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Hopefully short thread on why yesterday was different, despite the comments by a section of our fanbase talking about how the only difference was the players, and had nothing to do with structural changes, and as such, no fault of the manager for previous games.
We played a back 4 yesterday. But even more important than that is the fact that we had two CMs, whose jobs were to play as CMs. No Xhaka as a left back. No Neny doubling as a right back for half the game. They stayed in midfield and did their primary jobs. That is different!
But even more important than the CMs as CMs was the fact we played Smith-Rowe as an AM, as an actual 10. Playing in that corridor of uncertainty between opposition midfield and defence. His mere presence there meant we had someone to pass to progress the ball to vertically.
This also meant our first thought wasn't always to the wings, and as such, we were unpredictable. That Xhaka pass 2 Tierney doesn't happen without ESR because teams know that's all we do, so they cut off that supply line early. But we had the ESR option, so created uncertainty.
For the record, Smith-Rowe didn't even have a good game yesterday. He had a below average game for his talent level, but his mere presence provided our midfield an extra passing option and he's good enough to keep the ball when he gets it in that area. And that's important.
It's important because we then provided ESR, Xhaka and El Neny two other players in Martinelli and Saka who can keep the ball, and are always moving. So you can't pin them down, but they're always open for a pass. This also helped the CF who had options everytime he got the ball.
Our chance creation numbers are no fluke, it's what happens when you play the right profiles of players in the right position. Nelson replacing any of that 3 behind Laca won't change the way we play by much, because they all have the same profile. It isn't rocket science.
All we've asked of Arteta for months is what he did yesterday. It's no surprise we went out and dominated a very good Chelsea side. And we dominated em both offensively and defensively, without our best defender, attacker, and midfielder. Says a lot.
