Ex-Head of Analysis (English Football League) | Football analysis & tactical insight | Substack, Courses & Consultancy → EBL2017.com
Ireland
- Tweets 78,447
- Following 0
- Followers 203,172
- Likes 29,806
🚨 Andrey Santos is a GAME-CHANGING signing for Manchester United.
Almost everyone has misunderstood what type of player he is. He is NOT what you think.
Here's why that changes everything… 👇
Full breakdown available @ EBL2017.com/p/why-manchester… & X Subscriptions!
24
58
761
358,720
"If we play this game 10x more, in the same fashion, then I think it is 8 times a draw, we (Liverpool) win it 1 time, and Arsenal win it 1 time."
Unsure why this statement has not been publicised by reporters.
Maybe as it is too sensible/gets less clicks.nitter.app/EBL2017_Media/status/1…
285
3,912
25,108
2,728,678
José Mourinho in the low block.
Jürgen Klopp in the high press.
Pep Guardiola in possession.
Mikel Arteta. The most complete manager alive. He's going down in history.
The titles will follow. Trust me on that 🔴⚪️
1,058
3,376
23,787
3,682,810
A tribute to Arsenal's historical performance at the Bernabéu.
Every player gets a mention before we talk about the man at the helm.
The man who is responsible for this special moment in Arsenal history. The man who constructed a game-plan from heaven, Mikel Arteta.
THREAD! 🔴
127
2,579
22,827
1,183,434
GOOD LUCK preparing to play against Arsenal next season. It'll be a guessing game.
If you press, which fullback will invert, and which #8 will drop deep? If you go man-to-man, they can play long to Havertz & can create artificial transitions.
If you sit deep, pff. No chance...
1,178
2,050
17,734
3,914,689
Declan Rice has the match-winning gene, just like Rodri, except he’s 10x better defensively AND an elite #8.
Stop debating, guys - he’s the best #6 in the world!
338
2,028
17,590
906,892
Rúben Amorim to Manchester United...
An analytical thread on Amorim's Sporting team, his tactics, and how they translate to the Premier League.
THREAD! 🚨
218
1,116
17,365
2,372,891
Benjamin Šeško, Arsenal Football Club, Mikel Arteta.
This, my friends, will be the signing that propels Arsenal onto Manchester City's level.
Šeško will be Arteta's very own version of Erling Haaland. If they get the deal done, it's the BEST signing of the window 💯
THREAD! 🔴
487
1,587
16,881
2,426,981
Michael Carrick has taken Middlesbrough from 22nd to 3rd in just 14 games as manager at the club.
I’m unsure it’s possible to comprehend how special that is, especially when considering his style represents that of the elites (4-2-4 ➡️ 3-2-5 in possession, 4-4-1-1 off the ball).
117
1,279
15,835
1,851,971
Rice is the only #6 in world football that could also become a world class #8.
His ball-carrying, ability to attack space from deep, quick feet in tight spaces and ball-striking are all phenomenal assets for a more advanced player.
I keep saying it, but he's the BEST out there.
354
1,523
15,689
1,024,360
I can’t help the urge.
Declan Rice is the best #6 in the world.
I say it every game, but he proves it every time.
581
1,132
14,984
2,770,851
Bukayo, you've got a month to get fit brother.
Arsenal need you against Madrid.
121
1,103
15,409
462,702
Saka is dragging this Arsenal team towards the title.
He needs more help.
Forget world class talk, he’s elite. Up there with the very best in the world.
171
1,252
14,843
657,743
Forget the narrative that United 'counter-attacked' their way to a win against Arsenal. That's a disservice to Erik ten Hag's *ELITE* positional play. The occupation of key spaces, the compactness in midfield, overload-underload dynamics.. it's all there 👇nitter.app/ebl2017vid/status/1567…
293
3,005
13,852
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal combine like City and counterpress like peak Liverpool.
The structure enables short passing distances as each zone is occupied, irrespective of what player is in it, and that enables reliable combination play AND compactness!
👇🚨
nitter.app/ebl2017vid/status/1591…
211
2,521
13,735
Mate, the culture at Arsenal is off the charts.
Incredible scenes for Havertz.
83
1,228
13,703
815,317
Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton started the game off against Wolves’ man-to-man press like this…
🤯
nitter.app/ebl2017vid/status/1694…
163
789
13,621
2,390,655
You'd swear Declan Rice captained this Arsenal team for the last 5 years yet it's his second game & he doesn't even have the armband.
Rodri is truly elite, we all know that, but Declan Rice is elite on AND off the ball whilst being a leader of men who's never injured.
