Tactical Analysis: Why Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal struggle to find the net
After the chaos and misdirection of the Unai Emery era, Mikel Arteta’s arrival ushered a new wave of hope for Arsenal. Here was a…
Tactical Analysis
106 articles
Opinion/Features
Player Analysis: Why critics of Mason Mount are only proving their own lack of football knowledge
“I don’t want to add fuel to the fire of him being my son.” When managers feel compelled to make such remarks about their…
Player Analysis: RB Salzburg’s unique young playmaker Dominik Szoboszlai
The block-headed forward sent the Hungarian defence dancing in desperation. There was a flung body that slid across the muddy pitch, accompanied by a…
The latest piece of the puzzle: Why Diogo Jota is thriving at evolving Liverpool
Virtually every great team is defined by a subset of its players, a cluster of the overall unit whose success is particularly eye-catching. Busquets,…
Tactical Retrospective: Brendan Rodgers brilliant but flawed Liverpool side of 2013/14
In the 2013/14 season, current Leicester City coach Brendan Rodgers brought Liverpool within three games of their first Premier League title. Their sensational demise…
To escape consistent inconsistency, Manchester United need Mauricio Pochettino
Consistently inconsistent. That’s the phrase that was circulating Football Twitter in the aftermath of Manchester United’s 2-1 defeat to Istanbul Basaksehir on Wednesday. It’s…
Tactical Analysis: Don Carlo’s high-flying Everton
There is perhaps no better microcosm of the absurdity of the world at present than the Premier League season thus far. Leicester City trouncing…
Player Analysis: How will Alex Telles improve Solskjaer’s Man United?
Manchester United had a characteristically manic and generally underwhelming transfer window. Despite bringing in big names such as Edison Cavani and Donny Van de…
Player Analysis: Just how good is Man United target Jadon Sancho?
Manchester United’s pursuit of Jadon Sancho has been among the most drawn-out transfer sagas of this or any transfer window. Some, such as Gary…
Tactical Analysis: What will Thiago bring to Liverpool's midfield?
Liverpool’s midfield is peculiar. Great teams are often defined by a stellar midfield. Roy Keane and Paul Scholes. Casemiro, Toni Kroos, and Luka Modric.…
Player Analysis: How will Van de Beek fit into Solskjaer's Man United side?
A perennial issue of squad building is how to purchase players beyond a first XI. Should teams buy like-for-like replacements for starting players such…
Player Analysis: What can Leeds fans expect from £27 million attacker Rodrigo?
Leeds United have signed former Real Madrid academy striker Rodrigo Moreno from Valencia. With just 38 goals in 172 La Liga appearances, some are…
Player Analysis: What will Gabriel Magalhaes bring to Arsenal?
Arsenal have reportedly beat Napoli and Manchester United to the signing of 22-year-old centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes. Mikel Arteta will hope that with the Brazilian…
Tactical Retrospective: Chelsea’s one man strike force, Didier Drogba
Aside from Diego Costa, Chelsea have lacked a reliable, world-class centre-forward during the past several seasons. The arrival of Timo Werner may change that,…
Player Analysis: What will Willian bring to Mikel Arteta’s rejuvenated Arsenal side?
After failing to renew his contract with Chelsea, Willian has signed for Arsenal. Despite being a free agent, the Brazilian’s contract reportedly makes him…
Tactical Analysis: Leicester City’s Project Restart dropoff explained
Brendan Rodgers is judged unfairly in English football. After bringing Swansea City to the Premier League and leading them to survival, he brought Liverpool…
Tactical Retrospective: Man City’s David ‘El Mago’ Silva
David Silva is one of those unique personas in football who is universally respected, even by rival fans. It’s a testament not merely to…
Player Analysis: How would Thomas Partey improve Arsenal?
Patrick Vieira is perhaps one of the most over-referenced players in football. It seems like every time a talented, French defensive midfielder emerges onto…