Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal: Tactical Analysis - Key Moments and Strategies from Draw

Arsenal’s Fluid Attack Structure

In possession, Arsenal adopted a highly fluid approach, defying numerical formations as players interchanged positions frequently. Center-backs William Saliba and Gabriel held the deepest positions, while fullbacks Ben White and Jurrien Timber advanced high, often pinning Chelsea’s wingers and minimizing the Blues’ counterattacking options.

The Reds' defensive midfielders, Thomas Partey and Declan Rice, alternated between joining the backline to form a three and moving into vacant half-space pockets. Martin Odegaard roamed freely, supporting wherever needed, while Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli generally held wide positions, occasionally drifting in to create overloads.

Chelsea’s Response to Arsenal’s Shape

This fluidity proved challenging for Chelsea, disrupting their structured 4-4-2 mid-block and often leaving them disorganized. Arsenal’s positional rotations and ability to create width made it difficult for Chelsea to settle into a solid defensive structure.

In defending goal kicks, Arsenal employed a hybrid press with Kai Havertz marking Chelsea’s center-backs while shadowing the goalkeeper, supported by Saka and Martinelli marking the fullbacks. Odegaard monitored Chelsea’s pivots, while Rice positioned himself to support the press or intercept passes.

When the home side initiated their own high press, they deployed a similar hybrid strategy. Palmer or Jackson would mark an Arsenal pivot, pressing the goalkeeper and curving their run to shadow-mark a center-back. This forced Raya to distribute to the free center-back, triggering a pressing response from Chelsea. This approach initially created problems for Arsenal, but Arteta adjusted by shifting to a 4-2-4 shape, using wide center-backs and high fullbacks to stretch Chelsea’s press.