The top match of the weekend featured the North London derby with Tottenham Hotspur visiting Arsenal. The rivalry match did not disappoint- the game was an end-to-end battle with Arsenal coming back from a 2-0 deficit to salvage a point 2-2. The match also saw a fantastic yet slightly unexpected tactical battle.
This tactical analysis will provide an in-depth analysis of the tactical strategy employed in the 2-2 derby draw. Tottenham’s manager Mauricio Pochettino sent his squad out to be disciplined defensively and attack through the counter. Unai Emery chose the opposite tactic and tasked his Arsenal squad with getting numbers forward into the attack and press the ball high up the field.
Lineups
Arsenal employed a 4-3-3 alignment. Bernd Leno was in goal behind a back four of Sead Kolašinac, David Luiz, Sokratis, and Ainsley Maitland-Niles. The midfield was anchored by Granit Xhaka, with Mattéo Guendouzi on his left and Lucas Torreira on his right. The front line was the trio of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, and Nicolas Pépé.
Tottenham Hotspur countered with a disciplined 4-4-2 setup. Hugo Lloris in goal with a back four of Danny Rose, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, and makeshift right-back Davinson Sánchez. Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko sat in front of the backline with Érik Lamela on the right and Christian Eriksen on the left. Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son were up top.
Tottenhams Tactical Setup
One of the big tactical questions for Tottenham entering the match was would Spurs press Arsenal or not. From the outset of the match, the answer was a resounding sit and counter . Tottenham had clear intention to play out of a disciplined 4-4-2 and hit Arsenal in transition. Below we see Tottenham in two blocks of four.
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