[FM11] Emulate The (Better) Arsenal Tactic

[muhammadrizka]

*Updated 13/09/2011
Hi everyone! I started this thread intends to discuss the possibility to emulating Arsenal tactics in order to achieve the best results than has happened in real life. Based with team play philosophy of course, statistics, and final result in real life, then tweaked into FM gameplay to achieve a more successful outcome. There are many great thread that gave their best effort by reviewing Arsenal tactics who has given me inspiration as well. Any advice, suggestion, constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated, so the tactic can reach its full potential Okay lets begin.


PS: Apologize with my bad english


INTRODUCTION

The season has ended, arsenal underwent successful season with all the advantages and drawbacks. But of course, fans always want more (include myself). So I decided to emulate the better Arsenal tactic.

Three points my main focus :

1. Possession (pass rate)
2. Attacking (CCC)
3. Defending (goal concede)

In my opinion, the team who controling possession in a match is a team with a big chance of winning the match. Passing the ball, keep the ball well & patience is the key. But certainly it would be useless, since they only passing around without creating opportunities. And the last, sector of the defense. As we all know, Arsenal defense is very disappointing last season. So create a maximum balance of three things above.

PHILOSOPHY

Like all club with possession based. Fluid, the mentality settings are closer together and the players are trusted to use their own judgement as to what they do. Short passing, creative play, and controling game is a must.

FORMATION

The 4-2-3-1 with two Wingback. Will be transform more likely 2-4-3-1 when attack, keep possession by adding a player(Wingback) in the middle.
Create triangles between players position. And I push more high defensive line than real life to play more press, and get the ball back quickly.

STATISTICS *Updated

*Full Season League.

1. Possession

• Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle = 602 pass, 73% possession
• Wigan 0-2 Arsenal = 585 pass, 70% possession
• Arsenal 2-0 Wolves = 605 pass, 77% possession
• Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal = 470 pass, 58% possession
• Arsenal 1-0 Blackburn = 523 pass, 69% possession
• West Ham 0-0 Arsenal = 483 pass, 62% possession
• Man City 1-2 Arsenal = 424 pass, 59% possession
• Arsenal 3-0 Everton = 431 pass, 62% possession
• Blackpool 1-4 Arsenal = 388 pass, 55% possession
• Fulham 2-3 Arsenal = 423 pass, 64% possession
• Arsenal 3-0 Sunderland = 514 pass, 69% possession
• Arsenal 2-0 Stoke = 585 pass, 79% possession
• West Brom 0-3 Arsenal = 530 pass, 69% possession
• Arsenal 3-0 Birmingham = 491 pass, 67% possession
• Bolton 1-3 Arsenal = 417 pass, 55% possession
• Arsenal 3-0 Tottenham = 449 pass, 63% possession
• Chelsea 1-0 Arsenal = 447 pass, 57% possession
• Man United 2-2 Arsenal = 483 pass, 63% possession
• Arsenal 4-1 Liverpool = 384 pass, 58% possession
• Newcastle 2-2 Arsenal = 503 pass, 65% possession
• Arsenal 3-0 Wigan = 470 pass, 70% possession
• Wolves 1-2 Arsenal = 500 pass, 66% possession
• Arsenal 4-2 Aston Villa = 436 pass, 53% possession
• Arsenal 3-0 West Ham = 366 pass, 57% possession
• Blackburn 1-2 Arsenal = 410 pass, 58% possession
• Arsenal 1-0 Man City = 552 pass, 62% possession
• Arsenal 4-1 Fulham = 505 pass, 68% possession
• Sunderland 2-3 Arsenal = 488 pass, 65% possession
• Everton 2-3 Arsenal = 461 pass, 59% possession
• Arsenal 3-1 Blackburn = 530 pass, 70% possession
• Stoke 1-2 Arsenal = 489 pass, 65% possession
• Arsenal 3-0 West Brom = 454 pass, 66% possession
• Birmingham 1-3 Arsenal = 480 pass, 65% possession
• Arsenal 2-1 Bolton = 493 pass, 65% possession
• Tottenham 2-1 Arsenal = 519 pass, 61% possession
• Arsenal 1-0 Man United = 546 pass, 69% possession
• Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal = 467 pass, 55% possession
• Arsenal 3-2 Chelsea = 456 pass, 64% possession

Average = 483 pass per match, 65% possession per match.

2. Attacking

• Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle = 22 shoot, 7 on target, 1 CCC
• Wigan 0-2 Arsenal = 12 shoot, 5 on target, 3 CCC
• Arsenal 2-0 Wolves = 24 shoot, 8 on target, 5 CCC
• Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal = 9 shoot, 4 on target, 3 CCC
• Arsenal 1-0 Blackburn = 12 shoot, 3 on target, 1 CCC
• West Ham 0-0 Arsenal = 9 shoot, 1 on target, 2 CCC
• Man City 1-2 Arsenal = 9 shoot, 5 on target, 1 CCC
• Arsenal 3-0 Everton = 14 shoot, 5 on target, 2 CCC
• Blackpool 1-4 Arsenal = 12 shoot, 9 on target, 2 CCC
• Fulham 2-3 Arsenal = 13 shoot, 7 on target, 3 CCC
• Arsenal 3-0 Sunderland = 14 shoot, 5 on target, 3 CCC
• Arsenal 2-0 Stoke = 17 shoot, 8 on target, 4 CCC
• West Brom 0-3 Arsenal = 10 shoot, 4 on target, 5 CCC
• Arsenal 3-0 Birmingham = 21 shoot, 5 on target, 1 CCC
• Bolton 1-3 Arsenal = 12 shoot, 7 on target, 2 CCC
• Arsenal 3-0 Tottenham = 18 shoot, 8 on target, 1 CCC
• Chelsea 1-0 Arsenal = 6 shoot, 2 on target, 2 CCC
• Man United 2-2 Arsenal = 9 shoot, 6 on target, 3 CCC
• Arsenal 4-1 Liverpool = 12 shoot, 6 on target, 3 CCC
• Newcastle 2-2 Arsenal = 14 shoot, 10 on target, 2 CCC
• Arsenal 3-0 Wigan = 26 shoot, 13 on target, 3 CCC
• Wolves 1-2 Arsenal = 16 shoot, 8 on target, 0 CCC
• Arsenal 4-2 Aston Villa = 11 shoot, 7 on target, 5 CCC
• Arsenal 3-0 West Ham = 20 shoot, 8 on target, 6 CCC
• Blackburn 1-2 Arsenal = 6 shoot, 2 on target, 1 CCC
• Arsenal 1-0 Man City = 3 shoot, 2 on target, 1 CCC
• Arsenal 4-1 Fulham = 17 shoot, 8 on target, 7 CCC
• Sunderland 2-3 Arsenal = 15 shoot, 8 on target, 5 CCC
• Everton 2-3 Arsenal = 10 shoot, 6 on target, 5 CCC
• Arsenal 3-1 Blackburn = 12 shoot, 8 on target, 4 CCC
• Stoke 1-2 Arsenal = 14 shoot, 6 on target, 2 CCC
• Arsenal 3-0 West Brom = 13 shoot, 6 on target, 1 CCC
• Birmingham 1-3 Arsenal = 15 shoot, 7 on target, 1 CCC
• Arsenal 2-1 Bolton = 16 shoot, 4 on target, 5 CCC
• Tottenham 2-1 Arsenal = 7 shoot, 5 on target, 1 CCC
• Arsenal 1-0 Man United = 15 shoot, 5 on target, 1 CCC
• Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal = 6 shoot, 2 on target, 2 CCC
• Arsenal 3-2 Chelsea = 8 shoot, 5 on target, 3 CCC

PLAYERS ROLE

GK. Sweeper Goalkeeper.
Fabianski

30 pass per match

WBL/WBR
Clichy/Sagna

As in real life and to know the reason Wenger let's Clichy out from the club. WBL role act with little creative freedom than WBR (Sagna). And stick on the position to compensate for Sagna movement on the right who played more risky leaving his post. Higher creative freedom make Sagna play with higher mobility.
54 pass per match/65 pass per match.

