How to beat Arsenal?

The best form of defence is attack - Karl von Clausewitz

The way to beat a team is obviously to outscore them, but how do you outscore a team that prides in their possession play and high chance creation? Primarily, attempting to keep a clean sheet against the Gunners, especially at the Emirates, has proven to be a difficult task, but was achieved by Manchester City, Everton and Swansea last season (2012/2013). These three teams, however, all play a similar possession style, so appeared to cancel out the Wenger tactic dominance. Most teams admit that the creativity and vision of Arsenals attack-minded players is sufficient to score at least one goal so the safest way to secure the three points against Arsenal is to outscore them. Southampton (Lost 6-1), Tottenham (Lost 5-2), West Ham (Lost 4-1) and Newcastle (Lost 7-3) all appeared to try and attack at the Emirates, and despite all scoring, all lost by three goals or more! A balance of defending deep with fast wing-backs and playing direct balls (whilst attacking) into the space behind the Arsenal defence utilising quick wingers has proven to be the best method in attempting to beat Arsenal. Bring on the first game of the season, home to Aston Villa, a team whose aggregate at Arsenal only 10-6 over the previous six seasons. Within this time, the Gunners only managed three wins, losing twice. This is quite an impressive record, considering the Villans have finished just outside the relegation zone in the two seasons. The pace of Agbonlahor and Weimann out wide with a clinical Benteke in the

middle proved too much for Arsne Wengers side at home losing 3-1. The defensive frailties shown by Koscielny and Szczsny were the fundamental reason to their downfall as they both conceded penalties. If we look at how successful long balls (direct passes) were in the ninety minutes, Arsenal were only successful with ten of twenty five long passes, whilst Aston Villa, despite being largely inaccurate in the first half (six of twenty six), were able to connect with thirteen of twenty six long balls in the second half (including one assist and two shot assists). What good are long balls without a big target man? The Villans have the sublime Christian Benteke and despite his poor passing through the middle, he was extremely influential in the victory scoring twice and laying on three shots on goal. The creation to the striker is also essential in creating goal scoring opportunities and the nifty ball winning and passes out wide by Fabian Delph helped secure the three points at the Emirates. Arsenals style often relies on the short passes in the middle waiting for the opportunity to create a goal scoring chance. Wilshere and Ramsey were able to complete forty four passes to one-another, but were completely unable to get

the ball into the box with their trademark short passes or desperate long passes. Preventing the creative players from completing successful passes is another key feature in defeating the once unbeatable (2003/2004 season Won 26, Drawn 12).

Away from home Arsenal didnt manage a goal at neither Aston Villa nor Norwich, which can be explained by Aston Villas pacey team and counter-attacking style and Norwichs solid form and defensive positioning at the time at home. The Gunners top scorer Giroud has also found playing away outside London a difficulty as all his fourteen League goals have come within the capital twelve being home goals. When facing Arsenal preventing their fast wide players getting the ball into the box with drilled crosses, cut backs and hanging back-post balls is obligatory to limiting the damage. Fulham, who lost 3-1 at home to Arsenal let nine of the eighteen attempted crosses into dangerous areas, only blocking one, whilst Aston Villa and Tottenham only let seven crosses, in and around the box, between them blocking five of them.