The best.
499
994
13,490
2,136,172
Arteta deserves so much praise for his second half tactics.
He went man-to-man against City's 2-3-5 and reacted optimally to City's subs. Oh, & ALL of his subs combined to score the winner!!
Pep was equally as good, though. The margins are so, so fine. Either team could've won.
67
1,286
13,421
600,465
Manchester United was a circus up until very recently, but now it's a footballing institution again, and that's down to one man.
Erik ten Hag has removed the noise surrounding the club by implementing a truly *ELITE* style of play.
It's beautiful 👇🔴⚪️
nitter.app/ebl2017vid/status/1621…
98
2,264
13,142
827,082
Mikel Arteta turned Arsenal from nothing short of a pathetic laughing stock into the most physical team in the world.
A team that goes toe-to-toe with Pep's City when it has no right to.
Cherish him.
170
1,671
12,845
357,221
Erik ten Hag's produced a tactical masterclass last night.
He analysed the strengths & weaknesses of both teams & concluded that where United are weak (the build-up) is where Liverpool are strong (pressing high), so he removed that factor from the game 👇
nitter.app/ebl2017vid/status/1562…
190
2,109
12,375
Mikel Arteta produced a tactical masterclass yesterday.
He started Zinchenko despite the fact that he was just back from injury, & it overloaded Chelsea’s press. Not only that but it also made Arsenal ultra compact in the press. It enabled TOTAL control 👇nitter.app/ebl2017vid/status/1589…
168
1,986
12,326
Fella plays his own sport.
Never seen anybody like him.
So far and away the best centre back in the world, and the best I have ever seen.
He has that Messi gene where he wows me every time I watch him, and he’s a defender!
134
940
12,828
558,879
Manchester United were flawlessly coached from a tactical perspective against Crystal Palace.
This was one of the very first times Erik ten Hag's team controlled the game with AND without the ball to the same level as City & Arsenal.
It shows Erik ten Hag CAN succeed..
THREAD!
215
988
12,477
1,010,293
At 18, Leny Yoro profiles as the heir to Virgil van Dijk.
Every elite club in the game wanted him for a reason, but Manchester United won the race - Yoro's physical, technical and mental attributes are off the scale 🤯
Below, I break down United's new 'wonderkid'...
THREAD! 🔴
120
830
12,221
1,588,810
Let me let you in on a little secret - Mikel Arteta's Arsenal did NOT go to the Etihad to sit back behind the ball. That was not the plan.
City simply forced them back, but Arsenal are one of the few teams who can excel when plan A fails.
They are ELITE defensively.
THREAD! 🚨
192
1,223
12,145
1,549,088
Lewis-Skelly, mate.
The weight on the assist to Martinelli after dribbling through 3 players in the centre of the pitch… 🤯
Not just any players, either. Atleti players.
Some of the most ferocious duellers in the game.
Alien profile with detail in the final action.
52
1,101
12,462
178,619
Martin Ødegaard is an ELITE player is his new all-encompassing role.
In the #10, he had natural limitations that prevented him from reaching the likes of KDB. He's a different profile now, more like Bernardo Silva.
Somehow, Arteta's Arsenal are going to get better..
THREAD! 🚨
104
954
11,560
792,604
10 men for 45 minutes, no Ødegaard.
Only drew in the last kick of the game away at Pep's City, and it feels like a loss.
Mentality monsters.
147
1,397
11,653
266,278
Spurs 0-1 Arsenal.
With several key starters injured, Señor Mikel Arteta cooked up a tactical masterclass of the highest order 💯
THREAD! 👇
195
930
11,618
828,028
I write this with a heavy heart:
I was appointed as the 'Lead First Team Analyst' for a club in the EFL. I leave Ireland tomorrow.
I have gone through a lot to get to this stage, but dreams come true if you work hard enough despite life being tough 💯
Thank you so, so much ❤️
1,161
858
11,408
3,339,413
Havertz offers a solution in the biggest games to play over teams who press with relentless aggression.
We saw that today against Konaté and van Dijk.
It's time to stop making a mockery of the fact that Arsenal signed him for specific circumstances & embrace his useful profile.
110
1,147
11,309
363,114
Arsenal are a special team. That's clear. However, the structure in which they operate in doesn't half make the game easier for the players.
The players have the skill level, but Mikel Arteta's system consistently outwits the opposition.
It's *ELITE*. nitter.app/ebl2017vid/status/1635…
107
1,618
11,220
997,130
There you have it.
1-0 down at St. James’ Park.
Arteta goes to a 2-1-7 (yes, 7 on the top line).
