When you sit down to watch Chelsea, Arsenal, or Liverpool this season, you’ll notice something clear, their midfields couldn’t be more different.
They all want control, energy, and creativity in the midfield, but how did they go about getting it well, that’s where things get interesting.
Let’s break this down in a real, honest way. No complicated analysis. Just what you see on the pitch, what it means, and why it’s working (or not).
Chelsea: Still Figuring Things Out with a Young Midfield
Chelsea have been trying to find their feet ever since the Pochettino era ended. Enzo Fernández, Moisés Caicedo, and now Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are the faces of a midfield that’s still under construction.
How the Midfield Works on the Pitch
Usually, they go with a 4-3-3. It's the same in every game. The midfield changes a bit depending on who they’re playing. Against weaker teams, Enzo often pushes higher, almost like an advanced 8 or a 10.
Caicedo usually stays deepest, breaking up play and protecting the backline. Dewsbury-Hall brings the legs pressing, running, showing up in wide areas.
But here’s the thing: they still don’t look fully settled. The connection isn’t there yet. Caicedo sometimes looks isolated. Enzo looks frustrated when he's not with the ball, or when he’s under too much pressure.
It seems Chelsea are trying to build a midfield full of energy and control, but they’re still figuring it out without a player that can old the midfield or someone to set the pace.
What They’re Getting Right
Dewsbury-Hall is proving to be a smart pick-up. He’s not flashy, but he does the dirty work and makes good late runs into the box. Chelsea need that.
And Enzo when given time and space is still one of the best passers in the league. But you can see he needs more freedom.
What They’re Struggling With
Caicedo’s positioning still raises questions. Sometimes he’s too deep, almost sitting between the centre-backs. Other times, he steps up too high and gets caught. You can tell he’s trying to adjust, but the communication isn’t there yet.
Also, none of the three have that “controller” gene. They don’t dictate tempo like Rodri or prime Busquets. And that’s where Chelsea’s build-up often stalls.
Arsenal’s Midfield: Control, Structure, without Partey
Mikel Arteta’s midfield has been one of the most talked-about units in Europe. But it’s also gone through some real changes in 2025.
How They Usually Line Up
Arsenal always use 4-3-3 formation, but they sometimes switch to 4-2-3-1 based on the team they’re playing against. Declan Rice has become the heartbeat. He’s playing deeper now, after a stint higher up last season.
Then there’s Martin Ødegaard, one of the most intelligent attacking midfielders in Europe. He plays almost as a second striker at times, pressing high and threading passes in tight spaces.
How Arsenal Use Control to Manage the Game
Arsenal’s midfield is all about control. They don’t rush. They want 5-10 passes before the killer ball.
You’ll see a lot of triangles between Ødegaard, Saka, and Ben White on the right. On the left, Rice often shifts over to help timber invert and create overloads.
This is what Arteta wants: dominance through positioning and repetition.
What Their Midfield are Doing Well So Far
Declan Rice is in his element. He reads the game like a veteran and covers so much ground. It’s hard to press Arsenal when he’s on the pitch.
Ødegaard keeps doing what he’s good at, finding space, making the right passes, and pressing high.
And Jorginho, though not quick, brings calmness. He helps Arsenal slow the game down when needed.
What’s Still Not Working in Midfield
The biggest issue is depth. If Rice gets injured, there’s no one quite like him. Partey’s fitness can’t be trusted anymore.
When teams press them high and break their build-up, Arsenal don’t always have a quick way to play around or over the midfield. Havertz sometimes drops in to help, but it’s not his normal game.
There’s also a question of unpredictability. When their rhythm is broken, Arsenal can look a bit flat.
Liverpool’s Midfield Rebuild: What’s Changed in 2025
It’s wild to think how much Liverpool’s midfield has changed in the last 18 months. Out went Henderson, Fabinho, Keita, Milner... and in came Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, and Wataru Endo.
In 2025, the team has a clear way of playing. Klopp’s system has changed, but the energy and purpose are still there.
What Their Midfield Setup Looks Like
They usually line up in a 4-3-3 or a 3-box-3 variation, especially when Trent Alexander-Arnold inverts into midfield.
Mac Allister plays as a deep-lying playmaker. Szoboszlai operates higher up, almost like an 8.5 pressing, shooting from range, and linking play. The third midfielder is usually Curtis Jones or Gravenberch, depending on the game.
Trent stepping into midfield changes everything. Suddenly, Liverpool have four central options, and it creates all kinds of movement and passing angles.
What They’re Getting Right Tactically
Mac Allister has adapted well. He stays calm when things get tight and knows where to be. He’s not Fabinho, but that’s fine. Liverpool don’t press much,they try to keep the ball and control the game.
Szoboszlai is the spark. He’s always moving and knows the right time to to show up in the box.
And Trent’s hybrid role adds unpredictability. When he steps into midfield, it allows Liverpool to flood central areas without losing width.
What They’re Still Getting Wrong
The setup still struggles against quick transitions. If Trent is caught high, or if Mac Allister is isolated, the back line gets exposed.
Also, when Endo or Bajčetić comes in to give Mac Allister a rest, the tempo often drops. They’re still searching for that perfect balance.
And Gravenberch, despite his talent, hasn’t found consistency. You never know what you’ll get from him game to game.
How Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool Use Different Midfields to Chase the Same Goal
At the end of the day, all three teams want to control the midfield, they’re just doing it in different ways.
Chelsea are still figuring things out. They’ve got talent, but not yet structure.
Arsenal play with the best formation, but sometimes they stick to the plan too much.
Liverpool are changing quickly. They’re trying to mix control with their usual style and they are still working to get it right.
Each team reflects its manager. Pochettino’s replacement is still building. Arteta is a perfectionist, drilling patterns until they stick. Klopp is adapting, trying to stay modern without losing identity.
What They Still Need to Figure Out in Midfield
Will Chelsea add a more natural deep-lying playmaker? Maybe someone like Martín Zubimendi or even a cheaper Premier League option?
Can Arsenal cope if Rice gets injured? Is Jorginho enough for a title run?
Will Liverpool finally settle on a consistent trio, or will it stay fluid all year?
These midfield battles will determine who finishes top four, or who ends up disappointed. In a league this tight, control in the middle might be the difference between silverware and regret.
And when Chelsea face Arsenal or Liverpool this season, don’t just watch the goals. Watch the midfield. That’s where the game will be won.