Arsenal 2021/22: Mikel Arteta’s big mission – tactical analysis

After an eighth-place finish in the 2020/21 season and finding themselves bottom of the league after three matches at the start of the current season, many Arsenal fans were ready to see Mikel Arteta go. However, things can change very quickly, and few people will have predicted how the youngest squad in the Premier League now finds itself in the top five. So, what exactly has Arteta changed? Stick around because, in this tactical analysis, we’re going to be taking a look at a scout report of how Arsenal have become one of the most exciting teams in the league.

Changes made by Arteta

When looking back at Arsenals summer transfer window, we were all left questioning Arteta’s decision making process, spending over 150m on players all under the age of 23, while simultaneously losing their star striker Aubameyang. However, how wrong we’re all turning out to be, as the new signings in Ben White, Aaron Ramsdale and Tomiyasu seem to have been extremely well-thought-out picks, with each player quickly adapting to Arteta’s style of play. So, what exactly has he changed? Let’s first take a look at the changing starting XI and formation.

Arsenal found their form after switching from an underwhelming 3-4-2-1 into a more dynamic and versatile 4-2-3-1 formation, which has remained their system of choice since. The defence was arguably the area of the pitch that needed the biggest upgrade, and as we will see in this analysis, their summer signings were able to do just that.

Ramsdale has come in for Leno, and boasts a 76.3% save percentage, the second-best in the league. Their most expensive summer signing in Ben White has been their most consistent starter, and the defensive partnership with Magalhaes has added a lot more solidity at the back compared to either Rob Holding or David Luiz.

Kieran Tierney has proven to be one of Arsenals most reliable players, while Arsenal have picked an absolute gem at right-back with Japanese international Takehiro Tomiyasu. While not as flashy as other right-backs in the league, he is arguably much more consistent compared to Hector Bellerin. Due to injuries, both Soares and Tavares have also helped the team maintain a level of consistency.

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