The Tactic I Made to FIX Arsenal in Football Manager 2024 | FM24 Tactics (WINS QUADRUPLE).
The Tactic I Made to FIX Arsenal in Football Manager 2024 | FM24 Tactics
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Arsenal, at the time of writing, currently sit 3rd in the Premier League in an underwhelming season thus far where they may have already relinquished any chance of the title to Liverpool, who sit top of league, with a significant 11-point difference between the two sides as we tick in 2025. A lot of this, in my opinion, is due to Arsenal’s overreliance on (what I call) ‘Marginal Gains’ football. What I mean by this is that, in my opinion, Arsenal have been focusing too much on winning games through marginal victories, such as their immense quality from set-pieces and overall defensive discipline in possession; This is in stark contrast to their 2022/23 side, where Arsenal were arguably the best, and most exciting, team to watch in Europe. Due to this, I believe Arsenal’s in-possession ventures have deteriorated.
In this article, I’ll be going through the tactic I created in Football
Manager 2024 to mitigate this and will be giving my brief analysis of the
positives of this Arsenal side, and how I looked to amplify these positives.
Firstly, let’s look at the core principles of this system!
When watching Arsenal games from the last year or two, I’ve been particularly impressed with their right-side rotations and overloads – White, Ødegaard and Saka being crucial to this. Therefore, I wanted to replicate these overloads and rotations on the right-hand side. Along with this, I wanted to replicate a key nuance in Arsenal’s right-side – a nuance I admire Mikel Arteta for implementing:
When Ben White sits centrally, Saka holds the width. However, it’s when Ben White receives the ball that him and Saka combine excellently to create chances – when Ben White receives the ball, he’ll move the ball to his right foot and will move the ball wide; As he does this, Saka will make an inside movement. As Saka makes this movement inside, Ben White passes the ball into the path of Saka’s movement, allowing Saka to take the ball in his stride and drive inside. Then, as Saka drives inside, White can make an overlapping run to occupy the wide channel. It’s a very small thing, however, this kind of nuance adds an extra layer to Arsenal’s in-possession play. To recreate this, I added the ‘Sit Narrower’ and ‘Run Wide with Ball’ instructions to Ben White’s role, whilst adding the ‘Stay Wider’ and ‘Roam From Position’ instructions to Saka’s role.
In modern football, a key tactical trend emerging is the idea of ‘overloading to isolate’. The idea to ‘overload to isolate’ is to create an overload on one side of the pitch. As you do this, the opposition defensive block shifts over onto that side to compensate for the overload. Then, you hold a winger wide on the other side, isolating the opposition full-back on that side. Then, as you have the ball on the overloaded side, you look to rotate possession before switching to the winger who’s isolated on the opposite side, causing a 1v1 against the opposing full-back. In this Arsenal squad, I recognised the right-side dominance as a facet I wanted to amplify. Therefore, I decided the left-side could be used to isolate a left-winger in a 1v1 – this would be ideal due to Martinelli’s pace and direct dominance in 1v1 situations in-game. To encourage this idea, I applied the ‘Focus Play Down The Right’ team instruction, as seen below:
Something else I admire in Arteta’s systems at Arsenal is his ability to manipulate an opposition press by using flexible rotations and giving certain players roam from their position. However, in my opinion, we’re now seeing too many players roaming in build-up. In Arsenal games this season, I’ve seen the likes of Partey moving into centre-back positions at times, Saliba moving into midfield and Timber moving into winger positions. So, in my system, I decided to tone it down a little and choose specific players I wanted to roam from their position, mainly focusing on expression from the right-hand side, with more discipline on the left.
When we have the ball, as aforementioned, we want to focus play down the right, allowing us to amplify our dominance on that side. We also want to emphasise our excellent technical quality, and to do so, we want to focus on a possession-based game – the ‘Positive’ mentality, along with the instructions in the photo above, will help to recognise this in-game. Finally, we want to make sure our possession-based approach bears fruit by showing intent in this approach – possession with intent, as inspired by Pep Guardiola and his possession-based model.
When we lose the ball, we want to counter-press aggressively to win back possession; This will allow us to retain possession and assert control onto the game. When we win back the ball, we want to exploit the opposition’s exposed shape in transition. Finally, from goal-kicks, we want to begin our build-up phase with the ‘keeper who will pass short to the centre-backs beside him.
