If there wasn’t so much tension around this game, and between these clubs, Mikel Arteta and Ange Postecoglou might be able to settle and discuss some common ideas. Both have worked within the City Football Group structure, reflecting how much the Abu Dhabi-owned champions shape the wider game. You can also see how a former Manchester City player is joint top scorer with a current Manchester City player. Not since the early 2000s did Barcelona develop a whole generation of coaches has there been such a pure influence on football. This is no coincidence as the City Project sought to directly appropriate the entire ideology of Camp Nou. That was the point of pursuing Pep Guardiola for so long.
A core part of this philosophy, which seems so standard now but was once revolutionary, is sticking with the system, regardless of what’s going on around you – or to you. You have faith. You trust the process. Arteta and Postecoglou exemplify this, if from alternative interpretations of tactics.
In his difficult first two years, the Arsenal manager insisted on playing through a possession game, despite many disappointing spells. Meanwhile, Postecoglou’s commitment to attack has been one of the themes of the season. “It’s just who we are, mate” has almost become a meme.
You keep going through the process until you get to the final product. You don’t actively think about it but internalize it. The idea is that it becomes second nature, and teams can play on instinct. One problem for both teams in this north London derby, however, is that they can’t quite figure out what it all means. This is just the latest version of a fixture that has been hailed as perhaps the most important ever. Whatever the truth of this, it is definitely one where both have to be created. It is a game beyond theory or practice. It is do, or die.
Defeat for Tottenham Hotspur could put them firmly behind Aston Villa in the Champions League chase with just five games remaining. As important as that is for the home side in this fixture, however, it will obviously not be the main focus.
This subtitle is about race. Keeping it alive isn’t quite the game, but it’s not far off. Manchester City’s emphatic win over Brighton indicated that Champions League elimination will not affect Real Madrid or the fatigue seen in their FA Cup victory over Chelsea. Champions seem to be over it all. City’s remaining fixtures look even more winnable now, except for their own trip to Tottenham.
This means Arsenal cannot afford to drop any more points. They need to make sure they have the best possible chance if City themselves slip up. It’s just like Arsenal showed off their strength last week. The season could easily have spiraled out of control after a 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa and their own Champions League exit to Bayern Munich. Arsenal looked bored, as if last season’s run-in was repeating itself.
Instead they responded with an emphatic win against Wolves, as if confirming everything about the team. Chelsea were then humiliated 5–0, perhaps their most convincing display of the season so far. It also puts a different spin on this run-in.
It is no longer a three-team race, as Liverpool eventually failed. Now it could be a race between two teams that are going full steam ahead, which is probably even less. It is certainly unusual to see such independent victories at this late stage. Maybe an exit from the Champions League would serve the Premier League, bolstering its title race.
Whether it goes that far will depend on this weekend. This fact has seen great play in this very context. Arsenal famously won the title at White Hart Lane in 1971 and 2004, their last league triumph.
It’s not a trophy-saving game, though. It is to stay in touch. This is where theory comes in, as well as where both sides are in action. It can be effective.
Arteta’s arsenal is at a very advanced stage of development, with the Basque developing a number of different approaches. The most obvious can be seen in this other recent juncture game, 0-0 at Manchester City. Arsenal were able to change their approach to progressive pressure and take it all.
Postecoglou’s Spurs are not at this stage. It has several tactical changes but all within the same system. He has said it himself. They have a way. They will go for it.
This makes it hard to think that this game will have a clear pattern. Arsenal will try to catch Spurs.
It may not be that easy, though, especially with all the emotions surrounding it. There may not be enough time to think. The Spurs crowd, still delighted with Postecoglou’s arrival despite the recent drop-off, will demand a performance. That would be rude. It could be like the game in May 2022, when Spurs denied Arsenal a place in the Champions League.
Arsenal may well return the favor, as they find themselves further.
It’s not about going through the process. It’s about having it. Both have to be created.
Credit : www.independent.co.uk