Arsenal Tactical Trends After Four Weeks: Structure, Evolution, and Depth
Four matches into the season, Arsenal’s data paints a picture of continuity blended with evolution. The team has displayed a strong defensive floor, familiar attacking patterns, and an increasing influence from new arrivals. Weeks 1 through 4 show a side still leaning on its right-sided progression, but now with emerging balance on the left, more direct involvement from the striker, and contributions from summer signings. At the same time, some concerns remain: central chance creation is still limited, and attacking quality against elite opposition has lagged behind the control Arsenal regularly impose.
This review brings together four weeks of data to trace what has carried over, what is new, what issues remain, and which strengths now look reliable.
Trends That Continued
Right-side progression as the base
From Old Trafford to the Emirates, the right-hand channel has been Arsenal’s backbone. Week 1 showed Ødegaard, Saka, and White orchestrating most of the final-third access. When White missed the Leeds match, Timber filled the progression role, with the same outcome. Even without Saka and with Ødegaard reduced to a late cameo at Anfield, the shape persisted, with Madueke given responsibility to advance play. Week 4 against Forest followed the same template: Madueke was a high-volume outlet, supported by Timber’s overlaps. This emphasis is now a structural constant rather than an individual trait.
Control through possession
Arsenal’s ability to manage game state has been visible across all four weeks. At Old Trafford, possession phases limited United’s transitions. Against Leeds, Arsenal tilted the pitch, producing 70 percent possession and relentless entries into the final third. At Anfield, the ball moved through Rice and Zubimendi to prevent Liverpool from dictating tempo, even if chance quality was lacking. Forest saw Arsenal record 54 percent possession, sixteen shots to five, and a steady flow of territorial dominance. Regardless of opponent or location, control of territory has been a hallmark.
Defensive platform anchored by Gabriel and partner
The centre-back unit has proven reliable across different partnerships. Gabriel and Saliba were compact and secure in Week 1. Against Leeds, they allowed almost nothing. Saliba’s injury at Anfield meant Mosquera was thrust into action, and the young defender coped admirably. Forest showed the same resilience, with Gabriel and Mosquera reading direct play and keeping Forest to ~0.2 xG. Across four matches, Arsenal’s expected goals conceded has remained low, reinforcing the view that defensive stability is embedded in structure, not just personnel.
Set-piece effectiveness
Set pieces have already shaped outcomes. Week 1 was decided by Calafiori’s header from a corner. Timber’s brace against Leeds included a well-timed set-piece run. Week 4 added further value from corners and wide deliveries. This repeatability shows set plays remain a reliable scoring mechanism, extending a pattern that carried over from last season.
New and Emerging Trends
Balanced buildup through the left
The early weeks were heavily tilted to the right, but new elements are shifting play. Calafiori began stepping forward against Leeds and Liverpool, while Rice drifted left to support buildup. Week 4 added Eze, who connected well with Gyökeres and delivered an assist from the left. The left side is no longer just a supporting channel; it is developing into a secondary progression route that adds balance.
Madueke reshaping the right
Madueke’s involvement since Week 3 has adjusted the rhythm of the right flank. Unlike Saka’s blend of combination play and cut-backs, Madueke drives at defenders with direct carries and higher dribble volume. Against Liverpool, he produced a big chance and forced Alisson into a save. Against Forest, he recorded nine deep completions, six box entries, and the highest passing Goal Probability Added in the side. His profile adds verticality, even if end product consistency is still developing.
Rice and Zubimendi expanding output
The pivot has grown in influence. Rice started with a stabilising role against United but evolved into a chance creator against Leeds, posting the highest GPA in that match. At Anfield, he alternated with Zubimendi in the deep pivot to disrupt Liverpool’s press. Week 4 saw Zubimendi step forward to score twice, showing he can add goals to his control. Together, they provide both security and, increasingly, direct attacking value.
