Arsenal’s Tactical Shift After Brighton Defeat Raises Concerns, Says Club Legend

Arsenal appear to have been shaken by their recent 3-0 loss to Brighton, causing them to fall back on last season’s tactics.

Last season, Arsenal secured the Premier League title with a style that critics described as overly cautious and somewhat negative.

Early in the campaign, it seemed Arsenal were adopting a more open, expansive approach, yet Paul Merson believes they have reverted to a rigid, machine‑like system following the Brighton defeat.

Merson points out that a subtle tactical shift has emerged since the Brighton match, as seen in the analysis below.

“They’ve gone back to being a bit of a machine”

Paul Merson on whether Arsenal have been convincing so far this season ? pic.twitter.com/KL1qtzCzkm

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 17, 2026

I’m not certain the Brighton loss frightened them, but I had expected a more open style beforehand,” Merson told Sky Sports.

In their recent matches against Leeds and Lille, the side has looked increasingly mechanical, a formula that delivered the championship.

He added: “I had hoped this season would see the constraints lifted, allowing us to play freely with the talent at our disposal.”

Has Mikel Arteta got Arsenal’s tactics right?

Supporters grew accustomed to the stylish, attacking football that defined Arsène Wenger’s lengthy tenure, though its effectiveness waned over time.

At its peak, Wenger’s Arsenal produced some of the most entertaining football in Premier League history, securing league crowns in 1997‑98, 2001‑02 and 2003‑04.

The latter half of the Wenger era proved far less fruitful, prompting Arteta to bolster the defence and harness set‑piece potency during the 2025‑26 title run that ended the club’s 22‑year wait for a league championship.

Arsenal also fell short in the Champions League final, losing on penalties to Paris Saint‑Guin, and many feel a better‑possession approach and more chances could have turned the tide.

To defend their crown and emerge as a genuine European threat, Arsenal must adopt a braver, more adventurous style.

Source link