How Mikel Arteta’s secret SpongeBob tactic will help Arsenal counter Brighton aggressive 2-3-5 swarm

ARSENAL can neutralise Brighton’s aggressive attack by unleashing a secret “SpongeBob” tactic to soak up pressure and strike on the counter this Saturday at the Amex.

‘s Seagulls are set to arrive with an ultra-offensive 2-3-5 formation, but Mikel Arteta’s side possess the perfect blueprint to absorb the swarm.

In the latest episode of , SunSport expert Dean Scoggins broke down how the Gunners can exploit Brighton’s high line to secure another crucial win.

Dean said: “Perhaps we’re going to see in a little bit more of an on the edge-of-their-own-box position in this game, because Brighton will at stages force them into that area.

“Fabian Hurzeler has these principles and ideologies that he wants from high pressing, high up the field, aggressive approach. It’s a 2-3-5 set-up, where these full-backs will come in and be more part of a midfield set-up in a balanced attack there.

“What Arsenal will be wanting to happen is that sponge — squeeze Brighton into that area, and then you’ve got the runners from that area to be Tzolis charging out of there and Saka running out of there into those spaces.

“Look at how high up they get, and look at that space in behind. We know Arsenal are the most comfortable out-of-position team, the best sponges in the whole Premier League. So they’ll be very comfortable with Brighton coming onto them in that position there, and then springing out of it.”

That defensive resilience will be anchored on the left flank, where has formed a devastating partnership with Tzolis.

The duo’s fluid rotations and underlapping runs are set to cause chaos for Brighton’s defensive unit.

Dean added: “Calafiori and Tzolis have developed this telepathy straight away, and it’s like one goes in and one goes out.

Fixtures Results Table

Friday 18 September

Brentford

20:00

EPL

Chelsea

Saturday 19 September

Spurs

12:30

EPL

Villa

Brighton

15:00

EPL

Arsenal

Everton

15:00

EPL

Ipswich

Newcastle

15:00

EPL

Hull

Forest

17:30

EPL

Coventry

Monday 14 September

Sunday 13 September

Saturday 12 September

English Premier League Pld Pts GD W D L Form

1

4

12

7

4

0

0

2

4

12

6

4

0

0

3

4

8

4

2

2

0

4

4

8

3

2

2

0

5

4

7

8

2

1

1

6

4

7

1

2

1

1

7

4

6

3

1

3

0

8

4

6

2

1

3

0

“The reason that Calafiori and Tzolis have been so good is because of this sort of disruption. Calafiori will end up in that position for the underlap run in there from a pass in there, and he’s the one you want in that area.

“My son would call it the Uno reverse in that position where you start in one position, and end up in another. And these Brighton defenders are wondering who I’m picking up and when.

“The understanding between that Arsenal left-hand side has been very, very impressive. And the understanding between them is not just in an attacking sense. It’s in a defensive position as well.”

Arteta also faces a major tactical decision in central midfield between and .

While Guimaraes offers an attacking spark, Lewis-Skelly’s composure under pressure makes him the ideal choice to start against Brighton’s press.

Dean said: “Myles Lewis-Skelly… This is defensive instinct. What you need in here is very much tight, sharp passes.

“If the ball breaks in an area like that, you’ve got a very, very press-resistant, strong player who then is going to be able to bounce a pass straight into an area like that.

“If you’re talking about that sponge that I talked about in point one, I think that Arteta will be erring towards Myles Lewis-Skelly again. And he’s played so well. And Bruno Guimaraes still gaining fitness.

“Myles Lewis-Skelly is the starter for me.”

Watch the full episode of Tactics Exposed here .