Arsenal come back to win.
Too defensive, eh? Have that 👊
Trust him with your life.
108
1,117
11,706
318,611
Declan Rice has played as a #6 for his entire career yet it's possible Arteta and Arsenal are signing him to play in the #8.
Below, in this in-depth thread, I break down why Rice is destined to succeed & spearhead Arsenal to many TITLES regardless of where he plays!
THREAD 🔴⚪️
190
1,069
10,983
1,754,437
Arsenal played Champaign football today in Arteta's new 3-1-6.
Tactically, they outclassed Nottingham Forest. Don't let xG without context or a nervy ending make you think otherwise for a single second.
Below, in an in-depth thread, I assess their performance & future.
THREAD!
307
1,034
10,991
1,730,324
McTominay, mate - leading Napoli to glory.
I wasn’t joking around about this guy, man.
10 Serie A goals, 7 of which came at 0-0 AND he has won the MOST duels in the ENTIRE league this season. Come on… COME ON.
Give him the credit that he deserves 💙
118
806
11,465
369,929
I'm running out of superlatives for Mikel Arteta.
The manner in which he has rebuilt Arsenal Football Club is often beyond comprehension.
Below, in this analytical thread, I break down how Mikel Arteta has carried out one of the most special jobs in modern history..
THREAD 🔴
301
1,325
10,573
1,456,802
Liverpool, Arsenal.. Klopp, Arteta.. Anfield, controlling chaos..
There's a LOT to consider in this game of gigantic proportions.
Most interestingly, Liverpool haven't played Arsenal with Zinchenko yet, making it the first time Liverpool have played the 'real' Arsenal.
THREAD!
167
881
10,547
2,189,879
Mikel Arteta came up with an ELITE solution in the absence of Zinchenko, Timber, and Tomiyasu in the inverted fullback role against West Ham.
That solution was Ben White.
White played a role that changed Arsenal's typical dynamics, so let's explore that in detail.
THREAD! 🔴⚪️
157
838
10,676
932,301
Dorgu.
Never scored a goal for Manchester United.
Yet he receives in the positions that Doku, Eze, Gakpo, Diaz, Barcola, Kvara, etc, etc play in.
143
979
11,068
476,680
Declan Rice *is* the best #6 in the world and is one of the best #8’s in the world.
Arteta is smart to use him in both roles 🔴
183
828
10,480
429,323
David Raya has the same physical and technical profile as Aaron Ramsdale. Very little, if anything, separates the pair in that regard.
However, they have different mental profiles - this may be why Arteta wants to bring Raya to Arsenal.
Below, I break the move down..
THREAD 🔴
126
791
10,309
1,715,726
Mauricio Pochettino still has a lot of question marks around him, but the Brighton game showcased tactical qualities Chelsea haven't seen in a LONG TIME.
Below, in this in-depth thread, I break down how Pochettino set Chelsea up to a 🔝 standard on AND off the ball...
THREAD 🔵
123
855
10,295
1,591,976
Eze with more of an impact in 2 touches than Martinelli had all game.
Arteta dropped the ball with that selection.
175
882
10,828
518,495
Kai Havertz, on the face of it, has been underwhelming since his move to Chelsea. However, environments matter in football.
Arteta is going to utilise Havertz in a system that will allow him to *flourish*.
Below, I break down why Havertz WILL succeed at Arsenal.
MEGA-THREAD 🚨
235
1,015
10,155
2,130,282
Arsenal's tactics against Unai Emery's Aston Villa were flawless.
After a summer away from Arteta's team, it was nice to remind ourselves of how special Arsenal can be. As far as control goes, they are on City's level 💯
However, Arteta deserves and *NEEDS* more..
THREAD! 🚨👇
206
890
10,331
1,421,093
Bruno Fernandes.
In another world he has several Premier League and Champions League titles.
56
800
10,336
280,337
Raumdeuter.
A forgotten weapon in Arsenal's attacking repertoire.
Riccardo Calafiori.
84
496
10,322
481,893
£43.5 million for Jurrien Timber can't be real, is it!?
The guy just turned 22, is as mature as a 30 year old veteran, can't be pressed, and can play as a centre back, traditional right back or inverted fullback to a special, special standard.
The way Arsenal operate is WILD 🤯
173
738
9,693
864,269
Last time Arsenal played at Old Trafford, Mikel Arteta's front 3 was Ethan Nwaneri, Leandro Trossard, and Mikel Merino.
Yet, after the game, Arsenal were heavily criticised for drawing 1-1.
122
631
10,223
627,970
Kai Havertz is awakening.
