By Vinay Shankar (Tactical Analyst)
A few moments of brilliance opened the game and set the course for a comfortable second half against a very physical side.
Coping with the aerial duels and second balls properly is the best way to counter a Sean Dyche side defensively and patience with the ball to beat the low block. This did not happen at Goodison Park a few weeks back and for the first 30 minutes of this match, the pattern of the game was similar.
Without Calvert-Lewin, the aerial threat was no longer available but there was a distinct lack of pressure on the ball by Arsenal when Everton had possession. There seemed to be a fear of giving away fouls and a distinct lack of aggression to stop the Everton buildup immediately. The visitors were of course happy to slow the game down, disrupt rhythm as much as possible and frustrate the crowd.
Everton looked to force the buildup into the fullbacks, especially White, and Arsenal struggled to progress the play from these areas. Zinchenko drifted all over the place to drag the midfield out of shape and create chances as the midfield block was not sure about marking him. Everton’s narrow shape implies that the diagonal balls are always an option to switch the point of attack but a sluggish performance up to the goals prevented any end product.
Martinelli and Trossard’s fluidity seems to have reinvigorated Arsenal’s attack. The Belgian plays as an extra attacking midfielder in tight spaces and the Brazilian switches between winger and running the channels from central areas. This allows Arsenal to increase variability to unsettle opposition while building out from the left with the Belgian’s technical ability in tight spaces and dribbling qualities proving to be a great fit in the team. Everton’s defenders like to be physical and touch tight against strikers so these movements are a useful tactic to open up a low block.
The 2 quick-fire goals settled the contest and the introduction of Partey allowed for complete control of the tempo. The counter-press from Arsenal went up a few levels and it was just a matter of finding the spare man and moving the ball to enforce the dominance.
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