Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Frank Lampard are both coming under increasing scrutiny after their respective teams' poor starts to the 2019-20 campaign
Getty ImagesWinner: Unai Emery
After an oddly directionless transitional year, Arsenal are finally reflecting their manager’s tactical beliefs, namely frantic energy, sharp vertical counter-attacks, and high-risk possession.
For example, David Luiz and Sokratis guarantee the odd error but their frenzied playing style is exactly why Unai Emery trusts in them.
In addition, while Lucas Torreira, Matteo Guendouzi, and Dani Ceballos would represent a worryingly erratic midfield for a more conservative coach, it is ideal for Emery, who is already in possession of the dynamic front three he needs to create a Klopp-esque 4-3-3.
Once their first-choice full-backs, Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney, return from injury, the Gunners will finally have all the pieces in place for a successful – if chaotic – season.
AdvertisementGettyLoser: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer references the United team he was a part of in the 1990s when explaining his tactical philosophy.
‘Pace and power’ is the long and short of it, with Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, and Daniel James expected to freestyle attack the opposition defence to create the waves of pressure that characterised Sir Alex Ferguson teams.
It has been 20 years since the days of Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke, players name-checked by Solskjaer when asked to describe his tactics. In 2019, Big Six clubs are forced to hold the vast majority of possession while opponents sit back, which explains why Solskjaer’s out-dated methods aren’t working.
There is simply no space in the final third for United’s speedy attackers; Crystal Palace won’t be the last team to park the bus at Old Trafford and emerge with three points.
Winners: Everton
Marco Silva's penchant for aggressive attacking football – characterised by extremely high full-backs and constant pressing – explains why Everton were so often formless last year, one minute playing cohesively and collapsing the next.
The addition of Fabian Delph in central midfield adds dynamism on the ball and athleticism off it, potentially preventing matches from spiralling out of control.
Moise Kean finally gives Everton – and Gylfi Sigurdsson, in particular – a target to create chances for, while Richarlison’s directness is nicely balanced by the hard-working Alex Iwobi on the other side.
In short, Everton’s tactical approach hasn’t changed this season but they have signed exactly the right players for Silva’s coaching to bear fruit.
Ben STANSALLLosers: Norwich & Aston Villa
Although Norwich and Aston Villa are being praised for playing aesthetically-pleasing football so far this season, both Daniel Farke and Dean Smith could be accused of playing with a too-wide formation and a too-open midfield.
Villa don’t use a defensive midfielder and instruct the full-backs to bomb forward, which led to Bournemouth scoring two early goals against Villa a fortnight ago before Crystal Palace – arguably the least creative team in the division – managed 22 shots on goal at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
Norwich were praised for throwing caution to the wind at Anfield on the opening day, but they should not have done the same at West Ham. The hosts repeatedly cut through Norwich primarily because they allowed Pellegrini’s side to play on the counter-attack.
In the Premier League, many home teams would rather sit back but are denied the opportunity. It would be naive for Norwich to assume winning the possession battle is automatically a route to victory.