Arteta went all George Graham vs. Southampton

Mikel Arteta played for Arsene Wenger and learned the coaching ropes at the feet of Pep Guardiola. It’s an education from two of the ultimate protagonists of attacking football. So it was ironic Arteta channelled a manager from the opposite end of the stylistic spectrum for Arsenal’s 2-0 win away to Southampton on Thursday.

A first victory post-lockdown — also the inaugural away win in the league of Arteta’s tenure — was borne not of attacking flair but defensive pragmatism. It was less Wenger and Guardiola and more George Graham.

Arteta faced two problems ahead of the game. The first involved fixing a leaky defence undermined by injuries and middling talent. The second concerned protecting stand-in goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

Arteta’s solution was to line up in an ostensible 4-3-3 that became 5-4-1 out of possession. It was all very Graham.

A back five was often the Scot’s go-to tactical switch when he wanted to roll the shutters down. Arteta’s homage to all things Graham required Bukayo Saka to drop from the left of midfield into a wing-back role off the ball. At the same time, nominal left-back Kieran Tierney tucked in to become a third centre-back.

The rather flat five were protected by two holders, Dani Ceballos and the returning Granit Xhaka. Both were disciplined and combative (for the most part) snuffing out danger.

What stood out most about this tactical reshuffle was how effectively the players carried it out. The seven behind the ball and in front of Martinez held their shape well, kept gaps to a minimum and closed off spaces for runners.

Jobs were also performed in forward areas, where Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe fulfilled their defensive responsibilities and were dangerous on the break.

They offered good support to young lone striker Eddie Nketiah, who pressed from the front brilliantly. Fast Eddie’s relentless pressure proffered a mistake from blunder ‘keeper Alex McCarthy to gift Arsenal the opening goal, a direct reward for how faithfully the players followed Arteta’s plan.

Arteta on Nketiah: "His maturity is incredible. I insist and I demand a lot from the forward players when it comes to pressure. In that heat to keep chasing player and to put pressure on them is not a nice thing to have to do."

— Simon Collings (@sr_collings) June 25, 2020

Key parts of the plan were pleasingly opponent-specific. The Saka and Tierney double act was expressly designed to prevent Stuart Armstrong’s runs from out to in. He’s Southampton’s chief creator, a No. 10 who is kept out of the meat grinder by starting on the right but with license to roam infield.

Armstrong rarely found pockets of space to hurt Arsenal because he was bracketed by Tierney and Saka. This was smart stuff from Arteta and a welcome sight for those of us (myself included) who are waiting to see if the young coach can do more than talk a good job.

His changes to the defensive structure also revitalised Rob Holding, who was in pre-injury form as a rock at the back:

Rob Holding for Arsenal vs. Southampton:

❍ 41 passes completed (most)
❍ 8 clearances (most)
❍ 4 aerial duels won (joint-most)
❍ 2 blocks (most)

A dominant display. 👊 pic.twitter.com/sMLqWlR3TO

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 25, 2020

This was Holding of the 2017 FA Cup final, a bullish centre-back who brushed Diego Costa aside as if the striker was used kitty litter. Holding has only needed two games to show Arteta he is the best natural defender in this squad and must keep his place in Arsenal’s best XI next season.

It wasn’t all milk and honey on the south coast, though. The defence never buckled, but Arsenal’s forward play was truly painful to watch. Attacks eventually devolved into route-one football instead of tidy and incisive possession.

Aubameyang was put through twice by long balls from Tierney and Martinez. He should have found the net on both occasions, but Aubameyang was otherwise starved of service.

The same was true of Nicolas Pepe, hauled off on the hour mark for Joe Willock. Fortunately, the Aaron Ramsey-lite from the academy bagged Arsenal’s second goal and looks like a player Arteta can build a new-look midfield around.

The need to overhaul the engine room remains obvious after another game defined by slow and inaccurate passing. Typically, Friday began with midfield-centric transfer links involving Porto’s Danilo and Salzburg’s Dominik Szoboszlai.

Arteta’s current options couldn’t keep the ball during the second half at St. Mary’s. It made for a torturous watch and reminded me of the dog days of the Graham era.

This wasn’t one from the days when Tony Adams, Lee Dixon and Co. were in their prime at the back, while Paul Merson, Alan Smith and Anders Limpar turned on the style up top.

Instead, this was more like what Graham’s Arsenal became with Ian Wright leading the line. The cup specialists of 92/93 and 93/94, who were soporific in the league.

That lot parked a couple of buses deep and treated long punts for Wrighty’s pace as expressions of creativity.

It’s not a formula for entertainment, but Arteta’s willingness to slum it felt like a key step in his coaching development. He doesn’t have the technicians to replicate Guardiola’s style, but adapting to win another way is a positive sign for the future, even if tougher tests will offer a more accurate gauge of progress.