DC (Central Defender/Ball Playing Defender)
Koscielny/Vermaeleen

I think in real life Arsenal play marking zone with not too high defensive line. In FM, I push defensive line high and give more closing down instructions to make pressing the opponent forward. Yes, there is risk with leave gap behind. But the statistics showing this pretty good.
41 pass per match/44 pass per match

Deep Lying Mid/Ball Winning Mid
Wilshere/A. Song

The Double Pivot. This partnership still often contains one player who is more defensive-minded than the other, but both players are allowed to go on attacking runs.
Alex Song took the role more defensive-minded, holding the ball, passer, sometimes even act as an anchorman with rarely to go attacking runs. This is different what he's doing in real life, Song gifted high creative freedom to make forward run often who give the team trouble when counter attack happen.
Wilshere more normal duty. Box to box role. Exchange position with Fabregas sometimes.
32 pass per match/55 pass per match

Inside Forward
Nasri/Walcott

According passing statistic. Nasri/Rosicky take this slot more as Adv. Playmaker than Inside Forward. Comes deep get ball, pass, create chance, than run with ball, cutting inside as Walcott did.
49 pass per match/28 pass per match

'Cesc Role' (Adv. Playmaker)
Fabregas

The Creator, Classic 10, False 10, or whatever you say.
50 pass per match

Complete Forward
RVP

30 pass per match

CONCLUSION *Updated

Gorgeous result. First season no transfer signing, won EPL and League Cup with 90 goal and 28 conceded on the league. In terms of control the ball we have great possession number. So far this the best balance between 3 points(possession, attack, defend) I can reach.
But maybe the tactics have been developed better by your own.

English Premier League = 1st position
UEFA Champions League = Qtr Final (lose against Barcelona)
F.A Cup = Semifinal (lose against Man City)
League Cup = Winner

Download tactic available below.
Arsenal v1 (Arsenal, Jan 2011).tac‎
Cheers.

Some helpful advice :

1. Pitch size : Default as you start the game with Arsenal.
2. O.I : Important part as the tactics. Certain players will need specific marking, closing down and tackling solutions. Give your time to identifying who is considered to be the opposition’s main weapon. Therefore using too many at once may radically change the dynamic of the team, or end up giving your players conflicting instructions.
   • Striker : Pacey, High Flair, Tehnique ==> Tight Marking Always Only, (Weaker Foot Optional). Strong, Good Header Ability, Slow ==> Tight Marking Always, Closing Down Always, Weaker Foot, (Hard tackling Optional)
   • Winger : Pacey, Dribbler==> Tight Marking Always, Weaker Foot. Good Long Shot ==> Plus Closing Down Always.
   • Midfielder : Playmaker Style==> Tight Marking Always, Closing Down Always, Weaker Foot. Deep-lying/Defensive Mid./Anchorman==> Closing Down Always, Weaker Foot, (Hard Tackling Optional)
   • Defender : Ball Playing Def.==> (Weaker Foot Optional)
3. Match preparation : Give overload workload and team blend focus for the pre-season time. After that back to medium with attack movement focus for whole season.
4. No touchline instructions. Be carefull with press conference and team talk as the team potential to become complacent. Always replace a player with rating 6.0 below.

Additional Review
What Walcott doing in several early games this season?
Henry Role: is it possible for now ?

The New Project
Emulate Arsenal Season 03/04 (The Invincibles) posted on 13/09/2011
Arsenal Passing (Classic Tactic)posted on 24/10/2011

 

[vintage75020]

do you use oi touchline ?

 

[muhammadrizka]

do you use oi touchline ?

I using OI in my other thread.

Opposition Instructions :

1. Striker : Pacey, High Flair, Tehnique ==> Tight Marking Always Only, (Weaker Foot Optional). Strong, Good Header Ability, Slow ==> Tight Marking Always, Closing Down Always, Weaker Foot, (Hard tackling Optional)
2. Winger : Pacey, Dribbler==> Tight Marking Always, Weaker Foot. Good Long Shot ==> Plus Closing Down Always.
3. Midfielder : Playmaker Style==> Tight Marking Always, Closing Down Always, Weaker Foot. Deep-lying/Defensive Mid./Anchorman==> Closing Down Always, Weaker Foot, (Hard Tackling Optional)
4. Defender : Ball Playing Def.==> (Weaker Foot Optional)

 

[knuckleguy]

Great tactic mate! Unbeaten using it with Arsenal so far. Keep up the good work!

 

[muhammadrizka]

Update whole season mate

Cheers.

---------- Post added at 10:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:29 PM ----------

Great tactic mate! Unbeaten using it with Arsenal so far. Keep up the good work!

Thanks for using the tactic
Cheers.

---------- Post added 27/08/2011 at 10:28 AM ---------- Previous post was 26/08/2011 at 10:32 PM ----------

 

[nSickboy]

Great OP, and although I still didn't test the tactic it looks pretty awesome. Too bad these days users don't stop by and like the tactic or rate it, most of them just download it and play with it, but if your tactic doesn't work with their team they will definitely reply with **** about it, but if it works they will be too busy playing with the tactic instead of thanking the creator of it.

