Arteta’s Tactical Shifts and What He Must Learn from Wenger's Arsenal to Beat Real Madrid"

 

In Arsenal's 1-1 draw against Everton on April 5, 2025, manager Mikel Arteta was forced to make several positional changes due to a number of key injuries. While these adjustments were necessary, they raised questions about Arteta's tactical decisions and what he needs to do to ensure success in the upcoming Champions League quarter-final clash against Real Madrid. Notably, some players were deployed in positions far from their usual roles, leading to both praise and criticism.

Players Out of Position

1. Thomas Partey (Right-back)

Traditionally a central midfielder, Thomas Partey was unexpectedly deployed as a right-back in the absence of regular options like Ben White and Jurrien Timber. This shift from his usual role left many questioning whether Arteta’s decision would affect the balance of the team. While Partey’s versatility is well-known, right-back is not his natural position, and it showed at times during the match. His defensive positioning and ability to link up play in attack were compromised, making it a tough task to contain Everton's wingers.

2. Myles Lewis-Skelly (Left-back)

Myles Lewis-Skelly, known for his role as a central midfielder, was asked to play as a left-back. This was another tactical move by Arteta to cover the defensive gaps caused by injuries. Although the young player showed promise, his natural instinct as a midfielder meant that he was often caught out of position and lacked the attacking flair that a dedicated left-back would typically provide. His challenge in adapting to the role contributed to Everton's ability to exploit the left side.

3. Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard (Bench Roles)

Both Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard were notably left on the bench for the start of the game. Saka, still recovering from a hamstring injury, was introduced in the second half, while Ødegaard also entered the fray later. Their absence from the starting lineup made it difficult for Arsenal to control the tempo of the game, as both players are typically central to the team's creative and attacking play. Arteta will need to ensure that these key players are fit and ready to play pivotal roles against Real Madrid.

What Arteta Must Do to Beat Real Madrid

Looking ahead to the Real Madrid encounter, Arteta faces significant challenges, especially in terms of player availability and tactical setup. Here are a few things he must focus on to secure a victory:

1. Solidify the Defensive Line

Arsenal cannot afford to experiment with players in unfamiliar positions against the likes of Real Madrid. The team's defense has looked shaky in recent matches, especially with makeshift options like Partey at right-back. Arteta needs to have his first-choice defenders fit and firing for the Madrid clash, ensuring stability at the back while also maintaining a strong counter-attacking threat.

2. Maximize Saka and Ødegaard’s Impact

Both Saka and Ødegaard are key to Arsenal’s attacking game. Against Real Madrid, Arteta must ensure that these two are in peak form and can exploit the space that the Spanish giants often leave open in their defensive transitions. Saka’s pace and Ødegaard’s playmaking abilities could prove to be decisive in breaking down Madrid’s defense.

3. Control the Midfield

Real Madrid’s midfield, led by the experienced Luka Modrić and Casemiro, is one of the most formidable in Europe. Arteta will need to ensure that Arsenal’s midfield, with the likes of Partey and Martinelli, is able to disrupt Madrid’s rhythm and dominate possession. The Gunners must stay compact and organized, while also being bold in their pressing game to force Madrid into mistakes.

4. Leverage Tactical Flexibility

Arteta should not hesitate to switch up tactics, as he did against Everton, but these changes must be well-planned and not out of necessity due to injuries. Against Madrid, a solid structure is needed—whether Arteta plays a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1—Arsenal must remain disciplined and not allow Real Madrid to dictate the pace.

Lessons from Arsène Wenger’s Arsenal

During Arsène Wenger’s reign at Arsenal, he often took bold and creative risks, especially with young talent. However, one thing that consistently worked against him was the balance between defensive solidity and attacking flair. Arteta needs to learn from Wenger’s experiences, particularly in how Wenger would sometimes overly trust in his attacking players, neglecting the importance of a well-drilled defense.

Wenger's famous “Invincibles” season showed that success in Europe and domestically comes from balancing both the defense and attack effectively. Arteta must avoid making the same mistakes that Wenger sometimes did—playing too expansively, leaving gaps in defense, and underestimating the importance of a robust defensive structure, particularly against European giants like Real Madrid.

Arteta must also be wary of playing too many players out of position, a pitfall that Wenger occasionally fell into when his squad was stretched thin. While tactical flexibility is crucial, being forced to adapt players to unfamiliar roles can weaken the team's overall performance, especially against top-tier opposition.

As Arsenal prepares for their Champions League clash with Real Madrid, Mikel Arteta must learn from both his own experiences and the legacy of Arsène Wenger. Key players must return to their preferred positions, and tactical discipline will be critical to Arsenal’s chances of securing a result. Arteta must avoid over-experimenting with his lineup and instead focus on getting the best out of his available talent. By ensuring that the team plays with structure and purpose, Arteta can hope to overcome the challenge posed by one of Europe’s most elite clubs.