Did The Alexander-Arnold Gamble Pay Off? #england #euro2024
did England’s gamble to play Trent Alexander Arnold in Midfield against Serbia pay off of course every tactical decision is a gamble by deciding to do one thing you’re usually deciding not to do another thing so the big question is whether the benefits of playing Alexander Arnold outweigh the benefits of playing someone else by using him in Midfield against Serbia Gare Southgate looked to get him into the parts of the pitch where he’s most dangerous with the ball at his feet playing Progressive passes from deep and offering creativity in the half spaces but during the game he made no crosses into the box from open play and only had four long passes from his own half and of course your central midfielder isn’t just responsible for playing final balls they’re also responsible for helping out with buildup and defending as well in these areas Alexander Arnold’s impact was much more questionable he twice lost possession in buildup situations and one of these turnovers led to a Serbia shot now it’s too early to say whether the gamble paid off but on this showing England didn’t really get the benefit and had to deal with some of the downsides so with Adam Warton and kobby Mayu available Southgate might be tempted to try a different option against Denmark
Welcome to The Athletic FC’s YouTube channel, where best-in-class journalism meets video.
England won 1-0 against Serbia in their first Euro 2024 match, and all eyes were on Trent Alexander-Arnold as he partnered Declan Rice in the base of the midfield.
Did Gareth Southgate’s tactical gamble pay off?
Jon Mackenzie explains ðŸ§
#premierleague #footballshorts #tactics
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Music sourced from Epidemic Sound
Additional footage sourced from AP Newsroom

27 Comments
Why even do this though? He's proven at rb with Liverpool
Trent is a luxury player, he puts in good crosses for Liverpool and that's about it. Kieran Trippier can do all that but can actually defend. In midfield Gallagher is a more accomplished midfielder and is a press-master. Don't need TAA
he was really poor when coming deep almost gave away a good chance to serbia.
You cannot just bring up stats to judge what a player does on the pitch. Come on be better than that
He did intercept the ball at one point that led to a counter attack
If you wanna talk abt only stats based, Harry Kane only has two touches in the whole first half and dont leave out the stats for trent 91% pass accuracy 60 touches 5/7 long balls completed 3 shots 2 ground duels won 2 interceptions
Please forward this video to Southgate
only Walker and Jude had a good game tbh..and in a way saka…everyone else sucked..tf is wrong with Kane, Foden..weren't they supposed to like take the game to the opposition..those open crosses..noone there to meet at the end..twice! Not even getting into their defence..England really disappointed me as always!
he had no natural left winger outlet!!
This is such agenda posting because you didn't even talk about his interceptions, one of them created a chance for Kyle Walker to mess up, is cutback passes, one of which gave Bellingham a chance and his free kick which bounced off Declan rice. But you ignored all this and only talked about the negatives
Change of formation could help, playing him as a Rb, Rwb or dropping him.
Why play Trent in midfield when you have only Saka and the full backs to run in behind for Trent's long passes? Foden tries to play like he's at City, he's dropping too deep, tries to receives at feet to find passes insted of running at the defense providing passing option for players like Kane and Trent. He also takes up the same areas as Kane and Bellingham and they are often too crowded and too close to each other. It's takes away alot from Kane and Bellingham's abilities to find final balls from pockets.Also, Walker and Tripper plays too wide and doesn't fit their attack or midfield.I don't disagree with selections of players like Gordon or Bowen but they needed to bring at least one of Sterling or Rashford to provide the pace and goal threat from the left that players like Kane,Jude and Trent are so good at finding. All in all, these players looked like they were instructed to play like they did for their clubs but the team's system is built for them. Simply put, Southgate may have their players but he isn't Klopp,Pep or Arteta
Southgate is a manager who can take a squad of invincibles and make them look like absolute jokers.
This English team is very wild. They have these specialist players like Foden, TAA, Rice, Stones…etc etc etc, who does very specialised jobs in their respective club sides.
They have club sides that designed to facilitate the unique qualities these players have and they thrive in the club sides. But in the national team, they all look… LOST. Just take Bellingham for example… He was doing soo much defensive work coz he doesn't have the big, strong Defenders and DMFs like Real Madrid… Nor does he has good runners of the ball like Vini or Rodrygo… There was just Saka. And Saka sure was enough for Bellingham to score a goal.
People like Foden, TAA are struggling harder
Even though rashford had a mediocre season, I think they will regret not taking him with them because he is one of those players that seems to turn out for England no matter what.
Its not that deep, couple more games and they will find form
Before I watch the short I would like to comment that it didn't work because of hiw England were trying to play. They werw trying to hold on to the ball and that's not how Trent plays. For Liverpool whenever he gets tge ball his first thought is to see if he can pass the ball forward but watching him for England he was reluctant to do so which nade him come off as timid.
I think he will be better suited when England are chasing a game that way you have the front players more willing to make rubs in behind
Why are you speaking like a Karen?
In a data set sample size of 90mins… but who likes data?
gallager > TAA
anthony gordon > phil foden next game
Mainoo could be the answer
I honestly belive that I would be at least same level manager as Southgate
How special awareness was shocking, he looked so shaky in there, seemingly didn’t know where to stand half the time
The Trent discourse is crazy. He was absolutely fine. One of the better players on the pitch. Still England's only other generational talent alongside Kane. But alas, he wears a Liver Bird on his chest, so it's easy to get clicks.
Mainoo should of started
Thank you for explaining what a decision is before you started
Guy begging for money daily to feed his alcohol and expensive pixels addiction thinks he has the right to call someone else an imbecile 🤣🤣