Europe • Mid-block
Arsenal's mid-block tweaks vs Bayern
Plan to cut Bayern’s central supply, isolate Kane, and counter with control.
Locking the source
Ödegaard positions to shade the lane into Kimmich; Saka presses outside-in, forcing Bayern to the flank and lowering their build-up rhythm.
Isolating Kane
Saliba and Gabriel defend zonally at 8–10m spacing, limiting Kane’s back-to-goal touches; Rice drops as a screen in front of the box.
Countering through inner channels
On regain, Martinelli attacks the half-space, Jesus drifts wide to open the lane for Zinchenko/White; finish with cut-backs instead of early crosses.
Target metrics
Keep Bayern under 1.2 xG, create at least 0.8 xG from organized counters, hold Kane to fewer than 5 touches in the box.