Across England’s top two divisions, Arsenal and Leeds United could both claim to have suffered the most heartbreaking end to a largely successful 2023/24. Arsenal took their title challenge to the final day of the season, but they were unable to pip Man City to the crown which has eluded...
How To Defend Corner Kicks It is known that there are three methods of defending corner kicks: The man-marking system: This method relies on marking players individually, with only one or more players designated as zonal defenders. The zonal-marking system: This method relies entirely on defending specific zones. Each player...
On this upcoming Friday evening, global attention will turn to the return of the world’s most popular football league, as the English Premier League 2024/2025 season restarts with a match between Manchester United and Fulham. The English Premier League has now become a significant event attracting a diverse range of...
The Premier League has become a major reference in football analysis due to its abundance of high-level coaches and players, making it a hub for those seeking to learn from coaches worldwide. One of the areas where the Premier League currently leads globally is set-pieces, where it has made significant...
Two weeks ago, our tactical theory article on the relationship between the #9 and #10 hit the website. Initially, this was supposed to be a stand-alone article. After watching some of Europe's best pairings, it was clear this wasn't possible. A second instalment was needed. And that's where we find...
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 team's highest attacking midfielder and their striker is still pivotal to their success. The role of the #10 may...
The WSL has always been an engrossing league to watch, with close contests to enjoy at the summit and the foot of the table as teams either strive for glory, look to improve on their previous placing or simply try to stay in the division. The 2023/24 campaign has been...
Football is everywhere. Thanks to more and more TV coverage of live games and highlights and social media, there is no hiding place for those who are deemed to be underperforming. While increased exposure to football has positive elements attached to it, there is also a fair share of negative...
Signed for around seven million euros, Gabriel Martinelli's performances have already made him a prized asset for Arsenal's future. The Brazilian, who is 22 years old, is now playing his fifth season in the English Premier League. His adaptability to the league under Mikel Arteta tactics, has become increasingly noticeable...
In a tumultuous match that marked Julian Nagelsmann's home debut as Germany's head coach, the team faced a chaotic showdown against Türkiye, resulting in their first loss under Nagelsmann's leadership. The Olympiastadion in Berlin, though technically a home ground, felt like an away game. Apart from the result, one noteworthy...
This weekend saw a top-of-the-table WSL clash between Arsenal and Manchester City. Manchester City came into this game in fantastic form, leading the league, having only dropped points against reigning WSL champions Chelsea in a 1-1 draw where City went down to nine players for the last fifteen minutes. In...
Under Mikel Arteta's leadership, Arsenal are now reaping the rewards of their faith in the promising coach. After serving as Guardiola's assistant at Manchester City, Arteta has been heavily influenced by the Catalan coach’s style. He is currently forging his own path, relying on young talents to compete with the...
Set-pieces are an integral part of the higher levels of football, as distinguished teams continually look for any potential way to gain an advantage and excel. Over time, set-piece analysis has become an important topic and an essential matter for all teams, so set-pieces are no longer as random as...
Arsenal Formation Analysis It can be said that under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal now find themselves fueled by hope and ambition to reach the first row in football again. They showed significant growth last season by challenging Manchester City until the final hurdles and laying the groundwork for future success. The...
For those who do not already know Alessia Russo, she is an international English player who has just moved from Manchester United Women to Arsenal Women. Russo is a 24-year-old who started her senior career at Chelsea during the 2016-2017 season before moving to Brighton and then to Manchester United...
Cloé Lacasse is a Canadian international player who is actually playing for Benfica Women in the Campeonato Nacional Feminino as well as in the UWCL. She has been an international player since 2021 and has been progressing in a considerable fashion within the last few years, despite the fact that...
There are four phases of play in football: attack, defence, attacking transition and defensive transition. Carlos Corberan once stated that if a team executes all their actions well in these phases, then they are playing good football. This statement, however, is slightly tongue-in-cheek as this is something that is easier...
The momentum in the title race was always going to be affected by a Manchester City win, but their 4-1 triumph over Arsenal was so dominant that it may have shattered the challenger's hopes. Manchester City's performance was spectacular, ending the game before the 60th minute and forcing Mikel Arteta's...
Over the years, the fullback role, regarding its positioning, has suffered several changes. A few decades ago, the fullback’s main function was to support the team defensively, helping to not concede any goals. Only after the team was assured defensively, the fullback was allowed to intervene in the offensive process....
Arsenal have been one of the surprise packages in the Premier League this season, inserting themselves as title challengers after finishing fifth last time out. Mikel Arteta has changed the general perception of himself as a manager by transforming the Gunners into a winning machine that currently sits in first...
