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Manchester City’s ability to manipulate pressure was once again on display, but this time the key was their use of the right side through Rayan Cherki. City consistently found a way to expose the space left behind Declan Rice, turning what should have been defensive aggression into a structural weakness.
Arsenal’s press, usually one of their greatest strengths, became disjointed. The timing and coordination were off with individual players using different pressing systems.
As Nico O'Reilly explained: “It was to find the space in the right with Rayan Cherki. We’ve seen the spaces there because [Declan] Rice likes to jump into Rodri or Bernardo [Silva]. We’ve seen Cherki is the free man and that’s where the goals came from – the right side – so it worked.”
This analysis will focus on how City repeatedly targeted that free man on the right, why Arsenal’s press failed to deal with it, and how Arsenal's usual strength became a weakness.
## From Hybrid Control to Man-to-Man Aggression
Before analysing the game, it is important to understand Arsenal’s usual pressing patterns. They operate from a hybrid structure, often maintaining a numerical advantage with a plus one, before quickly shifting into a man-to-man press. This transition is typically triggered by Declan Rice, whose aggressive jump forward initiates the press and prompts an Arsenal defender to step out from the defensive line. This space behind Rice is where Man City looked to exploit.
In the example below, we want to highlight Rice's jump and Gabriel's follow-up, while also noting the positions of Saka and Martinelli. The deeper positions allow the central press and add security behind the ball.
Another example, this time with the wide press. Saka and Martinelli join the first line of the press, and Hincapiie is expected to jump to support Rice, who has a potential 2v1 against him. Keep these presses in mind as we look at the Man City game and remember O'Reilly's comments on how they want to exploit the space behind Rice.
## Pep's Plan
Pep wanted to use Cherki around the space that Rice would occupy. If Rice followed Rodri or Silva, Cherki would be free and vice versa. Zubimenedi's out-of-possession role was heavily focused on the inverted Nico O'Reilly. This left Rice stretched, a role he is used to, but Man City targeted the space he had to cover.
Example: O'Reilly inverts, and Zubimendi marks. A 3v2 develops as Cherki drifts wide. Rice and Trossard are stretched to mark three players.
Zubimendi's fixation on O'Reilly stretched Rice and Trossard. Without Odegaard, the press on the first line did not dictate to the players behind where they could shut off passing lanes. Under a normal wide press, Trossard would be ready to jump, and as he does, Saka would drop as Havertz looks to dictate play one way.
How it should look
• Havertz dictates play one way
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