Though they were picking results, Arsenal were criticized for depending on last season’s tactics, playing with two No. 8s, a tactical move that many observed wasn’t working as well as it did last season. They were inefficient in the system because they missed the key to it, Granit Xhaka, whose shoes have been hard to fill.
If you’ve been paying attention, Arteta appears to have found the perfect tactical play for his team. He has found a way to bring out the best in Kai Havertz, who had previously struggled to play the left-sided No. 8 role; he has also helped Martin Odegaard find his form with the switch to a deeper role. Odegaard was initially finding it difficult to be as influential as he used to be as the right-sided No. 8 without Xhaka (injuries—a hip injury and a heavy concussion—also contributed to his drop in form).
When Arsenal press (as was the case against Brighton), they switch to a 4-4-2 formation. Havertz joins Gabriel Jesus up top, while Odegaard moves to play alongside Declan Rice in central midfield.
This move sees Havertz channel his attacking impulses to assist Jesus in tormenting opponents and taking advantage of their mistakes. For Odegaard, this move allows him to dictate play from center midfield while moving to link play with the attack. This tactical approach makes it difficult for opponents to man-mark Odegaard since an opposition player finds himself out of possession while tracking the Norwegian when he has drifted to central midfield, allowing Jesus and Havertz to use the space that player leaves behind.
Odegaard appears to be back to his best, and Havertz is beginning to show his worth. Mikel Arteta is an absolute tactical genius, and what a coach he is!
Sam P
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Yes we have all been pleased with his improvement. His running into the goal area has improved but we need more of this on a regular basis. The only part of his game that is a little frustrating is his decision to pass backwards when there is space ahead of him for him to turn and run with the ball. Not sure if this is down to confidence or awareness, but let’s hope that part of his game improves and hope that he makes the goal area runs more often, but he is improving as you have stated in your article, which is great news and not just making up the numbers and doing nothing.
Karl Havertz fitting well into the departed Grant Xhaka’s playing role in the Gunners team may it continues to work and flourish to a great height for Arsenal in their quest to win the treble this season. And with him knocking in more and more goals decisively to win matches for Arsenal throughput the season campaign.
Havertz is not fiting in the Xakha role he’s a player utterly différent from Granit:more offensive minded with an eye for a goal,not the same attributs as GX.The one playing the Xakha role is Declan Rice who has the same profil as the swiss and ,i must say,better than the swiss which i Always admired
Xhaka scored 9 goals last season and was transformed mid season onwards into a more offensive player, rather than defensive.
Havertz is no comparison to Xhaka, that’s just wishful thinking.
I beg to differ, GX had one great season with us, KH is already having a great season with us in his first year. It took the lad 3 months to settle down, now he is showing his true Leverkusen colors. A big thank you to Mikel the magician on the Man with the Midas Touch or Mikel the Matador – call him what you like, he has “Made Arsenal Great Again”