One of the things I enjoy most when watching Arteta’s Arsenal down the years is their elite defensive set-ups. They press very high but are very compact in their pressing approach and it’s extremely difficult to even enter their half, let alone try to break down their resolute defence. I also wanted to implement this in my system, and the team instructions pictured above will replicate this, such as the very high line. I have also been immensely impressed by Arsenal’s defensive security and discipline when their midfield gets bypassed, as their defensive line will drop deep to prevent balls in-behind. Once again, I wanted to implement this in my approach by telling the defence to ‘Drop Off More’.
As aforementioned, I wanted the right side to be the more expressive of the two, with the left side being more disciplined in their approach. In this position, I wanted Saliba to move wider to help overload the right side. To encourage this further, I wanted Saliba to carry the ball into wide areas. Therefore, I felt this role, with the following instructions, was ideal:
In this position, on the left-side, I wanted Gabriel to be more disciplined both in-possession and out. Therefore, I felt this was the perfect role. No added instructions.
In this position, I wanted a role that could move into midfield to help create central overloads – of course the Inverted Wing-Back role was perfect! No added instructions.
In this position, I wanted a player role which could be the pivot from which everything revolves around – the ‘Water Carrier’, the one who carries the piano for the artists to play. Funnily enough, the Anchor role is described as this in the role’s description, as seen below:
Right-side Dominance
When watching Arsenal games from the last year or two, I’ve been particularly impressed with their right-side rotations and overloads – White, Ødegaard and Saka being crucial to this. Therefore, I wanted to replicate these overloads and rotations on the right-hand side. Along with this, I wanted to replicate a key nuance in Arsenal’s right-side – a nuance I admire Mikel Arteta for implementing:
When Ben White sits centrally, Saka holds the width. However, it’s when Ben White receives the ball that him and Saka combine excellently to create chances – when Ben White receives the ball, he’ll move the ball to his right foot and will move the ball wide; As he does this, Saka will make an inside movement. As Saka makes this movement inside, Ben White passes the ball into the path of Saka’s movement, allowing Saka to take the ball in his stride and drive inside. Then, as Saka drives inside, White can make an overlapping run to occupy the wide channel. It’s a very small thing, however, this kind of nuance adds an extra layer to Arsenal’s in-possession play. To recreate this, I added the ‘Sit Narrower’ and ‘Run Wide with Ball’ instructions to Ben White’s role, whilst adding the ‘Stay Wider’ and ‘Roam From Position’ instructions to Saka’s role.
Overload to Isolate
In modern football, a key tactical trend emerging is the idea of ‘overloading to isolate’. The idea to ‘overload to isolate’ is to create an overload on one side of the pitch. As you do this, the opposition defensive block shifts over onto that side to compensate for the overload. Then, you hold a winger wide on the other side, isolating the opposition full-back on that side. Then, as you have the ball on the overloaded side, you look to rotate possession before switching to the winger who’s isolated on the opposite side, causing a 1v1 against the opposing full-back. In this Arsenal squad, I recognised the right-side dominance as a facet I wanted to amplify. Therefore, I decided the left-side could be used to isolate a left-winger in a 1v1 – this would be ideal due to Martinelli’s pace and direct dominance in 1v1 situations in-game. To encourage this idea, I applied the ‘Focus Play Down The Right’ team instruction, as seen below:
Flexibility in Build-Up
Something else I admire in Arteta’s systems at Arsenal is his ability to manipulate an opposition press by using flexible rotations and giving certain players roam from their position. However, in my opinion, we’re now seeing too many players roaming in build-up. In Arsenal games this season, I’ve seen the likes of Partey moving into centre-back positions at times, Saliba moving into midfield and Timber moving into winger positions. So, in my system, I decided to tone it down a little and choose specific players I wanted to roam from their position, mainly focusing on expression from the right-hand side, with more discipline on the left.
Let’s Break Down the Tactic
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- 🛑DISCLAIMER:
- There are three versions of this tactic, this is the main version, for games at home. The other versions will be within the file attached to this article.
In Possession
When we have the ball, as aforementioned, we want to focus play down the right, allowing us to amplify our dominance on that side. We also want to emphasise our excellent technical quality, and to do so, we want to focus on a possession-based game – the ‘Positive’ mentality, along with the instructions in the photo above, will help to recognise this in-game. Finally, we want to make sure our possession-based approach bears fruit by showing intent in this approach – possession with intent, as inspired by Pep Guardiola and his possession-based model.
In Transition
When we lose the ball, we want to counter-press aggressively to win back possession; This will allow us to retain possession and assert control onto the game. When we win back the ball, we want to exploit the opposition’s exposed shape in transition. Finally, from goal-kicks, we want to begin our build-up phase with the ‘keeper who will pass short to the centre-backs beside him.
