{"id":550615,"date":"2020-04-29T04:28:58","date_gmt":"2020-04-29T08:28:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=550615"},"modified":"2020-04-29T04:28:58","modified_gmt":"2020-04-29T08:28:58","slug":"how-trent-alexander-arnold-exceeds-aaron-wan-bissaka-as-a-modern-day-fullback","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/04\/29\/how-trent-alexander-arnold-exceeds-aaron-wan-bissaka-as-a-modern-day-fullback\/","title":{"rendered":"How Trent Alexander-Arnold Exceeds Aaron Wan-Bissaka as a Modern-Day Fullback"},"content":{"rendered":"

Over the last three years, the role of the fullback has dramatically changed and has become one of the most important positions on the pitch; this puts the likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka<\/a> and Trent Alexander-Arnold<\/a> at the centre of several discussions. But, when taking a more in-depth look at the two players, there is only one winner and that is Trent Alexander-Arnold. Heres why.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Trent Alexander-Arnold Exceeds Aaron Wan-Bissaka as a Modern-Day Fullback<\/h2>\n

The Role of a Modern-Day Fullback and How Trent Alexander-Arnold Fulfils It<\/span><\/h3>\n

Five years ago, the first responsibility of a fullback was to defend; a fullback’s position was either box to box or even, in some cases, their own box to the halfway line. And this role saw the birth of legends such as Gary Neville<\/a> in England, who became known for his defensive attributes, something that was perhaps more needed back then. Aaron Wan Bissaka would have been the perfect fit for that Manchester United<\/a> side, with his ability one on one and tackling success rate, his best assets.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Nowadays, however, a modern-day fullback’s first responsibility is to support the attack; the best fullbacks currently in world football include the likes of Alphonso Davies<\/a>, Andy Robertson<\/a> and Alexander-Arnold who play this role with huge success.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And, in contrast to a fullback 5 to 10 years ago, fullbacks are being asked to play almost a right midfield position, with the back four playing a high line. This is something that Liverpool<\/a> have applied with great success this season with the back four pushing up to the halfway line when on the ball, which is usually 70% of the time. And with the back four pushed up, the fullbacks have been pushing up further and further, squeezing the opposition into breaking point.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And most possession-based sides, which is most of the worlds best, have implemented this tactic with Manchester City’s<\/a> fullbacks also seen further up the pitch. The tactic allows for the fullbacks to be a source of creativity and gain possession of the ball more than most players on the pitch. And, on the ball, there isn’t a better fullback than Alexander-Arnold in the modern-game, making him the perfect fit for most top sides around Europe and a better option than Wan-Bissaka.<\/span><\/p>\n

Statistics\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

When comparing the two, it is clear that both players adopt a contrasting style of play. Alexander-Arnold has become known for his creativity in attack and his passing ability that has seen him record the record amount of assists by a defender this season with 12. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, however, has managed just the two assists. When it comes to chances created, too, Alexander-Arnold’s tally of 16 beats Wan-Bissaka’s low number of three. The Liverpool man has also completed more forward passes, through balls, crosses. He also has been dispossessed the least out of the two.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, it is clear that the Liverpool fullback is better in the final third when comparing the two. But, at the other end of the pitch, it is impossible to match Wan-Bissaka’s stats. The United man has made 99 tackles this season, a stat only Leicester City’s<\/a> Ricardo Pereira<\/a> has bettered, and 54 more than Alexander-Arnold. Although due to the amount of possession Liverpool often have, the opportunity to tackle isn’t always there for Alexander-Arnold. Wan-Bissaka has also won more aerial battles and has fewer errors leading to goals. This suggests that he is the better defender between the two.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Verdict<\/span><\/h3>\n

After comparing the players it is clear that Wan-Bissaka is better off the ball, in defensive one on one situations. But, the problem with this is, a player cannot use these assets to great effect if their team has 70% of the ball, which is the case for most top teams. Instead, top teams will want a fullback that is talented going the other way, a weakness of Wan Bissaka’s.<\/span><\/p>\n

The fact is, Alexander-Arnold gets into most if not all top teams around Europe due to the fact most of them play possession-based games, asking fullbacks to be a source of creativity, something the Liverpool man has become famous for. But, Wan-Bissaka needs a more defensive, off the ball tactic to realise his potential; this is a tactic that is dying amongst the very best around Europe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Main Photo
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>