[THREAD] How Brighton beat Arsenal: Analysis

1. Nullifying Guendouzi
2. Using set pieces
3. Opposite movements from strikers

#BHAFC
1. Guendouzi provides Arsenal’s pivot in buildup play, with their back 3 rarely stepping in with the ball and instead preferring to progress through passing.

Trossard screened Guendouzi excellently in the first half.

#BHAFC
Per game, Guendouzi averages 52 passes received and progresses the ball 282 yards towards the opposition goal.

On Saturday he received just 40 passes and progressed the ball just 177 yards - 5 Arsenal players progressed the ball further.

Stifled.

#BHAFC
Per game, Guendouzi averages 52 passes received and progresses the ball 282 yards towards the opposition goal.On Saturday he received just 40 passes and progressed the ball just 177 yards - 5 Arsenal players progressed the ball further.Stifled. #BHAFC
Per game, Guendouzi averages 52 passes received and progresses the ball 282 yards towards the opposition goal.On Saturday he received just 40 passes and progressed the ball just 177 yards - 5 Arsenal players progressed the ball further.Stifled. #BHAFC
Consider that Arsenal had ~60% possession, it shows how well Brighton prevented Guendouzi from getting on the ball.

Per game he is involved in possessions averaging 0.34xG, but on Saturday was only involved in possessions totalling 0.16xG.

#BHAFC
2. Using set pieces

These were highlighted pre-match as a key tool to beat Arsenal, considering they are one of the worst in the league at defending them, and Brighton are one of the strongest attacking set piece sides.

#BHAFC https://twitter.com/albionanalytics/status/1273905210226851841">https://twitter.com/albionana...
Full analysis on Brighton’s attacking set piece threat. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🚩" title="Dreieckige Fahne an einem Pfosten" aria-label="Emoji: Dreieckige Fahne an einem Pfosten">

https://medium.com/@albionanalytics1/war-and-set-piece-brightons-outstanding-ability-to-create-but-not-convert-from-set-pieces-aa773535f58f

https://medium.com/@albionan... href="https://twtext.com//hashtag/BHAFC"> #BHAFC
War and Set Piece: Brighton’s outstanding ability to create - but not convert - from set pieces

Dead-ball situations have always been alive as a method of chance creation for teams, particularly for those at the wrong end of any table…

https://medium.com/@albionanalytics1/war-and-set-piece-brightons-outstanding-ability-to-create-but-not-convert-from-set-pieces-aa773535f58f
Brighton attempted exploit gaps between zonal markers with Gross on the pitch - given his set piece quality.

Though, understandably after 3 months off, his delivery was a bit rusty.

The aerial route proved fruitless.

#BHAFC
Brighton attempted exploit gaps between zonal markers with Gross on the pitch - given his set piece quality.Though, understandably after 3 months off, his delivery was a bit rusty.The aerial route proved fruitless. #BHAFC
Brighton attempted exploit gaps between zonal markers with Gross on the pitch - given his set piece quality.Though, understandably after 3 months off, his delivery was a bit rusty.The aerial route proved fruitless. #BHAFC
Instead, Brighton unlocked Arsenal’s 4-man zonal set-up through a short corner.

Trossard linked up with March to create a 2v1 to play him in-behind.

Maupay on Martinez meant he had to be marked, with his marker failing to step up + playing March onside.

#BHAFC
From there - you know the rest - but it was a clever move from Potter to look to play in-behind Arsenal’s zonal set-up.

Dunk was equally clever to react at speed to score. That goal puts him top of the English centre-back pile from a G/A perspective.

#BHAFC https://twitter.com/albionanalytics/status/1274414181580787714">https://twitter.com/albionana...
3. Opposite movements from strikers

Brighton used ‘opposite movements’ from Connolly and Maupay effectively in the reverse fixture, too, primarily with Maupay dropping in + Connolly running in-behind.

#BHAFC
The benefit of the opposite movements is that they disjoint the back line - a striker dropping in is likely to encourage the opposite CB to move with them to keep them marked.

This creates space in behind for the runner.

#BHAFC
Maupay’s ability to drop in to receive has been nothing short of quality this season - it was covered in an entire packing thread.

#BHAFC https://twitter.com/albionanalytics/status/1261305773717688325">https://twitter.com/albionana...
Therefore, the tactical decision to switch the players movements’ was clever, with Connolly playing in Maupay.

You’ll notice how high Arsenal’s line is too, which makes this pattern of play even more effective.

#BHAFC
Maupay leaving the ball late confuses the defenders and leaves them flat flooted - Maupay makes up the ~3 yard gap to Mustafi by the time he’s entered the box.

Of course, the Frenchman’s acceleration helps him here, too.

#BHAFC
The finish is by no means an easy one either - though it’s still a good quality chance (0.19xG).

On his *weak* foot it’s an even better finish, though Maupay has proved himself incredibly versatile when finishing this season.

#BHAFC https://twitter.com/albionanalytics/status/1274434290168860672">https://twitter.com/albionana...
The finish is by no means an easy one either - though it’s still a good quality chance (0.19xG).On his *weak* foot it’s an even better finish, though Maupay has proved himself incredibly versatile when finishing this season. #BHAFC https://twitter.com/albionana...
The finish is by no means an easy one either - though it’s still a good quality chance (0.19xG).On his *weak* foot it’s an even better finish, though Maupay has proved himself incredibly versatile when finishing this season. #BHAFC https://twitter.com/albionana...
A delightful ball from Mac Allister too - straight to Connolly’s back foot.

His ability to combine with a 9 was covered in a scout report on him.

#BHAFC https://twitter.com/albionanalytics/status/1274382015777865728">https://twitter.com/albionana...
Interestingly - the movements and pattern are incredibly similar to Connolly’s chance at Newcastle.

This just goes to show the entire move was by no means random or a fluke, but instead incredibly well rehearsed and practiced.

#BHAFC
Of course, there were some fantastic individual performances against Arsenal too - particularly from Yves Bissouma.

You can see all the players performances by numbers in this thread.

#BHAFC https://twitter.com/albionanalytics/status/1274629189589663744">https://twitter.com/albionana...
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