When video of Arsenal assistant coach Miguel Molina presenting the club’s playing model in 2021 resurfaced online, they sparked plenty of interest. Seeing the material laid out in detail gives a chance to digest how the team’s identity was being shaped behind the scenes, not just through line-ups and match plans, but through a long-term framework.
> Full presentation of Arsenal’s game model by assistant coach & tactical analyst – Miguel Molina [pic.twitter.com/BTCRjSMvze](https://t.co/BTCRjSMvze)
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> — Reece Edwards (@ReeceEdwardsX) [August 23, 2025](https://twitter.com/ReeceEdwardsX/status/1959252819371757770?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
A playing model is more than tactics for a single match. It is a structured blueprint that defines how a team functions in every phase of the game — in possession, out of possession, and during the transitions between. It provides principles and sub-principles, a shared language for players and coaches, and a guide for recruitment and development. In short, it is the framework that turns individual matches into a sustained identity.
The 2021 presentation outlined Arsenal’s model in detail, setting out the club’s principles for defending, attacking, and managing transitions, as well as the cultural and leadership demands that supported them. What follows is a breakdown of those key ideas as they were originally framed.
### Defensive Structure
The defensive identity was built on three non-negotiables: compactness, proactivity, and height of the line.
Arsenal’s approach called for defending with a high block, not retreating into their own half. The intention was to be proactive, defending forward whenever possible, and shaping the game on the opponent’s side of the pitch. That ambition required compact distances both vertically and horizontally. Without that compactness, the high line became a liability.
This approach also placed emphasis on recovery runs and collective movement. The model stressed that defending was not simply about regaining the ball, but about controlling space and dictating where the opponent could play. The aim was to create pressure that forced errors, while keeping the team’s structure intact.
### Attacking Patterns
On the ball, the model focused on structured progression. Build-up play was designed around clear positional lanes: interior, lateral, and vertical. Each had specific functions, with the goal of provoking defenders to step out and then exploiting the space that opened up.
The guiding principle was simple: attack the next line. Whether through interior passes into midfield or rotations on the flanks, the plan was to advance play step by step until reaching the final third. The ball was rarely to be circulated for its own sake. Every movement was tied to creating a new advantage.
This also extended to how wide players were used. Full-backs and wingers had complementary roles, pulling defenders out of position to create gaps for vertical runs. Progression was not about chaos but about calculated manipulation of defensive lines.
### Transition Principles
One of the strongest features of the 2021 model was its clarity on transitions.
When possession was lost, the first rule was to defend forward. The team aimed to recover the ball high, with compact distances making counter-pressing possible. This was described as non-negotiable.
When possession was regained, the aim was to progress vertically. Quick passes and runs into space were encouraged, but not at the expense of control. The model stressed the importance of distances between players to keep transitions connected.
That balance — vertical threat with structural security — was seen as central to competing at the top level.
### Player Roles and Leadership
Beyond tactics, the presentation underlined the importance of leadership within a young squad.
Leaders were described as essential for sustaining the culture and ensuring the model worked under pressure. The staff noted that leaders could be developed internally, found within the group, or recruited externally. But some form of leadership was seen as necessary for driving standards.
The model also highlighted the need for clear roles across the pitch. Every player was expected to understand their position not only in terms of where they stood, but in terms of their function in build-up, defense, and transition. The repetition of these roles in training was designed to create what the staff called “cognitive automatisms;” actions performed instinctively, without hesitation.
### Training and Preparation
The model gave as much weight to preparation as it did to match-day execution.
Staff roles were divided across tactical, physical, and logistical areas, but the aim was always integration. Training sessions were tailored to replicate real match scenarios, with exercises designed to provoke the same problems players would face in games. Constraints were adjusted, contexts were modified, and drills were repeated until principles became habits.
Video analysis played a supporting role. The emphasis was on giving players actionable solutions rather than overwhelming them with opponent detail. Individual and group meetings were used selectively, with the goal of reinforcing clarity rather than flooding players with information.
This structured, problem-solving approach was meant to ensure players had the tools to solve situations themselves once on the pitch.
### Core Non-Negotiables
From the presentation, four rules stood out as absolute:
1. Maintain compact team structure.
2. Defend forward with a high line.
3. Impose the model rather than reacting passively.
4. Apply universal principles regardless of opponent.
These non-negotiables were positioned as the backbone of Arsenal’s playing identity. Even as personnel or opponents changed, these principles were to hold firm.
### Reflection in 2025
Looking back from 2025, the 2021 playing model offers both continuity and contrast.
Some principles have endured. Compactness remains central to Arsenal’s approach. The idea of defending forward, pressing high, and seeking to dominate space is still visible in today’s team. The emphasis on structure in build-up, creating advantages step by step, is also familiar. Leadership continues to be a recurring theme, with the squad still balancing young talent and experienced figures.
Other elements have clearly evolved. The way Arsenal manage their high line is more sophisticated, shaped by both personnel and competition demands. Attacking patterns have developed too, with greater use of rotations and fluid movement to unsettle opponents. Transitions have grown more nuanced, with the team sometimes choosing to slow play rather than always striking vertically.
What this shows is that the 2021 model was a foundation. It laid out the core non-negotiables that still underpin Arsenal’s football, while leaving room for tactical evolution.
### Open Questions
This retrospective raises natural questions for anyone interested in the club’s tactical development:
* Which of these original non-negotiables truly remain in practice?
* What new rules define Arsenal now?
* Has the club outgrown some of these foundations, or simply built upon them?
Answering these questions would not only complete the picture of Arsenal’s tactical journey but also shed light on how far the team has travelled from those early days of defining a model.