Best way to handle Arsenal dangerman Saka? Palace boss wants Tyrick Mitchell to put England star on back foot
BY ALEX PEWTER
Tyrick Mitchell is often a defender who goes under the radar in the wider football world.
The 25-year-old defender debuted for Crystal Palace at the end of the 2019-20 season and is already nearing 150 Premier League appearances.
Recent fan focus has often been on the attacking side of his game, especially since the move to Oliver Glasner’s wing-back system. Yet, he has been defensively battling with the best right-wingers in the division – often coming out on top.
Tomorrow’s game against Arsenal is another of those challenges – with Bukayo Saka expected to start on their right flank. He is the quintessential danger man for the north London side, with five goals and 10 assists in the league.
However, when asked about the defensive battle potentially on Mitchell’s hands, Glasner reflected on his recent games and wants a more aggressive approach to challenging Arsenal’s attacking threats out wide.
“Both the full-backs are important when the opposite team plays high wingers, and being one versus one. Tyrick did excellently defensively against Brighton vs Minteh and got an assist. He could have been more attacking against Arsenal [on Wednesday].”
“For me, he played with too much respect. You can wait and control your winger, but I want them to attack in this situation. In the way we play, we need both wing-backs to attack. He could have done better with that.”
The Austrian’s approach is proactive. Tactically, the question should be more about what Mitchell can do to make Saka’s life difficult rather than focusing on how he must close down the England international.
“Of course, he is defending Saka, but with the way Arsenal defend, their wingers have to follow the wing-backs often. One thing Saka doesn’t like is to defend. So we want them to do things on the pitch that Arsenal don’t like. If we let them do what they want, they will win.”
The team struggled with Daniel Munoz’s absence on the opposite flank, but regardless of who fills that position opposite Mitchell, Glasner wants both his wide options to impose themselves on the match while his team is in possession.
PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD