Title Back On? Arsenal 5-0 Chelsea Tactical Analysis: Arteta answers Pochettino's mid-block + more

In today's video I provide an in-depth tactical analysis on Arsenal's 5-0 win over Chelsea on Tuesday evening. Arteta and Arsenal extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to three points, with Liverpool playing on Wednesday, and four points clear of Manchester City, who now have two games in hand. In the video I cover:
- Mauricio Pochetinno and Chelsea's Distanced Build-Up and Sub-Par Mid-Block
- Arsenal's improvements vs the mid-block, including the return of Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard and his mental switch, Kai Havertz and his freedom to move
- How to break down a mid block? Runners, Passers, and the tenacious type who is 'able to scrap for it'--what do I mean? Well, I hope this video is a more nuanced analysis of how to break down a mid-block.
- Arteta's platforming of Odegaard: drifting central and left more with the inclusion of Partey; becoming part of Arsenal's responsibility-fluid build-up
- Arteta's platforming of Havertz: lateral and vertical movements to stretch, drag, and create space; how he improves his finishing levels; his role at CF
-- Arsenal's hybrid press once again succeeding
Arsenal got off to a fast start when Leandro Trossard made it 1-0 thanks to some neat combination play from Havertz and Partey, finding Rice who drove into the Chelsea box to release Trossard.
Arsenal made it 2-0 after the break with Ben White getting his first of 2 goals (5-0). In between these strikes, Kai Havertz haunted his former club to bag a brace with two finely taken finishes. Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard also provided assists, in what looked a very balanced Arsenal team.
The Gunners also collected another Premier League clean sheet, making it 14 for David Raya in goal, with the duo of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba imperious once again. Takehiro Tomiyasu looked to bulletproof Arsenal's transitional defense against Chelsea's fast and direct plan, with Nicolas Jackson, Mykhaylo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, and Connor Gallagher looking to outlet for the blues. Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi had trouble picking up the Arsenal's attackers' movements, with Cucurella having a fierce battle with Bukayo Saka and Alfie Gilchrist struggling vs Trossard. Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez struggled in deeper midfield once again, as Chelsea stay ninth and Arsenal go to the top of the premier league on match day 34.
This channel covers the entire world of football or soccer including the whole Premier League, Manchester City and Pep Guardiola, Manchester United and Eric Ten Hag, Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp, Aston Villa and Unai Emery, Brighton and Hove Albion and Roberto De Zerbi, the Europa League, Champions League, and so much more!

[@jamesajayi9857]

Hurray🎉 Harvey's back with a bang analysis. Mercy Boku le professor😂

[@harveygration]

Thanks again❤️

[@hs1626]

small point - a few too many transitions which makes it hard to follow the screenshots of the matchplay. Especially that morph circular one... oofff, really makes it tough to track things, which detracts from your top tier analysis! Just some food for thought from a fan of your work lad.

[@harveygration]

Thanks mate! I promise as soon as my uni work is finished (currently sitting at my desk working which is why the video today was more rushed than I would have liked) on May 2nd the presentation of these videos is LEVELLING UP. I truly really appreciate the support and the comments❤️

[@hs1626]

@@harveygration keep it up and you’ll be flying mate! Quality will out and you’re top draw!

[@Khannonball]

As a designer, keep it simple, fade in fade our. Clean simple fonts, lato, Ariel. Can put a block of colour/white behind the text too Great work, as always. And hope uni goes well

[@ebrimasanneh2291]

Just sublime in your analysis Harvey!

[@harveygration]

Thanks so much!!!

[@stefanonaeasdasdasda]

Congrats on taking my point about the mic gain. Your audio quality massively improved 👌🏼

[@harveygration]

🙏🙏

[@ultraprogamerprogamer8090]

great analysis keep it up 👍👍👍

[@harveygration]

❤️

[@Khannonball]

Great analysis! What may help you if you're strapped for time is a presentation-style delivery. Where you have slides ala Charles Watts, Tom Canton and FK (latte firm). You need a lovely template and use those screenshots and the presentation pointer to deliver it. It will save you editing time, and it will allow us more time to look at your screenshots/points that you make, as they disappear very quickly, as I have to rewind to pause and see.