Anyways, I hope to see more from you in the forums .

 

[muhammadrizka]

Great OP, and although I still didn't test the tactic it looks pretty awesome. Too bad these days users don't stop by and like the tactic or rate it, most of them just download it and play with it, but if your tactic doesn't work with their team they will definitely reply with **** about it, but if it works they will be too busy playing with the tactic instead of thanking the creator of it.

Anyways, I hope to see more from you in the forums .

Thanks for support mate

Yeah, very true what you say. I created thread not just share my tactic to play, but more to open discuss to make the tactic better. So lets see how the users feedback to improve the tactic

 

[knuckleguy]

One thing i notice is that although fabregas gets many touches on the ball, he doesnt seem to be making as many killer balls as he does in real life. Maybe you could look into that?

 

[Typenamehere]

One thing i notice is that although fabregas gets many touches on the ball, he doesnt seem to be making as many killer balls as he does in real life. Maybe you could look into that?

I'm sure teaching him the 'try killer balls' PPM would solve that (Unless he already has it of course?)

 

[muhammadrizka]

One thing i notice is that although fabregas gets many touches on the ball, he doesnt seem to be making as many killer balls as he does in real life. Maybe you could look into that?

Possibility that caused by Wilshere role, in this tactic Fabregas swapping position with Wilshere sometimes to accomodate what Fabregas doing with his free role in real life. Wilshere role (box to box) would changing become Deep-lying Forw. as Fabregas swap with Wilshere (change of role is also determined by the preferred move player itself, like Wilshere have 'Get Forward Whenever Possible', and Fabregas have 'Comes deep to get ball' etc). But Wilshere role in this case making through ball sometimes than Fabregas role in Adv. Playmaker (before swap). This is what causes Fabregas looks rarely make killer balls.

Give through ball often in Wilshere role, and increase the pass more direct in Wilshere role also Fabregas role maybe fix that. But maybe would make bad changes in the movement of other players also in the field.

This statistics team assist. I think Fabregas doing well.

 

[chris654321]

This tactic absolutely dominates in possession It plays lovely football and is getting the results for me. My only gripe is the striker isn't scoring too much for me, but that could be because they are not the RVP complete forward types.

I think with this tactic, Laffles role for Messi might suit it up front so I'm putting that in, but once again I don't have the player to suit it so it won't be as effective

Thumbs up for the tactic though

 

[muhammadrizka]

Yeah, there is no players with special job to score. Possession mean team work. Players movement, when opportunity comes, each player of each position will score goals. So, all players to contribute.
However, Chamakh also scored many goals as RVP get long injury in my game. And Rhys Murphy showing a lot potential also (5 caps 3 goal 1 assist).

Will be interesting to putting Messi role in this tactic

Wants to be Wenger. Profit, profit, and profit.

OOT: Old Trafford pain. Very bad defense I have ever seen

 

[chris654321]

I tried the Messi role but with no joy However I do think it was down to having Darren Bent and Nathan Delfouneso trying to pull it off

I might start a new game with a bigger team with a striker who could play the Messi role to see how it fits

 

[muhammadrizka]

Hahaha,
Just wondering to put messi role in my arsenal game. Nasri or Hazard. Will give the report if works

 

[Subtle]

Testing this tactic out as I've always struggled to create one that play nice flowing football, gets good possession and scores goals.

Going well atm but I've scored more goals from set pieces than open play so far :S

 

[muhammadrizka]

Testing this tactic out as I've always struggled to create one that play nice flowing football, gets good possession and scores goals.

Going well atm but I've scored more goals from set pieces than open play so far :S

You use Arsenal as well?

Struggling to put Messi role to this tactic, still no results.

 

[fredcosta]

I have only tried it for a few games(5), and so far so good.

I noticed a few things:
1) the defence is excelent;
2) the gameplay is very attractive, lots of ball control and the passing is always towards the goal;
3) the team takes a bit more time to adapt to this tactic than others;
4) the set pieces were a bit less efficient than I'm used to with other tactics (especially in corners, I'm used to scoring at least 1 goal in each 4/5 corners, I'll try to improve this);
5) the Lone Striker scores very few goals (perhaps adopting the Pele role can improve this)

Overall I've only tested it for very few games, I'll try some more during the weekend, but this tactic is the one that presented the most enjoyable gameplay.

