Vitoria SC 1-1 Arsenal: 5 talking points and tactical analysis | Europa League 2019-20 

#2 Arsenal's attacking approach in the middle proves costly early on

Vitoria clearly had Arsenal tied up in wraps inside the opening 30 minutes

Although seeing most of the ball and controlling the tempo in the first half, a tame headed effort from Holding was all Arsenal could boast in front of goal. On the contrary, the hosts produced ample chances and gave their opponents a real rattle up front.

The Gunners' wing backs were well advanced and operating in a sharper role, meaning their defence was vulnerable to a stretch whenever the ball would be lost.

The narrow positions held by the central defenders further stretched the back three, which remained vulnerable to shots from distance throughout.

Susceptible to losing out in key areas, as portrayed by the sloppy display by Maitland-Niles with the ball on a couple of occasions, Arsenal allowed a lot of space to the hosts.

Rob Holding was the only Arsenal player to produce a shot in the opening 30 minutes against Vitoria de Guimaraes.The home side had eight.

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 6, 2019

It was not surprising when Pepe Rodrigues and Marcus Edwards fabricated two jolts from range. While the former was unlucky to have been denied by the frame, the North London-born midfielder had Emiliano Martinez outstretched.

Ceballos and Willock, naturally being more explosive in nature, aided this tactical defect.