Frank Lampard says there's something you just can't do against Arsenal or they'll 'rip' you apart
Arsenal picked up a comfortable 3-0 win over Coventry City to kickstart the new season.
Frank Lampard would’ve known just how difficult a game against the Premier League champions at the Emirates Stadium was going to be, and his side didn’t stand a chance last night.
Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard all found the net before the 50th minute, and those goals were enough to seal the win.
After the game, Lampard heaped praise on the Gunners.
Frank Lampard says Arsenal will ‘rip’ teams apart if they are pressed high
High-pressing has become a very useful tactic in the modern game to cause problems for teams that play out from the back.
The intention isn’t really to dispossess the player in possession immediately, but to close down their passing angles, rush them to make a decision, and then eventually force an error.
Arsenal do that really well when they are pressing high, but teams who press them don’t usually have the same kind of success.
Why? Lampard believes it’s because the Gunners will just play through the press with ease and then rip teams apart when they find some space.
Speaking about Arsenal, Lampard said after the game, as relayed on HaytersTV: “They have a bit of everything. They are very, very good off the ball. They were the best out-of-possession team in the league last year, all the data backs it up. They close down all your passing angles very, very quickly.
“As they play, you can feel it on the side of the pitch: it’s a high technical level, the physicality about them, and a great way of playing.
“It’s very, very hard to high-press this team. They will play through you and rip through you.”
Why Arsenal will actually be even better than they were vs Coventry City
Arsenal were dominant from start to finish against Coventry City.
It really did look like the best team in the country was playing against a newly promoted side, and the Gunners could’ve and probably should’ve scored more goals.
However, the champions blew Coventry away without having Bruno Guimaraes, William Saliba and Jurrien Timber in their squad. Viktor Gyokeres didn’t play a minute either, and neither did Max Dowman.
When Mikel Arteta has everyone fit and available, it is obvious that Arsenal will be a much stronger team, which is a daunting prospect for any opponent.
That is why everyone thinks they are the favourites to retain the title.
