There are a lot of opinions about Arsenal floating around right now, and many of them are nowhere close to the truth.
That is exactly what creates bizarre narratives on social media, where people repeat claims about Mikel Arteta’s side without actually watching them regularly.
Sometimes, even pundits and managers fall into that trap as well.
Now, it seems Liverpool boss Arne Slot has done exactly that with one of the strangest comments anyone has made about Arsenal this season.
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Arne Slot says Arsenal spend large parts of games defending in a low block
Arsenal have been one of the best teams in Europe this season, both in and out of possession.
The Gunners are currently top of the Premier League table and are also preparing for a Champions League final.
Much of their success has come from the balance Arteta has created between attacking quality and defensive stability.
However, Slot appears to believe Arsenal’s defensive work is built around regularly sitting deep in a low block.
Speaking recently, the Dutchman said, as per The Metro: “The team that is going to win the league, at least I assume, I think Arsenal is going to win the league, is a team that has large spells in a game where they have to defend in a low block.
“And they do that really well, by the way. That’s also one of the reasons why they’re going to win the league.”
It is certainly an interesting assessment from Slot, especially considering how Arsenal usually approach games under Arteta.
Arne Slot is completely wrong about Arsenal
The idea that Arsenal regularly spend games defending in a low block honestly makes no sense at all.
If anything, the Gunners are usually the team trying to break down low blocks almost every single week.
Arteta’s men dominate possession in most matches and spend huge periods camped inside the opposition half.
Even when Arsenal are pushed back temporarily during games, those moments are usually brief rather than a consistent tactical approach.
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The data completely destroys Slot’s argument too.
Arsenal have the fourth-highest average possession in the Premier League this season, which is not something associated with teams that primarily defend deep. (Fbref)
Earlier in the campaign, data also showed Arsenal had the highest defensive line in the league.
That is literally the opposite of how low-block teams play.
Slot is an excellent manager, but this comment genuinely feels like it came from somebody who has not watched Arsenal closely enough this season.
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