April 16, 2023
Mikel Arteta finds new Arsenal answer to mimic Pep Guardiola tactic in title race
Arsenal’s starting XI under Mikel Arteta has been relatively constant when everyone was fit, but a knock to Oleksandr Zinchenko meant Kieran Tierney had a chance to show he belonged in the set-up amid talk of a summer exit . The Scottish international has been a key figure for much of Arteta’s tenure, and his absence at the end of the 2021-22 season was one of the factors behind the North London side missing out on a top-four finish. Zinchenko has taken things to a new level, though - both on the pitch and in the dressing room - leaving Tierney with limited options. The ex-Celtic defender started all six of Arsenal ’s Europa League group games, but has been a far less constant presence in the league. His last start came in the reverse fixture on boxing Day against the Hammers, but Zinchenko’s absence against West Ham at the London Stadium offered a chance - and a test. Arsenal take risky approach with Mikel Arteta contract as PSG circle Arsenal set Folarin Balogun asking price after striker makes transfer decision As Manchester City look to chase down Arsenal in the lead-up to their huge late-April meeting at the Etihad Stadium, there has been one notable trend on the part of Pep Guardiola. The Catalan has encouraged his full-backs to step into midfield, with John Stones doing so with the most frequency and the likes of Rico Lewis and Nathan Ake also taking turns. Arteta’s past at City has been felt at other times this season, and Zinchenko’s versatility has been used before today. Tierney’s adaptability is still worth noting, though. Arsenal’s fluid back-line has been a feature for much of the campaign, though on this occasion it was often Ben White pushing inside as a third centre-back or another member of the Gunners side dropping to left-back to allow Tierney inside. Most of the time this was Granit Xhaka, a man who has also started games on the left of Arteta’s defence, but in one instance it was centre-forward Gabriel Jesus as the most deep-lying player on that flank, further demonstrating the fluidity of the league leaders’ set-up. Should Arsenal keep Tierney or cash in? Have your say in the comments section Kieran Tierney stepped in for Arsenal with Oleksandr Zinchenko unavailable ( Image: AP) That’s not to say Tierney neglected his full-back work. The Scot put in a crucial sliding challenge to deny Jarrod Bowen as the England international looked to break free at the end of the first half, as well as a big sliding block to deny the same player 15 minutes from time, and was often assisted by Xhaka as he looked to keep his direct opponent in check. Hammers frontman Michail Antonio appeared keen to pressure Tierney and left-sided centre-back Gabriel in the early stages, but later opted to test himself against Rob Holding on the other side. The switch spoke to how little change Antonio was getting out of his opponent before the break. One area where Zinchenko may have been missed, however, is the calm which he instils in his fellow players. Arsenal were fully in control at 2-0, but needlessly allowed their opponents back into the game with sloppy possession before switching off entirely for Jarrod Bowen's equaliser. Arteta knows full well he needs to use his full squad this season, be that by choice or necessity. We saw further evidence of that as January signings Leandro Trossard and Jorginho were the first to be introduced from the bench. Choice and necessity are not the same, of course, and it may well be the case that ZInchenko comes straight back in against his former club. Still, this might not be the last time we see Tierney called upon this season, and it surely won't be the last time Arteta encourages his full-backs into the middle of the park.
Related Stories
Latest News
Top news around the world
Academy Awards

‘Oppenheimer’ Reigns at Oscars With Seven Wins, Including Best Picture and Director

Get the latest news about the 2024 Oscars, including nominations, winners, predictions and red carpet fashion at 96th Academy Awards

Around the World

Celebrity News

> Latest News in Media

Watch It
Ruby Franke’s Husband REVEALS Alleged Rules He Had to Follow at Home | E! News
March 28, 2024
_mU-3lE2QwI
#KenanThompson speaks out following the #QuietonSet documentary. (🎥: Tamron Hall Show) #shorts
March 28, 2024
8AGP-Gfw_Ek
King Charles Shares "Great Sadness" at Missing Royal Appearance | E! News
March 28, 2024
lyizFqf1kQY
Martha Reeves Walk of Fame Ceremony
March 27, 2024
QzyezumEPtQ
Eminem, 50 Cent & Snoop Dogg Present Dr. Dre with a Star on the Walk of Fame
March 19, 2024
4bNLs1hxVp8
Opening Remarks for the Variety Summit October 20th, 2023 Jay Penske
March 18, 2024
c6Z707iLq8E
Montell Jordan Dishes On Young MC Wedding, 'This Is How Date Night' Plans | TMZ
March 28, 2024
G3SMExj-qio
Davina Potratz Says TV Not Helping 'Selling Sunset' Relationship Woes | TMZ
March 28, 2024
D4piy4GNm4k
Logan Paul Rips Graham Bensinger Over Documentary, You Promised Apple TV+ | TMZ Live
March 28, 2024
NiSDpZhZklQ
Prince William pinned royal medal to Spice Girl Mel B’s boobs #shorts
March 28, 2024
O1cQ0UW9pco
Jennifer Garner shares ‘hard’ part of raising her and Ben Affleck’s kids
March 28, 2024
3Q7mZaVUdgc
50 Cent's ex Daphne Joy named as an alleged sex worker in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs lawsuit #shorts
March 28, 2024
yhLFI8DG9rM
TV Schedule
Late Night Show
Watch the latest shows of U.S. top comedians

Sports

Latest sport results, news, videos, interviews and comments
Latest Events
28
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
PSG W - Hacken W
28
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
Barcelona W - SK Brann W
27
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
Chelsea W - Ajax W
27
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
Lyon W - SL Benfica W
17
Mar
SPAIN: La Liga
Atletico Madrid - Barcelona
17
Mar
ENGLAND: FA Cup
Manchester United - Liverpool
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Inter Milan - Napoli
17
Mar
GERMANY: Bundesliga
Borussia Dortmund - Eintracht Frankfurt
17
Mar
ENGLAND: FA Cup
Chelsea - Leicester City
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Roma - Sassuolo
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Verona - AC Milan
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Juventus - Genoa
16
Mar
GERMANY: Bundesliga
Darmstadt - Bayern Munich
16
Mar
ENGLAND: FA Cup
Manchester City - Newcastle United
16
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Fulham - Tottenham Hotspur
16
Mar
SPAIN: La Liga
Osasuna - Real Madrid
13
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 1/8 Final
Atletico Madrid - Inter Milan
12
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 1/8 Final
Barcelona - Napoli
12
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 1/8 Final
Arsenal - Porto
Find us on Instagram
at @feedimo to stay up to date with the latest.
Featured Video You Might Like
zWJ3MxW_HWA L1eLanNeZKg i1XRgbyUtOo -g9Qziqbif8 0vmRhiLHE2U JFCZUoa6MYE UfN5PCF5EUo 2PV55f3-UAg W3y9zuI_F64 -7qCxIccihU pQ9gcOoH9R8 g5MRDEXRk4k
Copyright © 2020 Feedimo. All Rights Reserved.