INTRODUCTION
Arsenal have recently tapped into extreme goal-scoring form. Arsenal's Premier League record in the last four games is as follows: 3-1 win over Liverpool, 6 - 0 win over West Ham, 4 - 1 win over Newcastle, 5 - 0 win over Burnley, 6 - 0 win over Sheffield United. Mikel Arteta's dynamic relationist football tactics have caused this surge in form. Let us dive into some of these strategies
Arsenal usually lineup in a 4-3-3, with Martinelli and Saka holding the conventional width in the wings. Gabriel and Saliba tighten the cogs as center-backs, with Ben White and Kiwior taking up dynamic positions as wingbacks. Generally, Ben White inverts to play in a more attacking role. Arsenal have two options for the midfield. Let us delve into both the plans:
THE PENTAGON
When we see Declan Rice and Kai Havertz taking up roles in the midfield, Arsenal are looking to enforce the pentagon. This involves Havertz entering the attack as a second striker through the left channel, allowing Rice to take up a deep central position. White inverts to enter the midfield and join Rice. Martin Ødegaard looks to push a bit higher, moving up near Saka. The relationism principle is really enforced here where Ødegaard and White often rotate positions. Having Ødegaard in a deeper position is a revelation for Arsenal, as he uses his wide range of passing to enforce himself as a roaming playmaker. The pentagon is formed with Declan Rice and Ben White (alternatively Ødegaard) taking up the anchors, with Havertz and Ødegaard (alternatively White) acting as No. 8s, giving width to the midfield, and Leandro Trossard as the central attacking option.
Midfielder Ødegaard has taken up an important role as playmaker, supplying important passes, fueling the Arsenal attack
The pentagon is extremely useful in creating an overload in midfield, which is extremely hard to deal with, as well as it being strong in creating high turnovers. From the buildup, the pentagon moves and rotates fluidly with quick and short passes, in the relationism model. The No. 8s can make decoy runs allowing the wingers space to face 1v1s. The ball can be relayed to Ødegaard as well, who may come deeper to receive the ball, with Ben White moving up to complete the rotation. Ødegaard can then use his passing ability to locate the No. 8s or striker. Overall, this provides a mountain of attacking opportunities that have boosted Arsenal's attacking ability.
THE FOUR FOUR TWO
Arsenal have assembled in a 4-4-2 with Jorginho and Declan Rice taking up deeper roles, and Ødegaard and Havertz acting as false-nines. Jorginho, as a player who's extremely good on the ball, dictates the tempo of play from deep. Ødegaard continues to function as a roaming playmaker. This formation is extremely strong in buildup, with two center-backs, two midfielders, a goalkeeper, and wingbacks that can invert, or hold the width and press forward. Arsenal buildup with quick, short passes to draw out the opposition and break pressing lines. The false-nines hold width to provide easy options for passing. Play can then be switched to the wingers who hold extra width on the flanks. The false-nines remain forward as relay options, in an attack consisting of two wingers, two false-nines and a striker, causing overloads in the box, which is extremely hard to deal with.
Italian midfielder Jorginho has been crucial in controlling the flow of the game for Arsenal
Conclusion
Arsenal look to two main relationist formations and setups to boost their attack, which has played out very well, and has positioned them as serious title contenders.