From Classic to Contemporary: Redefining the #10-#9 dynamic in modern systems – tactical theory

The relationship between a #9 and #10 is a fascinating one.

While the modern game has largely moved on from a #10 operating as a free player, the connection between a teams highest attacking midfielder and their striker is still pivotal to their success. The role of the #10 may not be the same as it was 30 years ago, but it isn’t extinct. It has merely evolved. Over the course of the evolutionary process, managers have found ways to keep some of the more desirable positional traits of the #10 while enhancing the connection between him and the #9.

Thats the topic of this tactical theory piece. Looking at some of the games top #9 and #10 pairings, this analysis is designed to extract ideas from that relationship and how the two players maintain a relationship of mutual benefit. To keep the focus of this analysis narrow, we’re looking at teams that play with a front three or lone striker with a #10 playing underneath.

This is the first of two articles on the topic. We tried to keep it to one, but there were too many worthwhile examples. Plus, one of the two most important aspects of the game is scoring goals, the other being not conceding them. Since the #9 and #10 are heavily involved when their team score, we’ll dig deep into the relationship with the follow-up analysis in a couple of weeks. For now, lets get started with a very basic aspect of the relationship, starting with how they occupy the backline.

Occupying the backline

A team’s listed formation will often conceal their attacking and defending intent. Arsenal Is a perfect example. The team sheet may list a 4-3-3, but that listing certainly doesnt pass the eye test. Ultimately, they are just numbers that give a basic structure, not necessarily a definitive listing of how a team will defend or attack.

Within a 4-3-3, a teams attacking shape could easily become a 2-4-4, 3-4-3 or a 3-2-5. Mikel Arteta’s positional play has created a unique problem for opponents by dropping Kai Havertz into midfield alongside Martin Ødegaard. Havertz gives Arsenal an extraordinary amount of flexibility. He has the qualities to play as a #10 but is also capable of playing alongside Gabriel Jesus to give Arsenal two high central players. His movement gives Ødegaard the freedom to push into that highest line of the attack or drop into midfield as he sees fit. That 3-2-5 could easily be listed as a 3-2-4+1 with Ødegaard operating in a free role.

When Ødegaard is free to move about the pitch, its common to see him either drop deep to direct the attack from outside of the press, slide into the wings to create a wide overload, or push high and centrally to give Arsenal an overload. In the picture below, he joins Jesus and Havertz high and centrally as Arsenal looks to progress from the build-out.

The tight central positions of Havertz and Jesus give Ødegaard the freedom to move his mark before darting into the wings to latch onto a forward pass.

With a team like Arsenal, we can look