Ferdinand argued that Arsenal failed to drop a midfielder deep enough to receive passes from the centre-backs and switch the play, leaving Declan Rice with limited options. He compared the situation to how elite midfielders like Toni Kroos, Luka Modrić, or Rodri would have acted to find space or receive the ball, noting that Arsenal lacked a player capable of constructing play under pressure.
The pundit’s critique focused on Zubimendi’s role as the de facto deep-lying playmaker. While the £60m signing has earned praise for his overall season, Ferdinand highlighted a tendency in recent outings for him to shy away from taking risks with the ball in high-stakes matches, preventing Arsenal from establishing a steady outlet through the middle.
Arsenal’s strategic challenge in the final centered on breaking City’s press and initiating build-up from the back. Ferdinand suggested that without an accompanying facilitator to drop deep and orchestrate play, Rice often went unfed beyond the press, hindering Arsenal’s forward momentum and control.
In summary, Ferdinand’s assessment points to a gap in Arsenal’s midfield balance when faced with top-level pressing. He implied that a more proactive deep-lying option or different approach from the manager could have enabled better ball retention and progression against City’s suffocating press, particularly in the central areas of the pitch.
