Brighton vs. Arsenal: Tactical Review of FA Cup Game

Arsenal progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 3-2 victory away to Brighton on Sunday. The magnificent Tomas Rosicky stole the show, while Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott both scored valuable goals upon returning to the XI.

Formations and XIs

Brighton played a 4-2-3-1, with Holla and Ince holding, Sam Baldock up front and Chris O'Grady on the left wing. The latter pair swapped roles early in the first half.

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Arsenal played a very loose formation that bordered in 4-2-3-1, with Ozil in the No. 10 role, Nacho Monreal at centre-back and Walcott off the right side primarily.

1. Reverting to Type

Remember that structured, methodical showing from Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium which helped them to a 2-0 victory? Arsene Wenger abandoned that approach on Sunday, instead opting to go all-out Arsenal and try and run riot against a weaker Brighton team.

That approach is completely plausible—nine times out of 10, the Gunners' superior quality will win out against the Seagulls—and Tomas Rosicky's magnificence helped them to an early 2-0 lead.

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It was the Arsenal we're very familiar with: interchanging in midfield, piercing runs from deeper positions and quick, intricate passing on the edge of the opponents' box. The full-backs pushed up extremely high and the whole team cranked up the pressure, dominating both the ball and the territory available on the pitch.

Walcott's smart finish gave them a deserved lead, and Ozil's neat finish compounded the reality that, over the course of the first 30 minutes, the Gunners were utterly rampant. The attacking midfield three swapped liberally, Aaron Ramsey buccaneered forward, Calum Chambers dominated the right flank and Olivier Giroud created space for his team-mates to use.

2. Brighton's "Defending"

Of course, Arsenal's exceptional offensive display was aided by a horrendous Brighton defensive stand. Gordon Greer, Lewis Dunk and Co. were all at sea throughout the first half, shell-shocked and confused as to what was happening around them.

The Albion seemed intent on letting Arsenal play; they failed to drum up even the most remote amount of pressure on the opposing ball player, and Rosicky's no-look assist for Ozil's goal, while spectacular, was only allowed because the Czech encountered no opposition to his dribbling and movement.

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It was how the home side dealt with—or perhaps failed to deal with—Walcott surging forward, aiming for the throat, that most typified their aimlessness.

Sloppy passing from Brighton allowed the winger at least four opportunistic turnovers in an advanced area in the first half alone, and each time he pressed forward with the ball at his feet, the entire Brighton defensive line backed off, awarding him all the space in the world to run into.

Arsenal were some good decision-making from Walcott away from slamming six past Brighton in the first 60 minutes (stop us if you've heard this before).

3. Learning to Adjust

The second half was stretched, with Brighton finding their feet from an attacking perspective by switching Baldock to the left and O'Grady moving to the central striker's role midway through the first period. 

O'Grady was a real handful, holding the ball up, creating a focal point for the Seagulls to play off and encouraging forward runs from midfield. The lack of movement in the first half was nothing short of astonishing; the centre-backs had nothing to pick out while on the ball.

Rosicky looked to have sealed the result in making it 3-1 with a beautiful volley, but Baldock's slick run and finish brought the cushion back to just a single goal again. It was beginning to look a lot like Anderlecht at home (3-3)...until Wenger introduced Francis Coquelin from the bench.

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That shoring up of the team shows growth from the manager: As recently as last month, he had been perennially guilty of failing to sew up results by adjusting and seeing out games. Coquelin, brimming with confidence and with great recent performances in the bank, was sent on to secure passage, and he obliged.

Arsenal looked structurally more sound with Coquelin in the mix and quelled more attacks launched from central areas. He helped the Gunners claim superiority over the most important zone—the middle—and from there, several late counter-attacks by Alexis Sanchez and Chuba Akpom were launched, giving the Gunners even more chances to seal the win by scoring more.

The Arsenal on show from 80 minutes onward looked similar to the one that ground out a famous win at Manchester City just seven days before.

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