Arsenal’s Methodical Approach to Dispatching Parked Buses

If you read the papers or even go on some initial reactions you would suppose that Arsenal found it hard to operate against Tony Pulis’ Crystal Palace defense yesterday. As a matter of fact I saw many comments that called the first half awful.

While everyone is entitled to their opinion, awful was what we saw on display on Tuesday night in the first half against Southampton. What we’ve seen and are seeing at the Emirates in my opinion is a tactical approach by the team to address teams that we know will come in and put 10 men behind the ball.

I would agree with the sentiment that this display was “awful” on some level if the approach hasn’t been seen over and over again in this impressive home run Arsenal have been on.

The tactical approach is simple. Knowing that the opposition are going to sit back and try and absorb the Arsenal pressure, we try small probing passes in and around the final third. Smart runs are attempted but if its snuffed out we are more than happy to control the ball, looking for the odd mistake to unlock the defense. In yesterday’s match it was evident in the chance we got in the first half with Monreal’s volley into the Palace keeper’s groin.

It was a well-timed run with a looping ball over the top. It didn’t work so Arsenal went back to the drawing board. Fans were frustrated of course by 0-0 score line at half. The thought is with this much talent (not as much as City mind you) they should be scoring more. But there is definitely a method in the team’s madness.

The methodical approach is twofold as best I can tell. First, the opposition are more than happy to allow Arsenal to pass the ball around. However, what can wind up happening is that players ball watch rather than take their player responsibilities. Evidence was the first goal where most players were intent to focus in on Santi Cazorla with the ball and Olivier Giroud’s presence (making a smart run of his own and attracting defenders) and lost track of Oxlade-Chamberlain who slipped behind Chamakh and the rest of the Palace defense to get that first goal.

The other option is that Arsenal simply tire out their opposition, who continually chase the ball hoping to cut off passing lanes and deny chances. In the last home match against Fulham it was just this that created both of Santi’s goals (as well as his fantastic ball skills) and the chances that came with the introduction of Podolski.

We used to emphatically cry that Arsenal had no answer for these types of defenses. In the past we would be frustrated by a draw or at worst the frustration the players experienced on the pitch would lead to a mental let down in the waning moments of the match.

Of course the adage goes one person’s delusion is another person’s reasoned approach. And I am sure some will say that this isn’t an approach but just pure dumb luck on Arsenal’s part. Again I could see some merit in that argument if it weren’t such a common occurrence now.

In the last 5 home league matches Arsenal have not scored a goal in the first half. Those teams, Palace, Fulham, Cardiff, Chelsea and Southampton came with the mindset of holding the line and hitting their chances on a counter. Southampton though did come to play – sort of. As you look over the matches at the Emirates the emerging pattern is of a team that knows it will get the goals it needs and isn’t panicking as we’ve seen in years past. This trend emerged in the impressive run to close out the season last year and continues through almost 2/3 of this season.

We’ve always been told that the mark of winning teams is finding those goals when it needs to. Arsenal have done this time after time in the majority of its matches. When they get that first goal, they know the game is going to open up. They expect the opposition then to attack and likely get some chances, the goal then becomes for them to get that second goal and put the match away. This Arsenal squad seems to know when it needs to do that.

This isn’t to say that they don’t have their off days and in some of those off days they are for the most part finding ways to win. But when you see a pattern like this develop it’s hard to dismiss it as anything other than a tactic the club are employing.

Sure it could be better improved. I am sure that the club could put the game away earlier if they made more of those smart probing runs in the first half count. Yesterday’s match saw the likes of Oxlade-Chamberlain offer a directness in the probing that isn’t always evident. It’s not always necessary but it does add to the strain a defending team have to endure.

Our game is set up to get the best out of runs from midfield (hence the 32 goals) and this tactical approach is about seeing a lot of the ball but not penetrating much so our midfield runners aren’t picked up as easily as the opposition gets lazy thinking we are just passing without product. Additionally, it’s not a tactic that is dependent on speed to be effective. It’s why I think we haven’t missed Theo all that much. With controlling the ball so much lack of speed isn’t the issue. What we just need to do more of is the probing, direct runs that force a team further back into the 18.

Of course against a team like City who is going to let us play but can do their own damage a different tactic has to be employed – the high pressing type comes to mind. But that’s for a different discussion.

Right now, I am enjoying what I am seeing on display at home. We’re doing what we need to do to maintain a title chase. Contrary to frustrated fans everywhere this is a thought out tactical plan not some tedious affair that we get lucky getting a goal or two with.