More Than Just Set Pieces
While many fans praise Arsenal for their set-piece strength, fewer notice how much their open-play attack has improved this season. Despite not scoring a huge number of goals from open play, the quality of their build-up has reached new heights.
According to data from The Athletic, Arsenal lead the Premier League in direct passes this season with 40, ahead of Manchester United and Liverpool (both 35). At the bottom of the list is their North London rival Tottenham — with only 4!
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A Sharp Rise in Direct Play
Looking back at the last five seasons, Arsenal’s average number of direct passes per match has gone from 2.0, 2.3, 2.7, 2.1, to 3.6. This season’s leap is significant, setting a new benchmark for Mikel Arteta’s side.
The trend fits the modern football philosophy of speed and simplicity. Last season, Arsenal averaged 3.5 passes and 12 seconds per goal in build-up. This season, those numbers have dropped dramatically — just 2 passes and 6 seconds. It’s almost hard to believe this efficiency comes from a disciple of Pep Guardiola’s possession-heavy style.
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The Power of Direct Movement
Arsenal’s direct passes often come as mid- or long-range lofted balls, targeting runners cutting in from wide areas. New signing Viktor Gyökeres, known for his tireless runs and diagonal movements, has become the focal point of this system. One common pattern: a pass is sent to the right flank, followed by a quick lofted ball over the defense for Gyökeres to chase.
Even during his goal drought, Arteta praised him highly:
“Gyökeres makes us stronger and more unpredictable. His physicality and movement open up space for the team.”
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Smart Midfield Passing
Another familiar pattern involves midfielders delivering sharp ground passes or long overhead balls to Bukayo Saka making runs down the right wing. Meanwhile, complex tiki-taka combinations in tight areas are now less frequent — Arteta’s side prefers precision over possession.
Old-school possession football that circulates endlessly around the box often leads nowhere. Arsenal, however, are cutting straight through the heart of defenses with fewer touches and more intent.
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Arsenal’s New Identity
In today’s fast-paced football, even goalkeepers are launching long balls more often. But against Arsenal, that can be risky — their tall players like Mosquera, or even shorter ones like Zubimendi, frequently win headers and start lightning-fast counterattacks.
Now, Arsenal are not only the set-piece kings but also one of the most direct and dynamic attacking teams in England. Two years ago, critics questioned how Arteta would break down deep defenses. His answer was simple: practice. This season might finally prove that the hard work has paid off.
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