That’s Why We Are Champions! Arteta’s Arsenal Prove Their Worth at Anfield

I have often written that you don’t have to like Mikel Arteta’s tactics, but you do have to respect them.

If you ever need to show anyone 90 minutes of evidence to highlight our manager’s ethos, show them Sunday’s game.

No one will ever accuse his principles of producing attractive football to watch, but you have to admire it.

He just took a team to Anfield and didn’t concede a shot on target (or one, depending on whose stats you listen to)!

This happened at one of the hardest stadiums to do that, a venue that relies on emotion to make moments. Arsenal have experienced that in their history.

Arsenal’s Defensive Discipline Is No Coincidence

This wasn’t just any Liverpool attack either. They have invested over £300 million in the attacking positions.

Yet David Raya didn’t have to make a save (some are counting Mac Allister’s overhit pass as a shot!) because of last-ditch blocks, ricochets, the ball being headed away and so many bodies being in the way that the opposition had to take shots from distance.

That’s not a coincidence. Once or twice a side can be lucky, but the Gunners are routinely defending like this, and not just their back four but the whole 11!

It’s not the sexiest approach and won’t be celebrated like previous champions.

Yet the 1-0 win at Anfield doesn’t happen without hard work on the training pitch.

It would have required hours of coaching daily to build the machine that has been built.

Arteta Has Built a Selfless Arsenal Squad

It’s also about ensuring the correct characters arrive in North London who have the desired personality.

Because if one attacker refuses to sacrifice themselves and help defend, the system breaks down.

A Kai Havertz is never going to score 20 league goals a season, but not all strikers defend from the front like the German does.

There’s even been a suggestion that his boss prefers working with a forward in that manner rather than having a natural goalscorer.

The end result is a selfless squad who have bought into the club’s vision.

As I’ve argued before in defence of Mikel Arteta’s tactics, you don’t have to like the way we play to respect what he’s building.

This victory quite literally showed why we are Champions!