[@harveygration]

Very helpful. Will use this for sure. And thanks so much!

[@lucasclahar1971]

Another fantastic analysis. The only thing I struggle to understand in your video is some of the vocabulary you use such as "half spaces" and "shadow marking". Perhaps I need to watch some of your older videos, but I think a more visual demonstration of your analyses would be useful in visualising how these things play out. Keep up the great content

[@holymoly2422]

The best way to describe a”half space “ type in KDB assist to Leroy Sane on KZbin where he passes the ball from is a half space another example on the other side is odegaard assist to trossard against Porto in the UCL that’s another pass from a “half space”

[@holymoly2422]

Shadow marking is basically when you press you cover the players directly in your shadow behind you that means your blocking a pass to them without actually standing on them marking them

[@lucasclahar1971]

@@holymoly2422 appreciate it thanks for explaining

[@TheSealDribble]

Easily the best gooner tactics channel on yt!

[@harveygration]

Thanks so much! Truly appreciated ❤️

[@TBG968]

Great vid Harv,what a win & performance. Havertz has serious potential to explode as a CF,can run both channels has no angle bias,smart movement and good linkup play,if he adds more conviction at times in his shooting he could be more dangerous then he already is. I think the introduction of partey was brilliant,you can’t help to think where we would be if partey & timber would’ve been available all season think the league would’ve been wrapped up. Oddegard is becoming that game changer for us,maybe something we look at for next season,him as a lcm.i don’t feel he should “run” the attack per say.But the verticality he gets from the left suits him. On spurs if we win this game,I think we’ll go onto winning the league,I feel city will drop points in at-least one game,we need to win all 6.Martinelli kinda game with the high line but can you drop trossard in this form?Only dilemma in my opinion. Big up

[@harveygration]

Agreed!!! Spurs game (if a win) could be season defining. Think there are loads of new possible solutions re Odegaard next season: buying a new LCM and using the pendulum 8s w Rice back in the 6 (one of these 8s could be an inverted full back in the 3-diamond-3; or Arteta could just become more flexible with player usage. There has definitely been a change in Ode mentally but he is never going to be a large space creator as incredible as he is. To think Kai is only 24 is really nice too-grow into your frame a bit more and ball striking goes up, also as I said just shooting quicker!! Mikel hopefully is slowly getting there but he’s got levels to go up in his squad management!

[@briangama6057]

I'm curious. What makes y'all so confident that Citeh will drop points?

[@TBG968]

@@briangama6057 because they’ve dropped points in atleast one game in every title run in

[@mrileeks]

Visuals and analysis have gone up a notch already from the earlier days of mostly talking. Kudos! Looking forward to the next step up post-May 2. Love that you're big on feedback in the comments section!

[@harveygration]

❤️❤️❤️

[@DUBSDADEVILL]

Great video

[@harveygration]

Very kind of you, thanks 🙏

[@rudiedan11]

Much love from Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹 🇹🇹

[@harveygration]

❤️

[@dontworryaboutit7162]

Another brilliant video mate. How do you think spurs will setup against us on sunday now that udogie is injuried? Reckon they could be more pragmatic or?

[@harveygration]

Thanks so much mate-Ange won’t change plan

[@emmanuelkimeli9397]

Bro you are the best 🇰🇪🇰🇪

[@coolerdude42]

Your delivery is much better, easy to follow now! Good analysis once again. Some small notes this time (some other commenters made similar notes already): 1. The transitions were really tough on the eyes. Same with presentations, simpler the better. 2. Listening to you and reading text (that isnt matched to what you saying) at the same time is difficult to do. The slide already changes before I get to finish. Not just a timing issue, but the text needs to accentuate the current point you're making. Less text the better actually. 3. In those screens of players on the field, I'd suggest highlighting the players you're referring to. Then draw arrows, spaces, etc. Make the screen visual, we can then fill the picture with your words. Good luck on your dissertation!

