FM24 Mikel Arteta Asymmetric Tactics with Arsenal | Football Manager 2024
This article will based on FM24 Mikel Arteta Asymmetric tactics with Arsenal this season. Arsenal are still unbeaten in the Premier League after 9 games played, with 21 out of 27 points which is not bad for a title contender.
On paper, Arteta’s is represented as a 4-3-3 tactic, which is not bad except that the way Arteta set up his team during a game is weird. During the game, White forms a back-3 with Saliba and Gabriel, and then Zinchenko joins the DM at the midfield. At the beginning of this season, when Partey was available, he would join the DM at the midfield. This is why I believe Arteta’s tactic is a 4-1-2-3 asymmetric tactic with either a left win-back or right wing-back. The wing-back is Zinchenko as the left wing-back, while Partey is the right wing-back. With no further ado, let’s get into the details of the tactic, shall we?
FM24 Mikel Arteta Asymmetric Tactics with Arsenal | Tactical Setups
In Possession
Arsenal starts the play mainly from behind. While building up plays, the three central defenders will give the goalkeeper width in the box, and Zinchenko and Rice will form double pivots above the box. The central midfielders will sit above Zinchenko and Rice while the wingers hug the flanks. In the presence of Partey as the right wing-back, he will form the double pivots with Rice – This method of playing out of defence can’t be achieved in FM24, below is how they build in FM24.
Arteta prefers his men to focus their plays through the sides of the pitch rather than through the middle of the field. Arsenal uses a shorter passing directness, at a standard tempo ball movements, as they can be quick or patient while circulating the ball. Furthermore, the Spanish boss gives his men room to be expressive rather than disciplined. Finally, they look for underlaps on both sides of the pitch as they approach the opposition’s box.
In Transition
While in transition, the attacking width is wide. During attacks, Gabriel and Saliba will step above the halfway line, into the opposition’s half, to leave them little space to play. White as the right wide centre-back will get forward in the manner of a fullback. Zinchenko will operate as an extra man at the midfield and operate as a traditional fullback – the same goes for Partey when used as a right wing-back. The wingers will spread wide often, especially Saka, Odegaard will operate in half-spaces as a mezzala. Gabriel Jesus will drop often to help build attacking transition or spread wide to support the wingers, especially at the left flank. Nketiah as the striker won’t drop often rather he stays up front to lead the attacking lines. Jesus as the striker, will drop deep often.
Furthermore, The gunners always go for counterattacks on the break and their counterattacks are fluid. In the final third, Arteta’s men work the ball into the box often. Lastly, when the London Red and white lose possession of the ball, they mostly apply frontline pressures by counter-pressing to win the ball back in the opponent’s half.
Out of Possession
In the pressing strategy, Arteta employs a higher line of engagement and a much higher defensive line. Furthermore, the pressing intensity is at a much more often intensity – plus they prevent the goalkeeper’s distribution.
In the defensive phase, Arsenal defend in a 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 shape. The wing-back will form a back-4 with the CDs, with White operating as a right fullback. In the case of Partey as the right wing-back, he will be the right fullback, while Gabriel operates as the left fullback. They equally protected their central areas by sitting compact, with their trapping outside strategy, which eventually forced the opponents outside. Furthermore, the defenders do step up the defensive line to compress the opponent’s half, leaving little room to play. Lastly, the full-backs, Zinchenko/Partey and Ben White try to close down crosses rather than inviting them.
FM24 Mikel Arteta Asymmetric Tactics with Arsenal | Formation Line Up
Role Selections
GK
The goalkeeper, David Raya is a sweeper keeper on support duty, since he replaced Ramsdale as NO 1.
CDs
Saliba is a ball-playing defender on cover duty. He will stay below the defensive line and sweep out through balls as a sweeper. Saliba is also comfortable while controlling the ball on his feet, setting up attacking moves via diagonal passes.
Gabriel is a wide centre-back on defence duty. He operates more like a traditional centre defender, blocking opponents from deeper positions and closing down opponents. He provided support to the wide area and protected it in the absence of Zinchenko.
White is wide centre-back on attacking duty. He will stay wide when the team gets forward to attack like a fullback. In the final third, he will overlap or underlap runs to impact the opponent’s box.
Left WB or Right WB
Here, Arteta uses one Wing-back and that could be a left wing-back or right wing-back. At the beginning of the season, Partey was the preferred option and he was the right wing-back. Due to Partey’s injury, Zinchenko was introduced at the left wing-back position.
This idea came about to me, due to the improvement of the inverted wing-back role in FM24. The two players are inverted wing-backs on support duties. They will form double pivots with Rice as the DM, trading passes to support the offensive plays, Zinchenko will always get forward to support the attacks, while Partey can hold his position or get forward. They also operated as traditional fullbacks, when necessary either during offensive or defensive situations.
DMs
Declan Rice is a segundo volante on support duty. He will always get forward during attacks, frequently surging into the opposition box to attack the ball in the final third. Rice will also tracked to protect the defensive line. With the ball, Rice will take more risky passes and shoot the ball from a distance often. Jorginho or Partey is a deep-lying playmaker on defence duty in this position.
CMs
Kai Havertz and Odegaard are mezzalas, but Havertz will take attack duty, while Odegaard will be on support duty. They will have to drift wide and contribute both as half-wingers and half-midfielders. Havertz is more focused on the attacking side of the team, while Odegaard will balance his defensive and attacking duties. Odegaard will shoot more often from a distance during attacks. Vieira is also mezzala on support duty. Rice in this position is a box-to-box midfielder, in this position.
Ws
Martinelli is an inverted winger on support duty. Martinelli will hug the touchline, looking to cut inside and run at the centre of the opposition defence, to shoot or assist in the final third. He doesn’t have the freedom to roam often.
Bukayo Saka is an inverted winger on attack duty. He will also stay wider during attacks, to cut inside with his left foot into the attacking third, while opening space at the flank for Odegaard to exploit. Saka also will take curling shots often and take risky passes after cutting inside. Smith Rowe or Nelson at the right wing, is a traditional winger on support duty.
CFs
Gabriel Jesus is a complete forward on support duty. Gabriel Jesus is a complete forward on support duty. Jesus frequently drops in between lines to pick up passes, guards the ball with his body and draws the opposite defenders out of position while doing that. Gabriel Jesus has the freedom to roam side by side and then make forward runs.
Eddie Nketiah is a pressing forward on attack duty. He leads the press of the team, chasing down misplaced passes from the opponent and putting pressure on the defenders.
Team Mentality
I use a positive mentality at Home except against tougher teams, where I will switch to an attacking mentality.
Then on Away matches, I always switch to a balanced mentality.
FM24 Mikel Arteta Asymmetric Tactics with Arsenal | Result and Stats
Data Hub
Scoring
Conceding
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