SPH10002: Analyzing Arsenal vs PSG Game - Performance and Biomechanics

This report provides a detailed analysis of the Arsenal vs PSG game, focusing on the team formations employed by both sides (4-2-3-1 for Arsenal and 3-4-1-2 for PSG) and their impact on the game's outcome. It highlights Arsenal's balanced approach across the field, which facilitated effective attacks from the wings and solid defense in the midfield, contrasting with PSG's more centrally focused strategy that proved less effective. The analysis points out how Arsenal's formation allowed for better ball distribution and control, leading to more scoring opportunities, while PSG's formation limited both their attacking and defensive capabilities. Ultimately, the report attributes PSG's loss to their less balanced formation, which hindered their ability to hold possession and defend effectively against Arsenal's attacks, despite the PSG goalkeeper's commendable performance. This assignment is available on Desklib, a platform providing various study resources for students.

Game Analysis 1
INDIVIDUAL GAME ANALYSIS
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The formation that Arsenal used for that game was 4-2-3-1 while PSG used 3-4-1-2. “The
Arsenal formation covered all the parts of the field equally.”1 Besides the goalkeeper, Arsenal
ARSENAL PSG
Goals 5 1
Shots 15 14
Shots on target 11 3
Passes 631 499
Possession 56% 44%
Corners 5 2
Offside 2 1

Game Analysis 2
had five players playing defensively and the other four attacking in the midfield area. The main
striker was one and he was well supplied with balls from the wings as evidenced by the number
of corners that Arsenal got from the match. The attacks from the wide areas of the pitch bore
fruits with most of the goals coming from the strikers after successful interplays and crosses to
the center. “The wings were also well defended and a lot of emphases was also put in the middle
of the field where PSG was attacking from since their formation place three strikers at the
middle, right in front of the goalkeeper.”2 The strategy adopted by PSG to attack from the center
made it easy for Arsenal to defend since it had enough players at the middle. PSG therefore made
a lot of shots off the goalkeeper. PSG strikers were barred from attacking through the middle and
the pressure that they were subjected to led to the inaccuracy that they displayed. Most of the
PSG players were placed in the middle of the field, a position that did not favor both attacking
and defending. PSG was also unable to hold the ball for long since their formation was not
balanced all over the field which would have otherwise enabled them to hold the ball for a longer
time. The distribution of Arsenal players all over the field, on the other hand, enabled them to
pass the ball to each other thereby moving the PSG players around as they created chances.
Passing of the ball by Arsenal supplemented their attack as well as their defense. Arsenal has
more strikers at the front than the defenders that were placed to bar them and at the same time,
had more defenders that PSG’S strikers.
The formation that PSG used for this game is definitely the main reason behind their
huge loss since it curtailed both their attack and defense. The holding of the ball by the defensive
midfield players also endangered the team since the interceptions that Arsenal made were in a
dangerous area and they could easily lead to goals. The best tactic in defending is to attack and
that is what Arsenal did. PSG on its part exerted undue pressure on itself by concentrating its ball

Game Analysis 3
possession in the defensive midfield and leaving very few defenders to take care of any mistakes
in midfield in form of ball interception. PSG defenders were only 3 and they were placed at the
middle making it hard to wall the goalmouth against attacks from the wings. This led to multiple
scores from clinical strikers like Lacazette who scored twice and Ozil beside him also scored.
PSG goalkeeper did all his best and saved 6 attempts. The performance of the goalkeeper was
excellent and the high number of goals can be attributed to poor defense strategy.

Game Analysis 4
References
Benge, J. (2018). Arsenal 5-1 PSG: Lacazette leads second-half blitz after Ozil opener. [online]
Evening Standard. Available at: https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-51-
psg-alexandre-lacazette-leads-secondhalf-blitz-after-captain-mesut-ozil-opener-
a3898571.html
Dowdeswell, A. (2018). Arsenal Vs Paris Saint-Germain: 3 players who impressed – Guendouzi
looks good. [online] Pain in the Arsenal. Available at:
https://paininthearsenal.com/2018/07/28/arsenal-vs-paris-saint-germain-3-players-
impressed-guendouzi-looks-good/