[@harveygration]

Thanks again man. If you’ll allow me for this video because of the rushed content with having so much work on the side. But, the presentation of my points is about to take a massive step up once these finish. Visuals et all. That’s my next point to work on. All your points are still absolutely spot on though, and I talk them on board once again 🙏

[@DhavalPateldp]

feel like its more rushed, when you pick a point i.e. 5 v 4 would be nice to see it drawn out and maybe show a little clip and freeze how it porgressed using that

[@harveygration]

It probably does this video sorry! I’ve been working vs time on this one because I’m currently sat at my desk working on my dissertation too! When my uni work is done and dusted (may 2) the information I present is going to go up a notch in terms of presentation. I promise!

[@ceetee1881]

Great analysis thanks - what do you think Arteta’s half time talk was about ?

[@harveygration]

Probably temperament on the ball, try and set out structure a bit more in the final third (set the Ode-Saka-White trio more regularly) and continue to be proactive on the jumps in midfield. Just sustain pressure a bit more in general probably. Thanks as well!

[@ceetee1881]

@@harveygration I think we slowed down a touch were less frantic and this gave us the control to score. I think it was one of his most impactful half time talks but I could be wrong

[@remy7663]

good vid

[@harveygration]

Thanks remy!

[@terryfoley7725]

Awesome analysis, as usual, Harvey. To my mind, Partey's presence allowed Odegaard and Rice to be their best selves. Assuming Partey's leaving, and regardless of this, considering his fitness issues, who do you think we should target to replace him?

[@harveygration]

We need a legs upgrade and to cover his (and maybe Jorginho’s) passing-which won’t be cheap. Progression is expensive as it comes, which is why we may have to spread it across two players. An Onana type to bulletproof OOP (also has a ceiling to tap into on the ball) and a true passer type that can carry too

[@terryfoley7725]

Thanks a lot for the reply. I've been watching Onana, but, while I haven't seen a lot from him, he is young. I trust Arteta.

[@deludedgooner]

MY BOY

[@harveygration]

🤛❤️

[@danbar97]

Would love to hear your thoughts on whether Kai Havertz is a good enough forward for next season

[@harveygration]

Superstar forward is the LT upgrade (not necessarily for Kai though); but, this summer the midfield is the priority: needs to be bulletproofed from a legs POV and a technical killer needs to be added that can carry, create in large space situations etc

[@mi318s]

​@@harveygrationdo you prefer Rice to sit deep and cover or to roam and press freely forward? And who's on your mind to this midfield upgrade (I assume to complete Rice and Odegaard)?

[@harveygration]

Long term Mikel will see him as a deeper fit for sure. Kimmich, De Jong, Luiz, Jaoa Neves, Onana (or a similar destroyer and some eater on top of the aforementioned to bulletproof athletic levels). Still really like Eze as I’ve always said. More maverick in terms of fit but would love him

[@harveygration]

Plus Youssouf Fofana as well. Lots of options but we should go for FDJ first

[@Best_game59]

Please analyze the midblock more in later videos because Arsenal has seemed to struggle against midblock sides like Porto, Aston Villa, Bayern Munich, Fulham, Chelsea away game etc, how come we were good against Chelsea 's midblock? Has Arteta cracked the midblock?

[@harveygration]

Not quite-but it’s much better. Still need to play more switches, overload + isolate, gather more large space creators and runners. Also a bit is to do with fatigue and there is quite a lot of heavy mental that goes into breaking down a good mid block. Timber will help again-creating more dynamic opportunities via carrying and line-breakers. Might do a more detailed video for how any team can break down a mid block in May though!

[@heringeno2126]

Fantastic video! Just one query, assuming Ødegaard makes his shift to the LHS, how is his position in the starting XI affected once we buy a proper LCM, unlike Bernardo Silva, I feel Ødegaard doesn’t have such positional versatility

[@harveygration]

It’s all kind of up in the air at the moment. To be honest, his role at the moment is absolutely fine. He’s being given more freedom and it’s really nit picking (which you have to do at the elite level) because there are more pronounced things that need attending to. Ultimately though, the system is phenomenal. Best out there. Just need to sprinkle in a bit more individual bias in certain places, but hard to do this across the board. We will definitely be getting a midfielder (hopefully two) in the summer to cover legs + passing, and this will give a better indication of things. But Rice in the 6, and the pendulum 8s either side is looking a really nice option going into next season. One of these could be an inverting fullback into the 3-diamond-3 as well. Lots of options. Let’s see!

