Liverpool manager Arne Slot has identified Premier League champions Arsenal as the premier team when it comes to defending without possession, not just in England but across the entire continent. Speaking during his pre-match briefing ahead of Liverpool’s final league fixture against Brentford, the Dutch tactician praised the Gunners for their exceptional work off the ball.
Slot acknowledged Arsenal’s title victory this season as a significant achievement, noting that winning the English top flight is always a formidable challenge. He highlighted a key statistic that sets Arsenal apart: for the first time in three decades, a club has scored 40% of its goals from set-pieces. The Liverpool boss also referenced comments from Luis Enrique, concurring that Arsenal are arguably the best side in Europe at pressing and regaining possession.
The Reds manager emphasized how football has evolved, pointing to Arsenal’s success as evidence of this shift. Looking ahead, Slot stressed that Liverpool must adapt to remain competitive against Arsenal and Manchester City next season, while maintaining their own distinctive playing style. He congratulated Mikel Arteta’s squad for their outstanding campaign, which culminated in ending a long title drought.