Arrows change the individual 'mentality' of a player. Any player has Defensive, Attacking and Physical & Mentality attributes. Any player is at any 1 time using Physical & Mental attributes and either Defensive or Attacking.

A red arrow increases the Physical & Mental 'use' and focusses more on attacking. So in attacking opportunities he'll work harder (condition use) and be expected to choose more attacking options.

A blue arrow does the same but in a Defensive sense.

I think of mentality as a Team arrow and 'arrows' as a tweak to that at individual player level. I don't subscribe to the move forward(/backward) a position theory other than as a desire/intent to 'get forward/backward'.

For counterattacking, as far as attacking goes, I think of it as fast-breaks so I use red arrows on players that I want breaking - usually determined by my Passing Focus. So in 4-4-2 down both flanks I want my wide main going 'off like the hare' at every c-a/breaking opportunity.

Here's the last thing the devs said about arrows. http://forum.topeleven.com/top-eleve...tml#post260875

But ofc if he's performing poorly he'll fall on his arse and dribble only from the mouth