Gyökeres finding rhythm
The striker’s integration has progressed steadily. Isolated in Week 1, he struggled for touches. By Week 2, he earned and converted a penalty and scored again late, showing more penalty-box presence. Week 4 against Forest was his most rounded display yet: four shots worth 0.8 xG, smart movement across the front line, and a goal. Service and timing are beginning to align with his profile.
Depth pieces influencing outcomes
Rotation options are no longer theoretical. Youth minutes in Week 2 tightened central networks. Mosquera covered for Saliba in Week 3 with composure. Week 4 saw Eze start and assist, Madueke contribute chance creation, and Nwaneri provide steady relief minutes. Depth has moved from contingency planning to match impact.
Concerning Trends
Central chance creation bottleneck
Across four matches, Arsenal have struggled to generate volume from central attacking zones. Zone 14 and central combinations have produced limited expected assists, even when possession and territory were strong. At Anfield, this meant just 0.4 xG from open play. Against Forest, chance creation was higher, but much of it still came from wide service, set plays, or late runs rather than central combinations. Without a sharper central supply, elite opponents can crowd wide zones to blunt Arsenal’s attack.
Creative dependence when leaders are absent
When Saka and Ødegaard were missing at Anfield, chance quality dipped. Against Forest, Ødegaard’s early injury again shifted the creative burden. Madueke, Eze, and Zubimendi contributed, but the most refined attacking movements remain tied to Arsenal’s established leaders. Until the new signings settle further, the team’s peak output will remain reliant on those profiles.
Wing duels in tight matches
At Old Trafford and Anfield, wide ground duels were a limiting factor. Arsenal’s 1v1 win rate was poor at United and patchy against Liverpool. In matches where few openings emerge, failing to win wing duels can suffocate attacking patterns. Forest did not exploit this, but stronger opposition will.
Finishing margins and variance
The Leeds scoreline flattered chance quality, with five goals from ~2.9 xG. By contrast, Weeks 1 and 3 produced low shot counts and narrow margins. If finishing regresses toward average while volume remains modest against strong opponents, Arsenal risk matches being decided by single moments, as happened at Anfield.
Reinforced Positives
Low xGA across contexts
Manchester United were limited to poor central looks. Leeds created nothing of value. Liverpool produced minimal open-play threat, with the decisive moment a world-class free kick. Forest were contained to scraps. Across four matches, Arsenal’s expected goals against has been consistently low, a sign of structural security.
Pressing triggers producing outcomes
Pressing patterns have been varied but effective. Arsenal pressed in phases against United, pushed higher against Leeds, and recorded 11 high turnovers against Forest, two of which produced shots. The ability to adjust pressing intensity to match context has become a repeatable tool.
Full-back asymmetry as a principle
The asymmetry between the advancing full-back and the balanced partner has carried through all four matches. White or Timber push forward on the right, Calafiori holds or advances selectively on the left. This pattern has become an organising principle that gives Arsenal balance in buildup and progression.
New signings expanding the ceiling
Madueke, Eze, Gyökeres, Zubimendi, and Calafiori have each added dimensions. Madueke brings dribbling and set-piece delivery. Eze connects on the left and assists from open play. Gyökeres is now receiving service and converting. Zubimendi offers both control and goal threat. Calafiori has balanced progression. Their collective influence suggests Arsenal now have multiple attacking routes.
Conclusion
After four weeks, Arsenal look structurally secure and increasingly varied. The right side remains the anchor, but the left is contributing more through Calafiori and Eze. Gyökeres is finding rhythm, Zubimendi is adding goals, and Madueke has shown he can carry responsibility in Saka’s absence. Defensively, the system is robust, with Gabriel steady alongside either Saliba or Mosquera. The main concerns lie in central chance creation and reliance on key creative leaders when unavailable.
The overall trajectory is one of stability plus expansion. Arsenal can already manage territory and defend their box at a high level. The next step is to translate that control into central incision against elite opponents. If new connections mature as quickly as early signs suggest, Arsenal’s attacking variety will grow, reducing reliance on single profiles and sharpening their cutting edge.