Out of Possession
One of the things I enjoy most when watching Arteta’s Arsenal down the years is their elite defensive set-ups. They press very high but are very compact in their pressing approach and it’s extremely difficult to even enter their half, let alone try to break down their resolute defence. I also wanted to implement this in my system, and the team instructions pictured above will replicate this, such as the very high line. I have also been immensely impressed by Arsenal’s defensive security and discipline when their midfield gets bypassed, as their defensive line will drop deep to prevent balls in-behind. Once again, I wanted to implement this in my approach by telling the defence to ‘Drop Off More’.
READ ALSO: FM24 Arne Slot Liverpool Tactic – Quadruple-Winning Recreation
When we are building up from deep, I want Raya to move higher to create a back-three with Saliba and Gabriel. From here, he can provide a passing option and can create a numerical advantage from deep. Then, from this position, he can utilize his elite ball-playing ability more often. Finally, when we don’t have the ball, I want Raya to be eccentric and confident to sweep loose balls in-behind. Therefore, I felt this role was perfect. No additional instructions.
From Ben White, I wanted him to move higher at times to help overload the right-hand side. His higher start position would allow a certain midfielder to drop deep to receive – something I’ll get onto later. As mentioned previously, I wanted White to hold a narrower starting position, before running wide with the ball to create a chain reaction higher up the pitch; To encourage this more, I applied the ‘Dribble More’ instruction. Lastly, to encourage White to overlap, I applied the ‘Cross From Byline’ instruction; Theoretically, this would see him move into ideal positions to allow for this, creating overlapping situations. Therefore, I felt this was the perfect role, with the added instructions:
Player Instructions
Sweeper Keeper – Attack
When we are building up from deep, I want Raya to move higher to create a back-three with Saliba and Gabriel. From here, he can provide a passing option and can create a numerical advantage from deep. Then, from this position, he can utilize his elite ball-playing ability more often. Finally, when we don’t have the ball, I want Raya to be eccentric and confident to sweep loose balls in-behind. Therefore, I felt this role was perfect. No additional instructions.
Wing-Back – Support
From Ben White, I wanted him to move higher at times to help overload the right-hand side. His higher start position would allow a certain midfielder to drop deep to receive – something I’ll get onto later. As mentioned previously, I wanted White to hold a narrower starting position, before running wide with the ball to create a chain reaction higher up the pitch; To encourage this more, I applied the ‘Dribble More’ instruction. Lastly, to encourage White to overlap, I applied the ‘Cross From Byline’ instruction; Theoretically, this would see him move into ideal positions to allow for this, creating overlapping situations. Therefore, I felt this was the perfect role, with the added instructions:
Ball-Playing Defender – Defend
As aforementioned, I wanted the right side to be the more expressive of the two, with the left side being more disciplined in their approach. In this position, I wanted Saliba to move wider to help overload the right side. To encourage this further, I wanted Saliba to carry the ball into wide areas. Therefore, I felt this role, with the following instructions, was ideal:
Central Defender – Defend
In this position, on the left-side, I wanted Gabriel to be more disciplined both in-possession and out. Therefore, I felt this was the perfect role. No added instructions.
Inverted Wing-Back – Support
In this position, I wanted a role that could move into midfield to help create central overloads – of course the Inverted Wing-Back role was perfect! No added instructions.
Anchor – Defend
In this position, I wanted a player role which could be the pivot from which everything revolves around – the ‘Water Carrier’, the one who carries the piano for the artists to play. Funnily enough, the Anchor role is described as this in the role’s description, as seen below:
Sometimes referred to as the 'Water Carrier', the Anchor's main duty is to sit in the hole between the defence and the midfield, intercepting moves, winning the ball and laying off simple passes to more creative teammates.
Since the key job is to anchor the defence, the Anchor doesn't venture too far from their position either to close down the opposition or to support the more advanced players.
The Anchor is only available with a Defend duty.
No additional instructions.
