Leeds 0-1 Arsenal: A Tactical Analysis

Facing Leeds on the back of a brilliant run of form, Arsenal faced severe challenges against Leeds’ quality football. Prior to facing Leeds, Arsenal defeated Liverpool and Bodo in the previous week, and the games were nothing less than extremely intense. Leeds are one of the most physical sides in the league, and the matter of fatigue eventually came into play, as predicted.

Arsenal started the game with the same lineup as the Liverpool game, and without the tactical tweak that was implemented against them. Tomiyasu played the role of inverted left back, as Arsenal built from the back, and it was hardly a right decision from Mikel.

This was a game of two halves. A proper game of two halves. Arsenal played their best football in the first half, and they had to survive the second half. We will talk about both halves separately.

For the first 15 mins, Arsenal were all over the place. Tried to build from the back, but both in buildups and progressions. But due to bad touches, inaccurate passes, combined with Leeds’ intense pressure, Arsenal kept losing the ball. Leeds were at first forming a mid block, triggering the press as soon as Arsenal entered their half, and then pressed higher from there. The intensity as well as Arsenal’s below average technical performance helped Leeds win the ball, and create chances.

Arsenal took control after the opening 15 mins, thanks to raising the technical level. Playing through Leeds’ press in 3-2 shape in the first phase, Arsenal started progressing the ball in transition, forming 2-3-5 in progression, and started creating big chances. Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Partey, Jesus raised their technical level, and Leeds’ press became Arsenal’s main chance creation method. Their counterpress was effective, and passively resulted in the goal, brilliantly made by Odegaard, and scored by Saka.

Leeds pressed in a 4-3-3 shape, and they overloaded one are of the pitch to gain numerical superiority and possession, which largely worked. Arsenal couldn’t match them on intensity often, and lacked enough technical security in the midfield. Arsenal failed to pin them down, understandably so. Arsenal created from transitions, but lost the ball easily. Lack of technical security in the first phase was prominent with Tomi in 3-2, and this game required a Zinchenko, or at least a KT.

Leeds started the second half on a high note, and Arsenal start being sloppy again. They press in 4-3-3 shape, overload an area for high turnovers, and create big chances. Arsenal started kicking long, but they couldn’t win the second ball, and their technical level was below par. Physically, it was difficult for Arsenal to match the intensity. As a result, they played through Arsenal’s press very easily. The defence deserves a lot of credit, because they were rock solid to face constant attacks from Leeds.

Defensively, Arsenal decided to see the game off in the final 15 minutes, and Arsenal defended quite well against the physically superior Leeds. 5-3-2 deep block with Holding helped Arsenal see the game off without any further trouble. The game was not a typical Arsenal match. Arsenal played their brand of controlling football in the first half, and apart from some sloppy moments, they did pretty well defensively to see the game off. It’s understandable why Arteta was absolutely ecstatic.

Playing Tomiyasu instead of KT was a mistake in my book. Although with Zinny’s injury, it’s understandable that he is being a little conservative. Also, the players were below their technical level, and that proved difficult for Arsenal. Rambo had a wonderful game, who made quite a few decisive saves. In a game like this, the goalkeeper needs to step up, and step up he did. But Magalhaes, what a game he had! A wonderful display of calm, defensively solid football. Long may it continue.

Arsenal showed temperament, maturity and tenacity to take all the 3 points against Leeds. It’s not always gonna be a favorable game, especially after playing two tough sides in the prior week. 3 points, on top of the table, great defensive display. Not much to complain about.