Arsenal have dealt with Martin Odegaard’s injury quite well. The Gunners are only one point behind Premier League leaders Liverpool and are seventh in the Champions League rankings after two Champions League matches. This includes Arsenal’s most recent Premier League win, a 3-1 comeback victory against Southampton that we covered in a previous article. However, Arsenal have had to change their tactics in light of Odegaard’s injury. Read our tactical breakdown to learn how Arsenal’s tactics changed without Odegaard.
How Arsenal’s Tactics Changed Without Odegaard: 1. Kai Havertz’s New Responsibilities
Kai Havertz plays his best football when operating as a center-forward. This is quite clear. However, Havertz has had to adapt to Odegaard’s absence by taking on some of the playmaking responsibilities.
This starts with Havertz’s hold-up play. Hold-up play is a vital but often underappreciated part of a traditional center-forward’s responsibilities. Havertz’s hold-up play is excellent. His size, strength, and aerial prowess allows David Raya to kick the ball long to him and let him duel with the opposing defender for the ball. Havertz tends to win these duels more often than not.
Additionally, thanks to Havertz’s weight of pass and vision, he can create opportunities for others after receiving the ball. This is important both in low-tempo possession and in transition. Havertz’s passing is perhaps his most underrated attribute. Havertz can operate as an attacking midfielder if necessary. This positional versatility is one reason why Arteta wanted to sign Havertz in the first place.
However, this is far from the only tactical change that Arteta has implemented due to Odegaard’s injury.
2. Sacrificing Possession to Win Matches When Prudent
Generally speaking, Arteta’s Arsenal prefers to dominate possession, control the match’s tempo, and overwhelm the opposition defense to win matches. Despite this, Arteta is pragmatic and understands that it is best to sacrifice the possession battle in favor of winning the match. Arsenal’s 2-0 win against PSG in the Champions League is a perfect example of this pragmatism.
PSG dominated possession, with 65% of the ball in that game. However, PSG only managed two shots on target compared to five shots on target for Arsenal. Arsenal largely sat deep and hit PSG on the counterattack. The Gunners scored their first goal in one such transition, with Trossard providing a great ball into the box which Havertz converted with a brave header.
Despite criticism from some football commentators, including Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, this pragmatic approached worked well. With all due respect to Henry, his criticism of Arteta’s tactics in that game was shallow and rang hollow given Henry’s failures as a manager. Arteta cares about results more than anything else, as he should. Because of that mindset, Arteta is willing to change tactics as necessary to win a match.
3. Bukayo Saka’s Emergence as a Playmaker
Bukayo Saka is a brilliant young player who is more than capable of providing goal contributions. He showed that last season. However, with Odegaard out, Saka has sacrificed his goals in order to become more of a playmaker. He has provided seven assists in seven Premier League games so far this season.
Tactically, this means whoever plays at right-back has supported Saka in attack more closely. This support creates space for Saka to operate. Saka is devastating in one-on-one situations and now seems capable of beating two defenders at once at times. Without Odegaard, Saka now looks to create goal-scoring opportunities for others more often than not.
Saka’s emergence as a playmaker has surprised many. However, it is a necessary tactical shift that has helped Arsenal play well in Odegaard’s absence. Additionally, Saka and Havertz are developing a fantastic partnership and this is key for Arsenal to continue scoring goals and winning goals while Odegaard recovers from his injury.
How Arsenal’s Tactics Changed Without Odegaard: General Thoughts
Arteta has implemented several tactical changes in Odegaard’s absence. These tactics demonstrate Arteta’s intelligence and pragmatism. Some managers stubbornly refuse to change tactics even when results suggest that those tactics aren’t working.
Vincent Kompany’s Burnley team from last season is one such example of this refusal or inability to change tactics. However, thankfully, Arteta prioritizes results above a specific style of play. As a result, Arsenal is well on track to win at least one major trophy this season, even without their brilliant captain.
Arsenal Returns to Action On October 19th at Vitality Stadium
The Gunners resume their Premier League campaign at Vitality Stadium on October 19th. Arsenal plays Bournemouth then and won 4-0 there last season. Even without Odegaard, it is likely Arsenal wins that match, given that Bournemouth are one of the weakest teams in the Premier League. Arsenal’s tactical shifts and superior quality should prove too much for the Cherries to overcome.
Check back next week for our match breakdown of the Arsenal vs. Bournemouth match on October 19th.