4 improvements we've seen from Mikel Arteta's Arsenal

#1 Coordinated patterns of attacking play

Crystal Palace v Arsenal FC - Premier League

Under Arsène Wenger, Arsenal was renowned for their fluid passing and easy on the eye style of attacking play, that aura has become a myth in the past few years. The previous regime’s pragmatic and conservative approach to build-up play sucked the freedom out of the players, forcing them to be rigid in the final third. In just four games, Arteta has been able to add rhythm to Arsenal’s final third play, with every player now understanding their roles in attack.

Emery’s main source of chance creation came through the flanks, he overly relied on cutbacks from fullbacks. However, when teams doubled up on the flanks, the Gunners were unable to find alternative solutions. That’s why it was so easy for teams to stop an attack with the likes of Aubameyang, Lacazette, Ozil and Pepe from scoring more than two goals a game.

Arteta’s philosophy has got Arsenal creating from all angles, especially by running most attacks through Mesut Ozil. When he receives the ball in a certain space, others make runs ahead of him at varying angles. We’re finally starting to see a free-flowing Arsenal again.