 How
Arsenal Can Win
The Ranter
Tactical Conundrum Will Decide Paris Final Arsene Wenger
says that fans will see "the real Arsenal" in the May
17th Champions League final. For many supporters this may be a welcome
promise, coming after the London side has battled their way through
the tournament with some very un-Arsenal like performances and conservative
tactics.
However, if Wenger is suggesting that he'll adapt his European
tactics, returning to the open attacking football of the Premiership
it could be the biggest error of his career. Make no mistake, to
abandon a successful 4-5-1 system in the final against Barcelona,
the continent's most attacking side, would be the equivalent of
footballing suicide.
But it is not about Wenger's side defending for 90 minutes, although
there has always been something of a myth about Arsenal's style.
Indeed, under pressure Wenger has often abandoned his attacking
principals in favour of packing the midfield and seeking out a draw.
Witness Arsenal's 'unbeaten' season in 2003-4, where 12 Premiership
draws took them to the title. It is these relatively negative tactics
that could lead to Thierry Henry lifting 'old big ears' on May 17th,
against all expectations.
How the Gunners can beat Barcelona:
 Squeeze
the back four Under Wenger Arsenal has often played with full-backs
pushed high up the pitch providing an attacking outlet and an extra
man in wide areas (Fig. 1, above right). In the modern era 4-4-2,
which Wenger employs to great effect, full-backs are often the players
with most time on the ball - meaning they have to be mobile, quick
and technically gifted. In Lauren and Ashley Cole Wenger has been
able to deploy two such full-backs.
Under this system the central defensive partnership is often deployed
two-on-two with the opposition forwards. Players must be quick and
good in those personal battles. In Campbell or Senderos and Kolo
Toure Wenger also has had two such players.
It all changed this year, however, with Cole, Campbell and Lauren
all suffering long-term injuries. With inexperienced back-up Wenger
has been forced to change his tactics, playing a slightly narrower,
deeper back four (Fig.2, at left). It is this system that has served
him so well in European football.
Barcelona don't deploy traditional wingers, with Ronaldinho and
Messi playing from out to in, rather than hugging the touchline.
The majority of Barcelona's goals are worked through gaps in the
opposition defensive unit, rather than from crosses - the tactic
that took Manchester United to victory in 1999. But this offers
Arsenal the opportunity to counter by bringing the full backs in-field,
narrowing the space in which Barcelona have to play around the 18
yard area, and negating the Catalan's style.
Negate Marquez' effectiveness
 Although
Ronaldinho, Messi, Giuly and Eto'o have caused the damage in this
year's Champions League it is Rafael Marquez, the former defender,
at the base of the midfield that instigates the majority of Barcelona's
play. By deploying a midfielder to effectively man-mark Marquez,
Arsenal can reduce the supply into attacking areas (Fig.4, at right).
The London side successfully deployed this tactic against Villareal
in the semi-final, using Fredrick Ljungberg to negate the amount
of time Senna had on the ball and killing the supply line to Juan
Roman Riquelme.
Use the channels
Although Arsenal rarely deploys traditional wingers they must put
pressure on Belletti and van Bronkhorst, the Barcelona full-backs.
Wenger's Champions League system reduces the ability for Henry to
use the channels as Arsenal needs an attacking outlet at times.
Against Villareal the Londoners were unable to keep possession in
forward areas for this very reason. However, the Londoners could
benefit from pushing Pires, Hleb or Ljungberg wider than normal,
using the full width of the Stade de France pitch (Fig.3, below
left). This will occupy Barcelona's full-backs cutting off another
supply line to Ronaldinho, and Messi or Giuly.
Give Gilberto the ball
Gilberto Silva is not the most talented Brazilian footballer, nor
the most aggressive defensive player, but in Paris he is likely
to see lots of the ball. Arsenal must use the space between their
own back four and midfield to dictate the pace and style of play
through Gilberto. The rhythm he sets will decide whether Arsenal
is able to impose their game on Barcelona or whether they'll need
to defend for 90 minutes.
 Go
for Senderos, Not Campbell
Campbell has been one of the finest English defenders for a decade
but injuries are now beginning to take their toll as he approaches
the autumn of his career. Campbell's great assets - his pace and
strength - could be irrelevant against Barcelona in the final, however.
Although Barcelona's lone striker, Eto'o, is quick it is mobility
and positional sense that are required in and around the penalty
area against the Catalan's. Throughout his career Campbell has found
himself in poor defensive positions only to be able to recover using
his pace. That is no longer the case. Furthermore, the big defender's
other major weakness - his distribution - will become a liability
in a game where possession will be king.
How Barcelona can beat Arsenal
Be themselves. That's it.
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