The friendly against AC Milan allowed the Arsenal coaching staff to instantly start assessing. First-team players and emerging talents in terms of their performances. Friendlies are practically just training games; however, this game provided some very useful insight. This allowed Arsenal to discuss player performances, tactics, and the cohesiveness of the team. Here are some of the Arsenal takeaways.
Tactical Flexibility: How Arsenal Adapted to AC Milan
Certainly, one key takeaway from the friendly against AC Milan would be that tactical flexibility was very important. Facing the press of AC Milan, Arsenal learned to switch their formation and style of play. From possession-based football to direct play according to the situation. For they shall meet a variety of opponents, each one of them having his style.
https://twitter.com/arsenal?lang=ga
Player ratings: Arsenal rising stars against AC Milan
This friendly against Milan allowed the Arsenal coaching staff to instantly start assessing. First-team players and emerging talents in terms of their performances. Quite a few youngsters became vital during the proceedings and demonstrated that they could impact the first team. The manager singled out some of those graduates from the club’s academy who performed well. This would give him even more reason to continue the integration of youth into the first-team framework. It will ultimately be a case of nurturing young talent. That will determine whether Arsenal can become an elite club in the years ahead.
Defensive Organization: What did we learn from AC Milan’s attack?
Most of the time, the Gunners simply could not hold their shape. As AC Milan opportunistically pounced on those emboldening gaps. Such were the teachings for a backline so desperately in need of good communication and coordination of its own. Those glaring shortcomings will be
The Second-Line: Arsenal Axes Milan
The midfield contest produced flashes of brilliance, with many other imperfect moments between AC Milan and Arsenal. The Gunners imposed the tempo of the game and virtually let their big-name stars take over. The influential and creator role of play and goal-scoring chances. Though AC Milan midfielders would slip through those very lines set out for them by Arsenal a few times. A clear signal that defensive discipline in the center requires improvement. A better midfield partnership is needed to take control of the midfield.
Attack Cohesion: Arsenal’s Creative Potential
The attacking display of Arsenal against AC Milan showed signs of creative potential. But one thing that was left wanting was the finishing-Gunners largely finished at the wrong end. When genuine chances were created against their opponents. This brought forth more emphasis on clinical finishing and the necessity of an attack.
Authors Opinion
Usually, set-piece goals seal the destiny of matches much like this friendly with AC Milan. The Gunners did get a few chances from set-pieces, but neither took them. So there will be some polishing out of set-piece tactics at both ends of the pitch. The coaching staff will need to analyze those moments and come up with routines. That will hopefully give Arsenal a better rate of set-piece conversion.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this friendly against AC Milan gave out some key lessons that Arsenal can take into their preparation for the upcoming season. Lessons drawn from that fixture included tactical flexibility, player assessment, defensive organization, balanced midfield, attack, and set-piece goals. All of those lessons will help Arsenal as they go forward in rebuilding and tweaking. Their tactics both domestically and in Europe. Those lessons must really be embraced by the Gunners if they want to compete for the really big money.
