreements with the hierarchy three days later in 2017.After his fashion turn in ZEITmagazin MANN, he took on the role of PSG boss – showing he can manage superstars like Neymar and Kylian Mbappe without any major fallouts with players.In his final season with the French club he won the treble. But, after several disagreements with sporting director Leonardo, he was fired again.Chelsea came calling, which ignited Tuchel’s love for the English game.ANDY DILLON: Thomas Tuchel has all the ingredients to become a classic England manager – tactical nous, drive and a tangled love lifeBy Andy DillonTHOMAS TUCHEL possesses all the ingredients to become a classic England manager.Tactical nous, drive, energy, experience – a tangled love life.English football should welcome back the most explosive, dynamic, charismatic and impossibly tall and gangly coach to have lit up the Premier League.Chelsea’s colourful former boss has been leading a settled life in Munich of late.Far enough away from ex-wife Sissi but close enough to see his two daughters.Walking his dog in the streets in the east of Germany’s most fashionable city, residing in the posh Bogenhausen area. Living relatively quietly with his Brazilian girlfriend.Tuchel is a vastly different personality to the man who led England quietly but assuredly to the brink of World Cups and European Championships.An excitable nature can make him hard to handle for those seeking calm and who like to impose their way on a manager they view very much as an underling.Read more on why Tuchel REALLY IS the best man for the England jobSerial winner celebrates winning the German cup with Borussia DortmundDuring his time at PSG, Tuchel was able to handle superstars like Kylian Mbappe and NeymarAs Chelsea boss, Tuchel helped the West London side lift the Champions LeagueTuchel will be reunited with Harry Kane with England after they worked together at Bayern MunichHe brought the West Londoners European glory in his 20-month spell – winning the Champions League.READ MORE SUN STORIESTuchel also delivered the Bundesliga for Bayern Munich in his first season, however he couldn’t repeat the trick in his second campaign.England now have a man who has won things at the highest level at the helm. No excuses now. More