After the draw at the BayArena, Arsenal take on the 2024 Bundesliga Champions Bayer Leverkusen at the Emirates. A team which was managed by names like Xabi Alonso and Erik Ten Hag in the last two years, take on the English League leaders who seek their first league title in 22 years.
Arsenal started quite well off the ball, with good pressing intent in the first three minutes. Ben White is entering the midfield, which he should be no stranger to during his time at Leeds and Brighton, while Saka and Trossard hold the width. Arsenal seek to drag Leverkusen out of their shape and pick them apart, and the German giants know this, and because of this they are patient to time their press, instead of pressing haphazardly. The first corner for Arsenal was missed by Gabriel in the eighth minute. Arsenal without the ball, play a 4-4-2 press with Ebere Eze pushing up beside the striker Viktor Gyokeres. Bayer 04 also try to get the ball to Poku who looks skillful on the ball and may cause concern for former Leverkusen man Piero Hincapie.
Blaswich denied Leandro Trossard in a well-worked move by the Gunners in the fifteenth minute. Within this structure, there is a little bit of fluidity in Arsenal. Leverkusen’s rear-guard is a 5-4-1 formation without the ball. When they have the ball, Quansah stays a little bit wide off Andrich, who although normally is a midfielder, is being deployed as a center-back. Max Dowman is on the bench after being the youngest player to score in the Premier League against Everton.
Kofane, the Bayer 04 striker looks isolated when fed the ball. Another additional putlet player would be useful as Arsenal have well-marshalled his threat without much fuss.
Ore M. 
Leave a comment