With the start of the Premier League less than two weeks away, Arsenal star Mikel Arteta provides an insight into the key skills needed to play the defence-splitting pass
Wednesday 18 September 2013 15:36, UK
As the new Premier League season approaches, Mikel Arteta explains his passing skills.
Whether playing against a defensive side who have packed men behind the ball or if in a tight top-of-the-table clash, the ability to break down an opponent is one of the most integral skills in football. It is a tough technique to execute in terms of space, vision, awareness and, of course, passing accuracy. But, if mastered, it can take defenders out of the game and prove to be the difference between winning and losing. Every Premier League team will therefore be working on their skills in this department as the new season draws ever closer and their passing midfielders will especially need to perfect their ability to ensure they start the campaign on song. The training fields will be hugely important over coming days as players repeat drills on their technique in order to improve and ensure that when the pressure is on when the competition begins, they do not struggle. Pre-season training is traditionally a period of dread for professional footballers but away from the gruelling fitness work which is undertaken under the watchful eye of their coaches, skills such as passing are also key. Mikel Arteta divides opinion but he is undoubtedly a master of the passing art. Some see Arsenal's midfielder as a key and influential player while others question his effectiveness. But Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has never had any doubts and the statistics speak for themselves - Spaniard Arteta is one of the best passers in the Premier League and Europe and he is undoubtedly capable of playing that 'killer pass'.Premier League 2012/2013 (Minimum 999 passes) | |||
Rank | Player | Passes | Passing Accuracy |
1 | Ki Sung-Yueng | 1618 | 92.71 |
2 | Mikel Arteta | 2750 | 91.53 |
3 | Per Mertesacker | 1702 | 91.48 |
4 | Leon Britton | 1768 | 91.40 |
5 | Mousa Dembele | 1588 | 91.31 |