Arsenal’s form is quite good at the moment, as the Gunners remain at the top of the Premier League table. They have also won the first leg of the EFL Cup against Chelsea, which makes them favourites to win multiple titles this season.
Arsenal’s form has kept them in contention for the titles in all four competitions so far. Most of the teams facing them wonder as to what strategy can be employed to stop their winning run. However, employing a mid-press against them could prove to be helpful.
How Mid-Press by the Opposition Be Helpful Against Arsenal’s Form?
Arsenal typically play with a 4-2-3-1 formation, which often becomes a 4-3-3, with Declan Rice pushing forward and Martin Zubimendi being the lone midfielder that stays behind. Rice often attacks through the inside-left channel, and Martin Odegaard through the inside-right. Rice and Odegaard already have six goals and nine assists between them this season.
Arsenal’s attacks are typically right-heavy, which allows Rice to venture forward through the middle or the inside-left to get into the opposition penalty box and take shots at the goal. He scored a couple of goals against AFC Bournemouth in a recent match that way.
Hence, an ideal strategy for the opposition teams will be to employ a mid-press to halt Odegaard and Rice’s runs through the channels. For example, if a team is playing with a 4-2-3-1 against Arsenal, then an ideal way to counter that would be to engage the two holding midfielders, particularly to halt their runs and not allow them much freedom on the ball.
Instead of always defending deep, it might be a good idea to halt their runs with the ball in the middle third or the edge of the final third itself. It is also important for the centre-backs or the defensive midfielders to block the shots taken by Odegaard with left foot from 20-25 yards out.
That would enable the full-backs to take care of the wingers, with a special emphasis on stopping Bukayo Saka through the right. The crosses to Viktor Gyokeres could prove to be dangerous for the opposition team.
It is very critical for any team to thus nullify the Gunners’ midfield, which has been influential in maintaining Arsenal’s form. It remains to be seen whether Arsenal’s upcoming opponents are able to cause a dent in Arsenal’s form by adopting the above strategy.
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Arsenal Have Entered Into the Crucial Last Four Months of Their Season
The Gunners have entered the last four months, which could make or break their season. In the recent past, they have been at the top of the Premier League table during Christmas and the year-end, but have been toppled in the end by Manchester City, as far as winning the league title is concerned.
The north Londoners last won the league title in 2004 under Arsene Wenger, which seems like aeons ago. They will continue to have a serious go at the title this time around, and it will be up to their opponents to halt Arsenal’s form by changing their strategy.
Manchester City are also having a good run and will hope that Arsenal might lose their way somewhat during the remainder of the season. It might all lead to a mouth-watering end to the season.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Mark Pain
Recording Date: 14.01.2026
