In the ever-evolving world of football, clubs are always on the lookout for tactical innovations that can give them a competitive edge. For Arsenal, one of the most exciting storylines in recent seasons has been Mikel Arteta’s evolving tactical approach. The Spanish manager has already established himself as one of the most promising young tacticians in European football, and his blueprint for Arsenal is gradually taking shape — one that blends modern positional play with fluid attacking transitions.
One of the most intriguing tactical experiments Arteta has been trying to perfect is the ‘false 9’ role, which has recently become a focal point for his team. Initially targeting Alexander Isak of Newcastle United as the ideal striker for his plans, Arteta has now reportedly shifted his focus to Mikkel Damsgaard of Sampdoria, known for his ability to play in a fluid attacking role. This shift, away from a traditional number nine to a more versatile attacker, raises several tactical questions. Why is Arteta making this change, and what does it mean for the future of Arsenal’s attack?
This article delves into the tactical implications of Arteta’s decision to pursue Giekhles over Isak. What does this reveal about his approach to the ‘false 9’ system, and how could it unlock new dimensions in the team’s attacking play? Let’s explore these questions in detail and break down the strategic upgrades behind Arteta’s shift in transfer targets.
1. The Tactical Evolution of Mikel Arteta
Since taking over as Arsenal’s manager in 2019, Mikel Arteta has been gradually building a team that is characterized by possession-based football, pressing intensity, and fluid positional rotations. His style has been compared to that of his mentor, Pep Guardiola, but with his own unique touches, particularly in terms of how he has used wide players and creative midfielders to break down defensive lines.
Under Arteta, Arsenal has undergone a transformation — from a club defined by its reliance on individual brilliance to one that operates as a cohesive tactical unit. One of the most significant changes has been the emphasis on creating overloads in wide areas, fluid positional rotations, and interchanging positions in attack. This fluidity allows Arsenal to disrupt defensive lines and create spaces for players to exploit.
The false 9 experiment has been a natural progression of these ideas. Traditionally, the number nine role has been filled by a target man or a poacher — someone who primarily operates in the central channel and focuses on finishing chances. However, Arteta has sought to introduce a more dynamic version of this role, one where the striker drops deeper, links up play, and draws defenders out of position, creating space for others to attack.
2. Why Arsenal Shifted Their Focus to Mikkel Damsgaard (Giekhles)
Arsenal’s initial transfer focus seemed to be Alexander Isak, the Swedish international who had enjoyed a standout season at Real Sociedad and was highly regarded as one of Europe’s most promising young strikers. Isak is known for his technical ability, pace, and versatility — qualities that make him a natural fit for a modern striker. His ability to drop deeper and link play, alongside his clinical finishing, made him a strong candidate for Arteta’s tactical vision.
However, recent reports suggest that Arteta has switched his attention to Mikkel Damsgaard of Sampdoria. Damsgaard, often referred to as “Giekhles”, has showcased his exceptional talent primarily as an attacking midfielder or winger, but he also has the ability to drop deeper or shift into central areas to operate in a more fluid attacking role. His performances for Denmark in the Euro 2020 tournament — especially his eye-catching goals and creativity — have solidified his reputation as one of the most promising talents in Europe.
What makes Damsgaard particularly appealing to Arteta is his versatility and footballing intelligence. While he is not a traditional striker, his ability to occupy different attacking positions and make incisive runs into the box aligns perfectly with the false 9 role Arteta has experimented with.
Rather than opting for a traditional striker like Isak, who might demand a more conventional role in the center of the attack, Arteta seems to prefer a player who can interlink with the midfield, drop into deeper positions, and provide fluidity across the attacking third.
3. The Role of the ‘False 9’ in Arteta’s Tactical Blueprint
To fully understand the significance of Arsenal’s shift in focus from Isak to Giekhles, it’s crucial to break down the role of the false 9 in Arteta’s system.
A false 9 is typically a forward who drops into midfield to create overloads and confuse the opposition’s defensive shape. This player is not bound by the traditional center-forward role and has the freedom to move across the attacking areas, creating passing triangles with midfielders and wingers. Rather than occupying a fixed position up front, the false 9 pulls defenders out of position, allowing other attackers to exploit the vacated spaces.