More to come, Arsenal fans. I can assure you of that.
65
734
9,582
309,006
Spurs away on Sunday, Atalanta away on THURSDAY (whilst City played on Wednesday), City away on Sunday.
The physical and mental fatigue must have been off the scale, yet Arsenal only conceded in the 98th minute after playing an entire half with 10 MEN.
Unbelievable.
63
1,527
9,806
238,193
Bukayo Saka is one of the only players in the entire sport who excels in each area of the pitch (both wings, both half spaces, & centrally).
He can turn between the lines, beat his man in a 1v1 on the inside or outside, dictate attacks, be the main penetrator…
He does it all!!
76
858
9,450
535,260
Not only has Mikel Arteta taught Declan Rice how to play as a lone #6, he has also made him a fantastic set-piece taker!
I challenge you to name one thing Declan Rice cannot do in midfield, whether that be in the #6 or the #8.
As I always say, he's the best #6 alive. A unicorn.
99
881
9,537
266,023
Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool have drastically adapted their traditional 4-3-3 by implementing a brand new 3-2-5 system with inverted fullbacks.
Trent Alexander-Arnold's inversions into midfield in particular have unlocked his own AND Liverpool's game this season 🔴⚪️
MEGA-THREAD!
243
1,162
9,434
1,528,736
Can’t help but think of Jürgen Klopp.
He deserves all of the credit in the world.
Everything good at Liverpool stems from him.
All of it.
104
716
9,658
277,949
We argued about Gyökeres, but ain't nobody arguing about Eze.
Class personified.
48
480
9,787
384,947
I just realised that Arteta implemented a tactic that he has never ever implemented before, until today.
Thread out ASAP!
🔴
148
533
9,298
825,027
The best thing about Gyökeres' goal is his reaction to it.
Not even a hint of a smile, even when his teammates joined him.
No relief, just steely determination.
'Nobody cared until I put on the mask' is more poignant than you think - he is on a mission.
Arsenal
71
547
9,686
597,502
It seems like Pochettino will take a flexible approach to Chelsea's tactical framework.
This means that Chelsea will consistently play the same system but slightly tweak dynamics depending on their own personnel & how the opposition play. That's definitely a positive.
A thread.
48
507
9,114
856,368
Bruno Fernandes, by the way.
The way he takes responsibility in the most difficult moments is admirable beyond belief.
He orchestrated EVERY SINGLE ATTACK at 4-2 down to 10 men.
Casemiro was influential as well. Two proper leaders, but Bruno’s quality is upper echelon elite.
44
857
9,520
211,861
I was blown away by Kai Havertz' performance last night. He rolled all of his best attributes together & put them into one game. He has arrived.. He has officially ARRIVED 🔥
Arsenal are functional with him in midfield thanks to the genius of Arteta in how he uses Ødegaard deep.
100
693
9,077
625,379
Chelsea are out here ruining careers.
They have the masses convinced guys like Mykhailo Mudryk and Moisés Caicedo are average footballers.
Do you realise how wild that is? How bad a process has to be for guys like that to look poor?
It's unbelievably bad. Truly unbelievable.
271
978
8,975
1,160,587
Vincent Kompany has changed Burnley from a long ball team into one of the most aesthetically pleasing & *efficient* sides in the WORLD.
Not only that, but he excels in all of the areas required to be an ELITE manager. The evidence suggests he might be exactly that.
MEGA-THREAD.
129
1,017
9,085
1,919,029
This Eze guy, man.
He holds the keys.
All of a sudden Arsenal can take Saka off and they still have an elite creative threat in attack.
His quality in transition AND against low blocks is utterly devastating.
40
755
9,510
156,241
Arne Slot ball.
Attract in, play over, up back and through pattern, goal.
Like De Zerbi.
Liverpool FC
211
367
9,233
2,448,515
Saka is inverting to press the ball-side centre back but Trippier isn't backing him up by pressing the fullback Saka vacates. Saka looks around & put his arms up at Trippier in anger. This isn't Arsenal, Bukayo. You're managed by Southgate, not Arteta. The standards ain't as high
151
1,060
8,862
We cannot underestimate the insanity of Bukayo Saka's profile.
Pep signed Grealish for £100m to provide technical security.
Klopp built his system around Salah.
Saka provides Arsenal with both of their attributes yet he isn't highlighted as the best because he's 'too perfect'.
117
809
9,165
419,343
And that’s the difference between van Dijk and Saliba - dealing with direct play.
