Arsenal's Tactical Evolution: NFL Influences in Premier League Football

On Sunday, Arsenal secured a 2-1 victory over Newcastle. Despite Arsenal's creation of numerous opportunities, it was notable that all three goals in the match stemmed from set-piece routines.

Fans have often expressed a sentiment that football has lost some of its allure, as star players appear to have diminished freedom and space to showcase their skills during open play. However, current professionals argue that the quality of players, tactics, and coaching staff has reached unprecedented levels.

Both perspectives can coexist. The increasing structure and choreography in football, reminiscent of American football, may help explain this phenomenon. This article explores the tactical strategies employed by Premier League teams that mirror trends seen in the NFL.

‘American Football is Like Every Football Play Being a Set-Piece’

In a recent interview, Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay compared football to the NFL, stating, “The closest thing to what American football is, is if every [football] play was a set-piece. Every play represents a set-piece for us.”

Set-pieces are gaining prominence, and if we take McVay's expert perspective into account, the Premier League is increasingly resembling the NFL. Corners, free-kicks, throw-ins, and even kick-off situations are being prioritized more than in previous seasons.

So far this season, 28.4% of Premier League goals have originated from set-pieces, marking the highest percentage in the last decade. Additionally, 3.2% of goals have come from throw-ins, also the highest in the past ten years.

It is noteworthy that McVay made these observations, given his friendship with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. Both are young coaches at the forefront of tactical innovation in their respective sports and have exchanged ideas.

In recent seasons, Arsenal has excelled at scoring from set-pieces. Since the beginning of the 2023-24 season, they have netted 36 goals from corners in the Premier League, outpacing any other team by 15 goals during this period.

It is plausible that Arteta and others have drawn inspiration from teams like the LA Rams to enhance their set-piece effectiveness.

What NFL Tactics Are Influencing Football?

As teams increasingly prioritize set-pieces with notable success, what specific strategies are they employing that resemble NFL tactics?

Teams are now instructing players to run pre-determined routes during set-pieces to create space for open targets. This marks a shift from the less choreographed routines of the past, which typically focused on crossing the ball into specific zones and relying on physicality to win headers.

A closer examination of set-plays reveals similarities in player movement between the two sports. In the NFL, 'rub routes' involve offensive players making movements that indirectly obstruct the path of defenders, thereby creating opportunities for teammates, especially against man-to-man coverage.

Gabriel scored the decisive goal against Newcastle, but it was William Saliba's off-the-ball movement that played a crucial role. The French center-back made a forward run that indirectly obstructed goalkeeper Nick Pope's path, preventing him from claiming the cross. This tactic mirrors the indirect blocking seen in NFL rub routes.

Moreover, deliberate blocking is becoming more common in the Premier League. Teams are placing players strategically in front of goalkeepers to impede their movement and ability to defend against set-plays. For instance, Chelsea's success with three corners against West Ham earlier this season was partly due to Liam Delap's role in obstructing goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, akin to the off-ball blocking seen in the NFL.

Crystal Palace's goal against West Ham also demonstrated deliberate blocking reminiscent of basketball. At the far post, Adam Wharton positioned himself to block Marc Guehi's marker, allowing Palace's captain to break free and score unmarked. This tactic closely resembles 'screening' in basketball, where a player stands still to obstruct a defender's movement, facilitating space for teammates.

The Growing Influence of Football Coaches

What differentiates football from other sports is the multitude of factors at play, making comprehensive preparation challenging. In contrast to sports like tennis or the NFL, which consist of a series of 'mini-games,' football involves 22 players moving freely across a large pitch, leading to frequent shifts in the game's dynamics.

McVay acknowledges the difference in control between the sports, stating, “What I think is so impressive about what [Arteta] does is he’s translating a vision of how we [coaches] want to see the game, while giving players ownership and autonomy based on the flow of the game.”

This variability enhances the enjoyment of football for fans but introduces uncertainties that some managers may wish to mitigate. Coaches like Enzo Maresca and Mikel Arteta tend to fall into this category.

Both Maresca and Arteta favor dominating possession, allowing their teams to control the game away from their own goal. In previous seasons, Arteta's approach has been described as pragmatic, given the cautious nature of their attacking play despite dominating possession.

By adopting a more conservative style in open play, teams can minimize uncertainties before capitalizing on safer, more structured aspects of the game, such as set-pieces. The structured nature of these scenarios allows teams to prepare more effectively in the days leading up to a match, anticipating opponents' setups and weaknesses.

This season, Arsenal has begun to implement riskier and more incisive passing, particularly through the midfield, which merits recognition. However, the challenge of balancing risk with control remains a concern for managers throughout the league.

Overall, it appears that by maximizing these structured game situations, managers are exerting a greater influence on the game, much like their NFL counterparts.

Arsenal's Tactical Evolution: NFL Influences in Premier League Football

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