Arteta has used Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Emile Smith Rowe in various advanced roles during his tenure at Arsenal, but the false 9 role — in its truest sense — has yet to be fully explored. This is where Mikkel Damsgaard (Giekhles) comes in. His natural ability to operate in multiple positions across the front line allows him to perform a similar role to Lionel Messi in his prime under Guardiola’s Barcelona, or Phil Foden in Guardiola’s Manchester City, where fluidity and positional interchange are key components of the attack.
By adding a player like Giekhles, Arteta could take his tactical approach to the next level, creating an attacking unit that is far more interchangeable, unpredictable, and difficult for opposition defenses to contain.
4. Tactical Benefits of the ‘False 9’ Experiment
Arteta’s decision to pursue a player like Mikkel Damsgaard over a more traditional striker like Isak is reflective of several tactical upgrades that could unlock new possibilities for the team. Here are the key benefits of implementing a false 9 in Arteta’s system:
a) Fluidity and Positional Interchange
A key advantage of the false 9 role is the fluidity it brings to the attack. A player who drops deeper into midfield can create overloads and link up play in ways that a traditional striker cannot. This movement forces opposing defenders to make decisions — do they follow the dropping striker, or do they leave the space for other attackers to exploit?
By using a false 9, Arteta can build intricate attacking sequences, with the striker seamlessly moving between positions to confuse defensive lines. This positional interchange also benefits the wide attackers, who can make runs into the space created by the dropping forward.
b) A Dynamic Midfield Link
The false 9 offers a link between the midfield and the attack that is much more fluid than a traditional striker. In Arteta’s system, where Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka are essential in controlling the tempo and breaking down opposition defenses, a fluid false 9 allows for a smoother transition from defense to attack. The striker’s ability to drop into midfield and create passing lanes allows Ødegaard and Saka to push forward more dynamically, knowing that they have a creative presence in the central areas who can help progress the ball.
c) Flexibility in Attack
With a player like Giekhles, who is capable of playing in several attacking positions, Arteta would have more options in how he sets up his front line. Giekhles can rotate between central and wide positions, contributing to both the buildup and finishing phases. His versatility would allow Arteta to rotate him with Gabriel Martinelli and Saka, creating a fluid attacking unit that is difficult for any defense to predict or match.
d) Pressing from the Front
Another tactical benefit of the false 9 system is its compatibility with high-pressing systems. The false 9 is often an ideal player to initiate a press because of their natural tendency to drop into midfield and close down spaces. Giekhles, with his energy and technical ability, could play a key role in Arsenal’s pressing game, winning the ball higher up the pitch and immediately contributing to transition moments.
5. The Future of Arsenal’s Attack: A New Offensive Identity
If Arteta successfully implements the false 9 system, Arsenal could evolve into a more possession-oriented and versatile attacking team. This change would reflect Arteta’s broader vision of modern football — one that prizes flexibility, movement, and unpredictability.
By incorporating a player like Giekhles, Arteta would be able to develop an attacking unit that is not reliant on a single focal point or striker, but one that is fluid, interchangeable, and capable of adjusting to different defensive setups. The ability to switch between traditional and false 9 roles could give Arsenal an edge in breaking down defenses that are accustomed to facing conventional strikers.
In the long term, this tactical shift could help Arsenal challenge for major titles both domestically and in Europe, as it would provide the team with a more dynamic and unpredictable attacking threat — something that could make them even more dangerous in high-pressure matches.
6. Conclusion: A Tactical Masterstroke in the Making
Mikel Arteta’s decision to shift focus from Isak to Mikkel Damsgaard and embrace the false 9 experiment represents a significant tactical evolution for Arsenal. It highlights his growing tactical maturity and his ability to adapt his strategies to the changing demands of modern football.
By incorporating a versatile, fluid attacker into his system, Arteta could unlock a new attacking identity for Arsenal — one that is dynamic, hard to predict, and incredibly difficult to defend against. As Arsenal looks to challenge for both domestic and European glory, this tactical upgrade could be the key to propelling them to the next level. If executed well, the false 9 experiment could be one of Arteta’s defining tactics, and Mikkel Damsgaard might just be the perfect player to make it a success.
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