So I'll try to adopt it.

Excellent work.

One final question - Is your tactic related to this tactic? http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/foot...cs-training/51110-real-arsenal-4-2-3-1-a.html if so, which is the latest? (because your tactics is v1, and in matralux's site the tactic is v1.02).

 

[muhammadrizka]

Excellent feedback from you also mate

Point 4 & 5.
4) I also have several scenarios in set pieces. But because sum people always say that it's cheating, so I leave the set pieces as default (although I disagree with that opinion).
5) Hmmm yeah agree with that, eventhough I'm satisfied with his performance. But thats really need improve in future.

About mantralux's site, yes I having a lot of inspiration from mantralux. I adopt sum aspect to be implemented to this tactic as well. But just a theory. Others is 100% my hand product.

So, I think this tactic doesn't to be related with mantralux

---------- Post added 03/09/2011 at 02:31 PM ---------- Previous post was 02/09/2011 at 08:39 PM ----------

What Walcott doing in several early games this season?

Walcott's performance recently looks quite promising. Walcott movement for early season, He's running forward to do more often than last season. Walcott move from right wing and cutting inside into box to get some through ball while RVP(lone striker) going deep to pull out opponent defender.

So, I trying to tweak what Walcott did into this tactic. With the game limitations, I've found some difficulties to simulate much like in real life. But if only similar in the line is enough for me. And the important is, the tweaking perform good into this tactic.

Walcott Role

I always play Walcott as Inside Forward(right) with this tactic. Nothing special treatment in this position, the PI just same like Inside Forward in left slot.
But now to accommodate the Walcott movement, we need to make some changes for several position. Related with the lone striker role (RVP), and of course the Walcott role itself (Inside Forw. Right). Don't worry, this just little changes and wouldn't disturb the base tactic.

This is Walcott Role in v1.

He's make run forward sometimes. Mixed cross ball, free to cross from deep or byline. And cut inside for wide play. Now, see the picture below after some tweaked.

This three point has been changing.
Run from deep turn more often. Walcott will be encouraged to do run forward more often than before, with the instructions of byline crossing. Not let him release the ball before reaching the forefront.
And as I said before, Walcott real life movement looks like always go forward into box with no ball. So, I prefer to give move into channels instead cuting inside for his wide play. For me, cut inside instructions likely "dribble ball inside" than "moving inside".

And about Lone Striker role.

To making the lone striker comes deep to pull out defense position. I prefer with that instructions. Mentality still attack(come on this is striker, so no defensive mentality), and what we played theres on the run from deep. Set sometimes to make him free when running back and running forward. I also added a few clicks on the passing, to increase the range of pass when Walcott break channels.

Now time to show off

This is what will happen in the field. I trying in my 2nd season with Arsenal. Put Chamakh as lone striker, and Alex Chamberlain as 'Walcott role'.
Scenario 1

The picture show Chamakh comes deep to receive pass from Lansbury. When Chamberlain ready to move forward.
Chamakh looks hold the ball waiting Chamberlain making moves.

Through ball released by Chamakh. Chamberlain run into box, and thats not offside.

Scenario 2

Now Ramsey to be creator. Again Chamakh pulled back, hold the ball.
Chamberlain going forward into box. Creating chance just like first scenario.

But Chamakh decided to send ball back. While Chamberlain gained a good position if Chamakh make through ball.

After all, I think Walcott movement has been successfully applied into this tactic.
This is the game statistics.

Alex Chamberlain who put in 'Walcott role' slot, become MOTM in this match. The little pass rate showing that he always run forward looking space, than deep to passing around.
Excellent results and sorry for too many pictures. Just to make this review easy to understand. Hope you like it.
Cheers.

 

[SS19]

If wanting to replicate Arsenal, I would use Walcott's run with ball as sometimes. If replicating isn't what you are trying to do, then rarely is fine, creates better passing game.

 

[muhammadrizka]

I've tried several setup about run with ball. Arsenal generally play with one touch pass. They always produce 500+ pass per game. In FM that some of difficult things to do if you allowed (even for some player) to keep ball running with them. So, I choose to give walcott rare with ball. And when in game, I think Walcott looks have run with ball sometimes, of course if there is an opportunity.

Nah, if Walcott is Messi, then I make sometimes

More important is to have statistics similar to real life and keep it balance.