BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountHomeNewsSportBusinessTechnologyHealthCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportBusinessTechnologyHealthCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveClose menu BBC SportMenuHomeWorld CupFootballCricketFormula 1Rugby UTennisGolfCyclingAthleticsMoreA-Z SportsAmerican FootballAthleticsBasketballBoxingCricketCyclingDartsDisability SportFootballFormula 1Gaelic GamesGolfGymnasticsHorse RacingMixed Martial ArtsMotorsportNetballOlympic SportsRugby LeagueRugby UnionSnookerSwimmingTennisFull Sports A-ZMore from SportEnglandScotlandWalesNorthern IrelandNews FeedsHelp & FAQsEuropean FootballScores & FixturesTableChampions LeagueEuropa LeagueThe tactics that could win Arsenal the Champions LeagueImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Arsenal are bidding to win the Champions League for the first time Football tactics correspondentPublished4 hours agoMikel Arteta's Arsenal are hoping to follow up their Premier League triumph with a Champions League trophy against Paris St-Germain on Saturday but know a mammoth task is ahead. Arsenal's men have thrived in Europe with a high possession approach that has minimised the number of chances they concede, boasting the most clean sheets (9) in the competition so far. Luis Enrique's PSG, by comparison, have only five clean sheets but are the tournament's top scorers with 44 goals to Arsenal's 29. Although these stats set the game up as the best attack against the best defence, Arteta will hope his side are front-footed, playing in PSG's half as they did for large parts of the two legs in last season's semi-final exit. Listen on SoundsTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be played 'It's been written' - Arsenal players look ahead to UCL final A tactic that worked impressively - despite the narrow defeat - in the second-leg tie between the two sides last season was the use of midfielder Mikel Merino as a number nine. PSG, known for their ability to press intensely and often in a man-to-man fashion, stepped up to Arsenal as they looked to build out from the back. A key principle of positional play is finding the free man. When opponents apply man-to-man pressure, finding a free man is harder. With Merino dropping deep into central midfield, PSG centre-back Willian Pacho was reluctant to follow him, which allowed the French team to keep an extra player in the defensive line. Arsenal, without a striker, however now had an extra man in midfield. PSG's midfield trio, alert to Arsenal's midfield three, looked to shift across onto Merino at times but this would leave another Arsenal midfielder free helping the Gunners get up the pitch. Although Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres has seen out the season in strong form, both Merino, who is fit again after a long absence, and Kai Havertz are players naturally suited to this tactic. Image caption, PSG step up to defend in a man-to-man fashion but because Merino drops into central midfield without Pacho following him - one of PSG's midfielders has to come across to mark him. This leaves Declan Rice and David Raya (in white circles) as free men and Arsenal progress the ball up the pitch Against high man-to-man pressing, the long ball over the opponent's attack and midfield is also a valuable tactic. Merino and Havertz, again, are best placed to bring down or flick on long passes from David Raya before Arsenal's midfield swarm the second ball making this another tactic to look out for. Gyokeres could make use of long balls by duelling with defenders in wider areas, looking to run the channels. From non-league to Champions League final - Raya's fairytale rise Published1 day agoThe 7,000 minutes difference - why PSG could have edge over Arsenal Published2 days agoThe tactical fluidity that makes PSG so impressive Published28 AprilImage caption, An example of William Saliba playing long to Mikel Merino as PSG step up to apply pressure. Merino wins his duel and knocks it down for Declan Rice in space Last season, Arsenal struggled to score against PSG, often thanks to Gianluigi Donnarumma's heroics. PSG have not conceded many goals this season but Chelsea, RC Lens and Bayern Munich have all attacked well against them. By positioning their players close to each other, those teams have been able to draw PSG and their man markers higher up the pitch into crowded clusters. This then leaves other parts of the pitch with fewer players. Releasing the ball from these crowded areas into more open spaces is a tactic that has helped teams break down a resolute PSG, particularly while attacking down the middle. Arsenal tend to shy away from playing centrally, focusing more on safer attacking play and crosses, as losing the ball centrally makes you more susceptible to a counter attack. But this might be a risk they could lean into with the likes of Leandro Trossard, Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Martin Zubimendi and Eberechi Eze capable of playing in close proximity under pressure paired with players capable of finishing moves centrally. Image caption, Lens, like Chelsea in the Club World Cup, used central midfielders close to each other. This drew PSG's midfielders onto them before they found passes into less crowded areas Image caption, Michael Olise (white) scored against PSG from this move. Note the four Bayern players dropping deep, positioned close to each other, drawing three PSG players towards them. With this area of pitch crowded, space is left elsewhere (grey box) which is where the goal comes from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, an explosive right-footed left winger is one of football's most dangerous players, and Arsenal will need to keep him quiet. PSG under Luis Enrique are a very fluid side but follow certain rules as outlined in this tactical analysis of the side earlier in the season. One of these ideas is that they have certain areas of the pitch they look to keep occupied throughout the game including the two centre-back positions, both flanks, and the centre-forward position - but who moves into these positions is less important. The many rotations of different players into these areas helps PSG pull apart the opposition's defensive shape. Image caption, In yellow, you see the five areas of the pitch PSG look to occupy at all times while there is more fluidity for the players positioned in the midfield areas. In this example, the striker position is occupied by one of the midfielders pushing up as Ousmane Dembele has dropped into a midfield position
Original Source: BBC Sport
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