191
439
9,117
5,315,719
Zubimendi's signing has HUGE implications for Mikel Arteta's Arsenal 🔴⚪️
You know how Vitinha rotates with Neves/Ruiz?
Partey & Jorginho were not mobile/technical enough to do that — Zubimendi is!
Arsenal's ability to control games is about to go up another level 🤯
THREAD 🚨
110
684
9,231
760,619
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have turned Klopp's Liverpool into a 4-4-2 mid-block team. Do you realise how wild that is?
43
991
8,505
Gabriel Magalhães, mate. Your tactical intelligence, braveness, and physicality as a whole is elite.
Kudos to you sir.
37
623
8,716
264,090
With the Manchester United job up for grabs, there's only one direction the club should look in, & that's towards sunny Amsterdam!
Erik ten Hag is an *ELITE* coach who's 4-3-3 showcases elements of Guardiola's on-ball style & Klopp's off-ball style. Scary good.
COLLOSAL-THREAD.
139
1,290
8,414
Saka has played right wing, left back, and right wing back.
There's quite literally nobody like him.
378
908
8,645
5,129,428
Lots of talk about Saliba and Gabriel being a great Premier League partnership.
Alright, I get that, because they are, but Konaté and van Dijk is a superior iteration of it both with and without the ball.
The best centre half partnership in world football, bar none.
Elite 🔴
82
666
8,685
323,721
If the reports surrounding Timber's quicker-than-expected return from injury are true, then it will make a *MASSIVE* difference to Arsenal's season!
He offers the best of Zinchenko (pass volume and technical security) and Tomiyasu (defensive qualities).
He is an elite talent 💯
83
523
8,451
486,937
Premier League
Arsenal have two players in Saliba and Rice that are theoretically the best possible iteration of a profile in their respective roles.
They excel at EVERYTHING whilst having the optimal temperament in duels & in possession to balance security with progression.
Super Saiyans 🔴
65
648
8,410
534,762
Leandro Trossard is a technical wizard who epitomises the new era of Arsenal - technical but ruthless, & on both feet!!
In games where Arsenal dominate the ball he's useful beyond belief, from a creative AND goalscoring perspective. He guarantees 🔝 output.
3 assists, 1 half 👊
69
934
8,390
328,292
Gyökeres will feast with Eze's passing, directness, vision, pausa, and sheer quality.
78
640
8,853
215,238
It's important to acknowledge that elite football clubs judge their players based on specific metrics.
A coach creates a system & subsequent roles within it. Data metrics are then created for those roles to assess players 'in-house'.
Havertz is a prime example of this.
THREAD!
72
632
8,446
1,242,450
Manchester United fans should hold their head up high.
United went to the Emirates with an injury-stricken squad which got worse mid-game but still took control away from Arsenal for large periods. Not only that, but they were an inch away from winning via Garnacho.
Patience...
341
947
8,361
944,951
Declan Rice.
His legs in defensive transition, his composure to stay on his feet & ‘delay’ in the duel, his engine, his bravery to skip out a man to speed up the game, his quality in the final 3rd.
Plus, above all, his willingness to take responsibility in every moment.
ELITE!
57
872
8,853
147,829
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have evolved.
Arsenal are no longer easily identifiable tactically.
So often we have seen Arsenal use positional play principles, and they are still there, albeit in an entirely different way.
Below, I review "The New and Improved Arsenal".
THREAD! 🔴⚪️
104
936
8,508
611,550
Look at the purity of that strike. *THAT* is ball-striking - toes pointed down and the ball struck with the laces.
Imagine being as physical as he is yet that technical in A) tight spaces to create separation & B) to finish with venom.
An elite talent, Gabriel Martinelli 🇧🇷🔴⚪️
43
688
8,256
261,282
Van Dijk is the only defender that I've ever seen that amazes me.
We have seen many elite-level defenders in the past, but none quite like van Dijk who is impossible to press, has an elite passing range, is lightening quick & dominates all types of duels.
The Messi of defence.
68
882
8,286
299,417
Benjamin Šeško has the potential to become the best #9 IN THE WORLD 🤯
We are talking about a 6'4 speed demon. Someone who is unstoppable in transition. An elite ball-striker. Oh, and he can dribble. Šeško is an ALIEN!
The exact profile Mikel Arteta's Arsenal need..
THREAD! 🔴
248
741
8,595
1,499,473
It's a great win, but what's probably even more exciting is the quality of Arteta's tactics in Timber and Zinchenko's absence.
Arsenal utilised a 3-2-5 in possession with Partey inverting into midfield alongside Declan Rice.
The dynamics & quality remain even with TWO injuries.
128
532
8,145
549,494