Arsenal channelling Atletico Madrid, Dominik Szoboszlai a dream for Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool - The Radar
In The Radar, a new Sky Sports column, Nick Wright previews the return of the Premier League this weekend with a look at Arsenal's defensive prowess and Dominik Szoboszlai's outstanding start at Liverpool. Plus: an emotional milestone for David Brooks
Comment and Analysis @nicholaspwright
Thursday 23 November 2023 12:36, UK
Diego Simeone gave an impassioned defence of his footballing philosophy on Spanish radio show El Larguero last week in which he bemoaned the standard of defending in the Premier League.
«In English football, the games finish 4-4, 5-3, 6-2, 5-1,» said the Atletico Madrid boss. «It's beautiful for the fans. Almost all the games are like that, end-to-end. But nobody knows how to defend.»
It could be interpreted as a dig aimed at his old foe Pep Guardiola. He was speaking only days after Manchester City's distinctly un-Atletico-like eight-goal draw with Chelsea. But another thought sprang to mind: he should try watching Arsenal this season.
Mikel Arteta's side captivated fans with their exhilarating title charge last term. But having fallen painfully short, shipping 11 goals in a chaotic four-game winless run in April, their manager has shifted the emphasis dramatically in the new campaign.
«I feel like I'm watching a different team,» noted Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher recently. «They are more solid defensively, but they are not as fluid and they are not creating as many chances.»
From chaos to control. The change of tack was confirmed in conversation with Ben White last month. «We reviewed last season,» he told Sky Sports. «You see the games when you don't pick up the points when you probably should. Those games are so important.»
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