Analysis: Huddersfield

Huddersfield set up in the 5-3-2 formation they used in the draw against Chelsea, but allowed their full-backs, Florent Hadergjonaj and Chris Lowe, to push higher than they did at Stamford Bridge. With their top-flight status for the following season confirmed, David Wagner seemed prepared to take more risks.

The Terriers pressed aggressively in the first half and successfully disrupted Arsenal’s build-up play. More often than not, Huddersfield would go man for man when the Gunners were playing out from the back. In the first 20 minutes, Arsene Wenger’s men found this difficult to contend with.

Huddersfield’s initial attacking strategy was centred on regaining the ball high up the pitch and launching a quick counter-attack. If the regain happened closer to their own goal, though, they would instead look to play a direct pass into one of the two half-spaces for Alex Pritchard and Steve Mounie to chase. Aaron Mooy and Tom Ince would then make forward runs from midfield, looking to attack the box for a cross or cutback. Their high press meant the pace and energy of Pritchard and Mounie were in theory more effective than the physical force of Laurent Depoitre, who started on the bench.

As the first half progressed, however, Huddersfield struggled to cope with the forward runs of midfielder Aaron Ramsey and his rotation with striker Alexandre Lacazette. As a result, they fell into a deeper block in the hope of going into the break on level terms. Arsenal, though, sprung to life in the 38th minute, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scoring what would be the only goal of the game.

The only substitution that made a notable difference to Huddersfield was the introduction of Depoitre for Ince just after the hour mark. A goal down, the hosts needed a focal point up top who could hold up the ball and bring others in to play while offering a threat from crosses.

By also pushing Lowe and Hadergjonaj higher up the pitch, the Terriers were able to overload Arsenal’s 4-3-3 formation and create opportunities from the wide areas. Mooy came close when his volley crashed against the crossbar late on, while Depoitre also had an effort saved by David Ospina. Despite the home side’s chances, however, the Gunners rode their luck and held out for their first away win in the Premier League of 2018.