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The Sun Sport 11 Jul 2026 35 here now

How Spain's 'Arteta-ball' tactics smothered Belgium

Spain edged past Belgium 2-1 to book their place in the World Cup semi-finals – but why are Luis de la Fuente's side so difficult to play against?

In this episode of Tactics Exposed, SunSport's tacti

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The Spanish team mimicking Arsenal is actually an enormous concerned for them going into their semi final against France. Cuz to me, this France team, reminds me of the PSG team that's been dominating Europe for the last 2 years.
We all saw what happened in the 2026 UCL final with PSG absolutely pushing arsenal in their last third for the majority of the game. The only difference this time around is for France having 4 superstars upfront that are terrifying all the opponents.
This Spain team can't go too to too with France and if they try, the score at the end of the game will absolutely be shocking with something like 5-2 or 4-1.
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FIFA specifically banned Arsenal's #1 winning tactic - mugging the goalkeeper and scoring off of corners and set pieces after disabling the opponent's goalkeeper. Germany weren't paying attention and managed to lose to Paraguay because of that rule change (actually, it was a directive to enforce an existing rule - you can't interfere with the goalkeeper, full stop. The EPL refs had simply stopped enforcing that rule and FIFA did not want to see goalkeepers getting mugged at this World Cup). So no, Spain can't copy Arsenal there.
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Yamal, Williams , Muñoz, Merino y Zubimendi.
Todos vienen de recuperarse de lesiones graves y otros de no tan graves pero de hace poco tiempo.
No es un equipo que este al 100% más bien al 60%
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Spain won a Euŕopean Championship 2 years ago, what has Arsenal won? Who's copying who? Let's get things straight.
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Saka trumps him. He makes better decisions. His football IQ is underrated. Saka is a complete player.
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Saka surely is underrated, a fully fit Bukayo Saka is unmatched, his productivity is unmatched, his chance creation from the wing is unbelievable in my humble opinion 👏
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Yamal is a no-brainer to me
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funny to hear English pundits say Spain is copying Arsenal, as if Arteta didn't learn his trade in Real Sociedad, Barcelona and Spain, no to mention he was second coach under Guardiola at City. It's Arsenal who's following Spanish tactics, as many other teams have started to do in the Premier League and many other places.
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@wantmz From YouTube ↗ 11 Jul 2026 1
Lionel yamal
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Saka the starboy
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definitely Saka because he defends well too when needed!
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Yamal without a shadow of a doubt!
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Lamine
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@martyg8137 From YouTube ↗ 11 Jul 2026 16
Bukayo Yamal
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Yamal doesn't get in the French team but he was la liga player of the year ahead of mbappe and Vinny Junior
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Spain plays as a block team. The players play more without the ball than other teams. The key of Spain is how create holes in the defense.
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copying Arsenal? 🤣🤣🤣🤣
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I like to watch Yamal, because he is exciting and a good dribbler. But I'm not taking any right winger in the world ahead of a fully fit and firing Bukayo Saka. People berate Saka because he's not flashy and spectacularly artistic. I understand he's been on and off these couple of seasons due to injuries, but when fully fit and firing he's the complete package –elite intelligence and decision making, incredibly effective, shooting with both feet, defensive awareness and generally does everything well.
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@TheTale28 From YouTube ↗ 11 Jul 2026 19
What a time to be alive as a Gunner ! When Arsenal language and style is starting to take significant real estate in football. Heard commentators talk about finishers and quote Mikel a bit .
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Whose tactics have impressed you more at this World Cup: Spain or France?