In this Arsenal side, Martin Ødegaard is the playmaker of which I want everything to go through. To allow for this, I’d need to give him licence to roam from his position so his creativity could be used in multiple areas. I also wanted Ødegaard to drop deep when White moves higher, allowing for deeper ball circulation; This could also draw an opposition midfielder from the opposition block, creating a central gap for Saka to exploit. As with White and Saliba, I also want Ødegaard to run wide with the ball, drawing the opposition block to the right flank. From here, in advanced positions, I want Ødegaard to move into wide crossing positions, where I want a pattern where he crosses the ball to the back-post, where the Central Midfielder – Attack can attack the ball – that’s why having a 6’4”, aerially dominant midfielder like Havertz is ideal. To encourage these two things more, I applied the ‘Dribble More’ and ‘Cross More Often’ instructions. Finally, I want Ødegaard to move into the half-spaces at times to draw out opposition defenders. Subsequently, this role is perfect, with the following instructions:
Roaming Playmaker – Support:
In this Arsenal side, Martin Ødegaard is the playmaker of which I want everything to go through. To allow for this, I’d need to give him licence to roam from his position so his creativity could be used in multiple areas. I also wanted Ødegaard to drop deep when White moves higher, allowing for deeper ball circulation; This could also draw an opposition midfielder from the opposition block, creating a central gap for Saka to exploit. As with White and Saliba, I also want Ødegaard to run wide with the ball, drawing the opposition block to the right flank. From here, in advanced positions, I want Ødegaard to move into wide crossing positions, where I want a pattern where he crosses the ball to the back-post, where the Central Midfielder – Attack can attack the ball – that’s why having a 6’4”, aerially dominant midfielder like Havertz is ideal. To encourage these two things more, I applied the ‘Dribble More’ and ‘Cross More Often’ instructions. Finally, I want Ødegaard to move into the half-spaces at times to draw out opposition defenders. Subsequently, this role is perfect, with the following instructions:
Central Midfielder – Attack
In this position, I wanted Havertz to be a secondary goal threat for the side. I wanted him to crash the box and to get on the end of back-post crosses by Ødegaard. Lastly, I wanted Havertz to move into the left half-space with the aim of drawing out the opposition full-back, giving Martinelli acres of space on the left flank. Therefore, I felt this role was perfect, with the added instruction below:
Inside Forward – Support
In this position, I wanted a role with instructions that’d allow flexibility in positioning – this would allow Saka to hold the width at times, whilst also moving inside at times to rotate positions with Ødegaard. Along with this, I wanted Saka to be in position at the back post to tap in crosses from the other flank by Martinelli. To allow for this, I felt this role was perfect, with the added instructions:
Winger – Support
In this position, I wanted a role that would predominantly hold the width. This would create width in our system, creating a 2v1 on the left against the opposition right-back. I also wanted to exploit this 2v1 with feeding runs in-behind by Havertz, asking Martinelli to ‘Take More Risks’ with his passing will allow this. When Martinelli receives the ball, I want him to primarily focus on getting the ball into the box for the striker, right-winger and the Roaming Playmaker who’ll be camped on the edge of the area. Taking all of this into account, I felt this role was perfect, with the added instructions:
Pressing Forward – Attack
In this position, I wanted a striker who could lead the press and, with the ball, could roam around and try to create situational overloads. When he gets the ball, I wanted him to carry the ball forward and try to create for his team. Therefore, I felt this role was perfect, with the added instructions:
Results
Premier League
In the Premier League, we stormed to the title with a 10-point difference between ourselves and Man City in 2nd! Of the 38 league games, we won 31, drawing 4 and losing just 3 games. We replicated Arsenal’s incredible defensive performance, as we conceded JUST 16 goals all season – one goal off the Premier League record of 15, achieved by Mourinho’s Chelsea in 2004/05.
Domestic Cups
We won our first trophy of the season in the Carabao Cup, as we beat Liverpool 5-0 (FIVE-NIL) in the final! On the way to Wembley, we beat West Ham 10-1 on aggregate in the Semi-Finals, after beating Bristol City, Wigan and Everton. We followed this up with another success in the FA Cup, as we beat Man Utd 3-1 in the final! On the way to the final, we beat Man City, Sheffield Wednesday, Burnley, Portsmouth and Stoke City.
UEFA Champions League
Conclusion
After just missing out on the 23/24 Premier League title, many Gunners fans hoped that their beloved Arsenal could go one better and win the league in 24/25. However, half-way into the 24/25 Premier League season, Arsenal sit in 3rd – 11 points off Liverpool at the summit. In this article, I’ve gone through my opinion about how Arsenal have struggled this season, and have created a Football Manager tactic where I look to mitigate these issues, before showcasing the incredible results said tactic achieved in testing! If you want a taste of this excellent tactic, make sure to download the tactic using the link attached to this article and follow FM Blog and myself on our respective socials. I hope you have enjoyed this article, and I wish you much success with this tactic on your saves! Thanks for reading!
