From Set-Piece to Structure: How Arsenal Outclassed Real Madrid

“Arsenal have won a set-piece! Keep an eye on this,” the commentator had barely finished his sentence when Declan Rice found the back of the net. Arsenal cooked Real Madrid, says football fans.

Once again, Arsenal looked untouchable on set pieces. On the other hand, Real Madrid continue to struggle to defend them. This was the first meeting between the two teams since the 2005/06 season—and once again, history sided with Arsenal. 

Last season, Arsenal scored 24 goals from set-pieces. This season, they’ve already netted over 10. Madrid, meanwhile, have already conceded 11 goals from set-pieces in this campaign.

Not Only Set-Pieces, Tactics Also Favors Arsenal

If we look beyond just the set pieces, it becomes clear that Real Madrid also lost the match in several other areas. Firstly, Arsenal’s off-the-ball movement was a major advantage besides their on-the-ball movement. At some particular times of the match, they’re more than willing to give up possession and drop into a compact shape. Instead of a regular deep low block, they used a mid-block to cut off the channel spaces in this match. Madrid typically thrive in wide areas, using their full-backs and wingers to exploit space. However, Arsenal’s 4-4-2 mid-block structure denied them effective ball progression in those areas.

Arsenal consistently used a 3-2 structure during build-up phases. Behind Bellingham and Rodrygo, Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard created space. William Saliba often had two vertical passing options to break lines, and once Arsenal did that, Madrid didn’t have enough pressing solutions to recover. While  Lewis’s positioning offered a key numerical superiority.

 

On the flip side, Madrid are used to playing with passive pressing. Their disorganized performance yesterday once again exposed their weakness against system-oriented teams. They’ve repeatedly struggled, whether it’s Barcelona, AC Milan, Real Betis, Liverpool, or Real Sociedad. The common pattern is being exposed by opponents, creating pockets of space through positional rotations.

Time and again, Arsenal managed to cut through Madrid’s defence down the right wing with just 2–3 passes—a recurring issue against tactically structured teams.

Including Mikel Merino in the squad was a smart decision. None of Arsenal’s players had prior experience playing against Madrid, while Merino had faced them 10 times during his Real Sociedad stint, winning on 4 occasions. That experience could prove vital.

Imbalanced Squad and Uncleared Plans

Madrid’s ongoing full-back issues also hurt them once again. Modrić played as a No. 8, but that role no longer suits him. In contrast, Valverde was far more effective in similar box-to-box roles last season. Modrić’s work rate simply isn’t sustainable for more than 20–30 minutes at that intensity.

Carlo Ancelotti was already aware of Arsenal’s positive set-piece data. Looking at the first free kick taken by Declan Rice, there should be five players (+1) players at the wall. Even the draught excluder included shows the causalities of fifteen-time champions. By contrast, we can accept a theory Ancelotti was expecting of regaining position and switching onto the quick transition. But Gunners vandalized all these imbalanced strategies.

Heading into the second leg, making big changes may not be feasible. Rather, clearly defining player roles will be crucial. If Madrid were to outdo Arsenal in any variable, it would be through individual brilliance. Their talent pool is deep, and Ancelotti’s main concern will be instructing players with clarity—what to do and where to do it on the pitch.