This article was originally published in the December print edition.
From Chaos To Compactness: The New Defensive Era
In English football, few formations have been as iconic as the 4-4-2. During the 90s and 2000s, especially with Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United and Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal teams. This is highlighted by the 16 Premier League titles shared between their infamous title-winning sides.
Recently, however, there has been an evolution in the Premier League from such high-pressure, chaotic football to a controlled football with compact and structured defensive setups. Tactical shifts have caused a resurgence in 4-4-2 formations, mid-blocks and set-piece routines, while open play creativity has decreased.
The return of the 4-4-2 brings defensive solidity to teams by ensuring compactness between the lines. This enables teams to stay disciplined defensively and press triggers. These were generally used by lower mid-table and lower half sides to frustrate high possession sides.
For example, teams like Brentford, Everton and Fulham have implemented these tactics. Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace have implemented this compactness, without adopting the 4-4-2 but instead deploying a 3-4-3, showing the importance of staying tight. These tactics have resulted in teams like Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal and other traditional big six sides struggling to break down low blocks.
However, Arsenal is a caveat so far this season as they have implemented a mixture of these tactics and frustrated teams. As soon as they lose possession, they move directly into a 4-4-2 to limit opposition build-up and transitions. This means they are currently on track to break Chelsea’s 2004-05 defensive record with only 3 goals conceded in 10 games.
The Decline of Open-Play Goals
Open-play goals have declined, with teams generally sitting back deeper, denying space behind. For example, according to Understat, the average number of open-play goals per game has fallen from around 2.1 in 2021/22 to 1.7 in 2024/25, highlighting a clear downward trend and how teams are increasingly sitting deeper and prioritising compact defensive shapes that deny space in behind.
As possession structures have evolved, teams have implemented inverted fullbacks and slow build-up play and more controlled circulation of the ball; there have been fewer chaotic transition moments.
These transitions, once a major source of goals, are being replaced by more deliberate phases of play that allow defences to reset. The result is a league that’s more tactical and organised, with a growing reliance on set-pieces, alongside the adoption of the 4-4-2, reducing the openness and unpredictability of teams’ attack.
Set-Pieces and the Dead Ball Revolution
Brentford were the first innovative team in the English top flight to appoint a set-piece coach, and became the first team to consistently master the re-emerging weapon of long throw-ins.
Top teams have followed suit, specifically Arsenal, who hold the most goals scored from set-piece situations and have already broken the Premier League record of 8 set-piece goals in the first ten gameweeks of the new season.
This change in Premier League backroom staff structure has caused teams to spend more time on attacking and defending set-pieces than ever before.
From the first ten game weeks, teams that have generally over-performed their set-piece xG have overachieved in the league compared to expectations.
Liverpool’s Struggles
On the other hand, teams are finding it difficult to cope with the new defensive 4-4-2 trend. At the beginning of this season, current champions Liverpool have struggled the most, suffering six defeats in eight games from 27 September to 29 October.
Liverpool fans are disappointed, after they broke the English transfer record twice in the summer, spending over £400 million to improve their attacking and fullback options.
As teams have become more compact in their mid to low block 4-4-2, Liverpool have struggled to break down teams and convert their dominance into open play goals when denied space. They have also struggled with defending and scoring from set-pieces, underperforming on their set-piece xG.
What does this mean for the rest of the Premier League?
The Premier League has become a more competitive league where anyone can beat anyone. Micro tactics have been more influential. Margins of victory are becoming increasingly decided by fine details like set-piece routines and mistakes rather than amazing open-play buildup goals. Top coaches are focused on set-piece routines, and players who can carry out defensive duties within a 4-4-2 formation.
The Premier League’s evolution shows that football is cyclical — the 4-4-2 is no longer outdated but rather a powerful defensive tool. As open-play creativity declines, the art of the set-piece is redefining what it means to be an effective attacking team.
We appear to be entering an era where the most valuable coaches aren’t the tacticians who dominate possession but the ones who master the dead ball.
