Daniel Farke’s Leeds United, naturally, won’t have things go their way as much in the Premier League compared to the Championship ahead of facing Arsenal.
Leeds United averaged 61.6% of the ball last season — which was the most in the division, with 54.4% of it against Everton on Monday. Arsenal, meanwhile, were fourth for possession share in the Premier League (57.0%).
It raises questions, not just regarding this particular game on Saturday, but also the season as a whole. Leeds have already made moves to have more adaptability. Leeds’ owners, the 49ers, have done their Premier League research.
It is not a guarantee that the decision for Leeds to prioritise Premier League physicality will work. There also has to be increased focus on Leeds using set-pieces this season and a horses for courses approach.
Leeds’ Premier League team is already significantly taller and more powerful and pre-season had Farke talking up tactical flexibility in the Premier League. His tactical nous will be tested in away games such as this, for certain.
Daniel Farke Leeds United manager.
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Daniel Farke explains Leeds’ tactical set up against Arsenal
Firstly, Farke praised Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, stating: “Arsenal is one of the best clubs — not just in this country — but also in Europe. They have the highest ambitions, the highest demands, and they want to be there to play for each and every title possible.
“It’s one of the strongest opponents that you can meet, especially after such a first gameday against a really good Man United team. Then a hard fought win. And, then, if you then, with this confidence, travel back and have the first home game against a newly-promoted side, then you normally play with a rhythm.
“I know it’s it’s a tough, tough place to go especially in their first first home game and when they can concentrate also on this game. And there’s no champions game that is disturbing perhaps or distracting a little bit in in midweek.
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“Of course, you would wish to have this fixture on a different date. But, yeah, sometimes you can can’t choose and it’s probably our biggest test so far.
“But we’ve also proven on the first gameday but also during pre-season when we faced sides like AC Milan and like Man United or Villarreal that we are competitive in at least in one game.
“Perhaps not over the course of a long season, but in one game you always have a chance and we try to be there with good performance again and try to win as many points as possible.
“But we also know with with their signings and the quality they had before; it’s a tough test and we have to be at our very best to give ourselves a chance.”
However, he then added more details on how Leeds will set up at The Emirates, despite it being an away game. Farke has already talked up the need to possess the ball and not totally remove themselves from their current tactical framework.
He added: “I don’t want to speak too much in advance about it because I’m pretty sure that our next opponent will also follow what I say a bit in public. But, again, we won’t sell our DNA in this Premier League season. It’s not like we just will try to park the bus.
“Yeah, just like I mentioned, put the ball on [top of] the stand. So, I think, if you just concentrate on trying to defend or whatever for 95/96 minutes, you have no chance to survive there. You have to make sure that you have as many periods as possible when you also control the ball.
“When you can recover also with possession and also let them shift and let them waste some energy against the ball. So, we will try to make sure there are as many periods as possible where we also control the game and control the ball.
“And I think it’s also important to try to create chances to scare them and to be dangerous ourselves and to play possession football and try to create chances and try to score goals. So, for that, of course, there will be also periods in the game when we suffer.
“And when we have to be well structured and really be a compact unit against the ball. Of course, I don’t expect us to have as much possession like, for example, in the first half against against Everton.
“Of course not, when you travel way to Arsenal, but we will try it. And, if the game develops in another direction, then we have to show our defensive steel and also the behaviour that we’ve shown in pre-season.
“But also on the first game day that we can defend our goal, we have hardly conceded a chance against us in the the first gameday. And we will also try to do the same in a difficult away game.”
Daniel Farke cups his ears to the Leeds support.
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Daniel Farke explains what changes to Leeds’ XI he will make against Arsenal
Farke was then asked about the fact Saturday is a different test and how to balance the needs for momentum with retaining confidence in those starters, but alongside the tactical demands of facing Arsenal and how to combat them.
Farke kept his cards close to his chest, stating: “You have to take both into account if you need the same players or different players on the pitch, but it’s always a good recommendation. It was 30 years ago and will also be for 30 years it’s more like this old quote, ‘never change a winning team.’
“So, it’s it’s more or less like always, like you have to think about man management and also to keep the group happy. But, on the other hand, it’s also professional football and everyone wants to play.
“And, right now, also like slightly easier — in comparison — to the Championship in terms of in terms of the workload. Yeah, if you have a normal week as a professional footballer, and you’re looked after, and everyone is concentrated on top nutrition and good sleep, anyhow.
“If you’re not capable to play one game per week, then we would do something something wrong. So, in term in terms of this, it should definitely be possible to also play at least once once per week.
“But, what you have to take into account, is more like if there are different tactical necessities. If you want to change, for example, the base formation or the way you want to play. This is what you take into account.
“Apart from this, I would say nowadays if you can’t play one game, or five, six, or seven days? Yeah, you would have a problem.”