[@Best_game59]

​@@harveygrationI don't fancy Rice as a six because of his lack of 360 turn to evade press and his limited line breaking passes that limit him to be a sideways pass merchant...what is your take?

[@heringeno2126]

⁠@@Best_game59I think he’s perfect as a 6 due to his cautious nature and I actually believe he’s quite press resistant, if you want to take some risks going forward I think a proper #8 with great passing range will do the line breaking passes (FDJ, Joao Neves, Kimmich)

[@Best_game59]

@@heringeno2126 Caution is great when trying to stop transitions but it hinders progressing the ball. You can be cautious but also great in resisting press and providing line breaking passes like Partey in his prime pomp. RIce was predominantly our six early on in the season and we struggled to create and score especially when Zinchenko was injured but all that changed after new year when Arteta started deploying Jorghinho in the 6 and Rice as 8 or double pivot, other times Ben White was inverting to midfield and Odegaard dropping deep to progress play because Rice couldn't do it to the highest level

[@heringeno2126]

@@Best_game59 I see where you’re coming from, but if you have a more defensively secure #8, Rice is allowed to use his most progressive ability which is his carrying without having to worry too much about defending, and whilst Partey is still better at the line breaking passes, Rice is still in the 93rd percentile in progressive passes, so it’s a matter of balance I think

[@holymoly2422]

Do you think we might have solved our mid block issue I do hope so great video as usual Harvey 👍

[@makei89]

No, they are not implementing correctly, we still have issue with midblock

[@holymoly2422]

@@makei89 very true but the signs are there hopefully we can get it right

[@ryanfinnerty6239]

A good mid block will always be difficult to break down, the best ways are clever line-breaking midfielders/defenders (Partey x Zinchenko x Jorginho) and manipulating space between the lines by some forwards making runs in behind with others dropping in short. (Wingers coming inside, striker long; wingers long, striker coming short)

[@harveygration]

In short no, we can still switch more, overload and isolate, as well as integrate a better balance of big space creators. Timber’s central progression will be another massive help. We’ve got internal solutions, just need a bit better squad usage on top of the above. It’s not an impenetrable block for us. And we are (hopefully) getting there as Chelsea (hopefully) showed

[@jacominaar5852]

harvey do you fancy arsenal to beat ange and spurs and also do u think arsenal are the best team in the league and a generational side?

[@harveygration]

It’s an interesting one. Firstly, for Arsenal, we are in a league with multiple 100-point challenging teams, but the competitiveness of the league obviously means that isn’t possible. It’s part of the reason I would have rather us won the league than the UCL (still gutted about it though): because for Arteta to win a league vs a Pep dynasty and the only other manager who has given him trouble in a league season would be legacy stuff. As for generational, we need to win stuff first. Then onto spurs: think their 14 day break could work either way. Could be out of rhythm but very refreshed so will see in the first 5/10. I want us to go there HUNTING. Play a technically mature side, with proper LCM/Dm, Kai CF or Leo at very least. If we rest well it’s ours to lose. Win on Sunday and title is well and truly back on

[@jacominaar5852]

harvey do u think liverpool are not as good as city and arsenal?

[@harveygration]

Been my stance the whole season. Predicted them to come 3rd and barring any capitulations from others that looks likely where they’ll end up. I’ll probably do a video on them in May when I’m freer

[@charles9489]

Where was the analysis after the Villa and bayern defeat?

[@harveygration]

I’ve got 3 unedited recordings (one for Bayern Home, one for Villa Home, and the other on Jurrien Timber); however, respectfully, I just don’t have time to edit them at the moment. I have just over a week left of my university degree, and then I’m all yours.

[@copacabana8332]

Better than skysport pundits

[@harveygration]

Thank you! Too kind ❤️🙏