Arsenal’s High Press: Analyzing its Implementation in Preseason and Potential Success
Arsenal just finished their last preseason game under their new head coach, Unai Emery, this past weekend. Before the start of the season, in a press conference held by Emery, he mentioned a few philosophies that he wants to integrate into the Arsenal squad. The philosophies Emery mentioned were: high-work ethic, high press, and always being tactically prepared for games.
After watching and analyzing the preseason games Arsenal have played, I already see these philosophies being accepted and slowly expressed in the Arsenal squad. I know these are only preseason games so I am taking what I have seen with a grain of salt. However, this has been a breath of fresh air after being in the Wenger era where the squad, in some games, didn’t seem tactically prepared whatsoever.
One of Emery’s philosophies that has me very excited for the upcoming season is the idea of a high-press. As a former defender, nothing was more frustrating than playing against teams that implemented a high-press. It results in the defender constantly under pressure and feeling uncomfortable. That defender has to play very carefully because any mistake made could result in a counterattack being started in one’s own half. If carried out effectively, a high press can result in a turnover in the opposition’s half or the opposition just aimlessly booting the ball down the field because that is the only option available — both positives for the team using the high press.
Looking at Arsenal’s squad, players like Aubameyang, Lacazette, Ozil, Mkhitaryan, and Ramsey are perfect for the high press. All these players are extremely hard working and are lethal on the counterattack. Mkhitaryan and Ozil’s ability to pick out players with passes, Ramsey’s ability to make dangerous runs, and clinical nature of Lacazette and Aubameyang as strikers make Arsenal fan’s mouth water just thinking about these group of players leading the attack. I recognize all these players won’t all be on the field at the same time, but regardless of the players chosen for the squad, whatever group is on the field will pose a dangerous threat to any team’s defense.
Another benefit of a high press is that it keeps the ball out of one’s half which potentially reduces the chance of mistakes being made in the crucial part of the field — a team’s defensive third. However, in order for this to actually work, the team must work very hard and be tactically disciplined. If a player or players don’t work hard under this system, and the opposition can pass the ball decently, the press becomes ineffective and one’s team can be broken down easily by simple passes.
If a team implementing a high press isn’t tactically disciplined in keeping their shape, players can be caught out of position, leaving the defense susceptible. It could potentially result in the opposition dribbling straight at one’s defense and cutting it apart with a simple through-ball.
The negatives of a high press just addressed are something I do worry about with Arsenal. If you have followed Arsenal the past few seasons, you will know that their weak point in the team has been defense. Arsenal have been constantly caught making mental mistakes and being easily broken down at times. The high press requires defenders to not be error-prone and read the game very well — something I think Arsenal currently lacks with some of their defenders.
Currently, Mustafi, Sokratis, Bellerin, and Maitland-Niles are probably going to start this weekend. Excluding Sokratis, who wasn’t with Arsenal, and Maitland-Niles, the aforementioned had a pretty terrible season last year. They were inconsistent, constantly caught out of position, and made numerous mistakes that led to goals. Furthermore, Cech, who will also probably start this weekend, was also terrible last season as well which doesn’t really help to instill confidence into the back four. However, I remain optimistic that it will get worked out somehow under Emery, but if it doesn’t, the game against Manchester City will get ugly.
All in all, I have been satisfied with the high press applied by the Arsenal squad this preseason. It by no means is perfect, but I can already see the positive effects that using it can bring. Emery will continue to tinker with the press in training and hopefully it will be carried out effectively by Arsenal on opening day against Manchester City.
