Two wins in a week, and a new star born; all's right in the Arsenal world - right?
September 23, 2019 09:27Well, nothing could be further from the truth. Following on from the dire statistic of allowing Watford 31 attempts on goal last weekend, Arsenal followed that up by allowing Frankfurt 24, and Aston Villa a 'mere' 14 (although it felt like a lot more). These stats are unacceptable for a side with the lofty ambitions and expectations of Arsenal, and the reasons for them must be addressed.
So, first the good from the Villa game. Aubameyang, despite looking jaded playing his third 90 minutes in eight days, scored a superlative free-kick and continually looked for space, pulling defenders all over the place. Pepe showed further glimpses of his potential, and Saka (I'll come back to him, I promise you) was unlucky to be the man to be hooked at half-time in the required defensive restructuring. He was possibly Arsenal's best player in the first half.
I must also mention the added impetus that the introduction of Torreira and Willock gave to the side (although that might be something to do with Xhaka going off!). Guendouzi's performance was chalk and cheese; sluggish and off the pace for much of the first half, but driving the side on from 2-1 down. He needs to play the whole of a game the way he finished this one. By the way, I understand that Mateo had a match-long slanging match with every Arsenal fan's favourite ex-player, John 'you know what you are' Terry. If he, at the age of 20, has identified Terry as football's version of the Antichrist and has managed to get under his skin, then that will of course only further endear him to us all.
Plus a special mention to Calum Chambers, who played well in an unfamiliar position, scored an important goal, and deserves a start or five in his preferred position.
And the bad - well, it was the usual. The entire defence looked dodgy throughout - although that might be something to do with the way the midfield is set up. And when I say set up, I'm really not sure how they are being set up and what they are being instructed to do.
And that's what Emery needs to address; because Arsenal are a soft touch in there at the moment. So I'm going, for the moment, to give the defence a little bit of the benefit of the doubt - for all they look devoid of confidence, as they got little or no help throughout a thoroughly depressing first hour of football (to add to the horrendous second half last week) from the midfield in front of them.
The lack of urgency displayed when the ball was lost led to numerous opportunites for Villa, and it's inexcusable. As a supporter in the ground, it is infuriating to see three midfielders barely jogging back after a lost ball, whilst our opponents sprint forward to get at a totally exposed back four. No urgency, no closing down, poor shielding of the defence - the sort of stuff that I have been known to shout at my team-mates about at my weekly football game; football, I tell them, is not a spectator sport whilst you're actually on the pitch! The lack of energy and willingness to close Grealish down for their second goal - he dribbled easily between three players - summed the issues up succinctly.
So David Luiz has gone from having one of the world's best defensive midfielders in N'golo Kante shielding in front of him, to having Granit Xhaka 'allegedly' do that for him. I've said it before and I say it again; I am not sure what Xhaka brings to the side. He can't tackle, he can't run, he doesn't close the ball down (key qualities for a holding midfielder, I would venture to suggest), although he can, given time, pass the ball over any distance you care to name. What I did notice throughout the game was that he was trying to fill empty spaces as opposed to getting close to the ball. Space, to my knowledge, has never caused much damage on a football pitch? I'm sorry, but his main quality - passing ability - is not necessarily key to the role, so why Emery continues to select him in it is beyond me.
I'm desperate to see Torriera there, but I suspect that Emery is looking for a player of physically greater stature, and there are frankly no players of lesser physical stature than the extremely diminutive Uruguayan. However, hearing rather more than a smattering of cheering when the number 34 went up to be substituted told the story of what the Arsenal crowd thought of Xhaka's performance today. I'd like to see a middle three of Torreira, Guendouzi and Willock some time soon.
And now to discipline. A number of stupid yellow cards left their mark on the side. Guendouzi for dissent, and an unfortunate early one for AMN that meant that he quite rightly got his marching (or in this case hobbling) orders for a badly mis-timed slide on Taylor. And as for Sokratis' embarrassing attempt to get Wesley into trouble; well I'm sorry, but that is unbecoming of a professional footballer and he should be dealt with by the club for it.
But, somehow, three points were earned. From 2-1 down, and with 10 men. In a week that Tottenham, Chelsea and United all lost. And I'll gladly take that. I hope that Emery can see what the spectators are seeing, though, as there is a depressing lack of positional organisation, discipline and latent energy in midfield that simply must be addressed.
And now briefly back to Frankfurt in midweek. A frankly sensational result, lit up by a superb performance from 18-year-old Bukayo Saka, who as a result got his first Premier League start. Yes, a star is born - at barely 18 Arsenal's third youngest-ever Premier League debutant. With two assists and a sensational goal, he deserves all the plaudits he got - although quite how Mason Greenwood overshadowed him in the media the next day is beyond me.
That's Arsenal's most difficult Europa League group match out of the way, and I'd say we're virtually already qualified now as a result. I look forward to seeing more youngsters blooded in the remaining group matches (and in the Carabao Cup; starting on Tuesday evening).
And starting next week at 'fortress' Old Trafford, let's hope to see a more pragmatic approach from Arsenal. A little less of the end-to-end basketball-type excitement that we've been put through so far this season, please. Fun for the neutral, maybe, but not good for this supporter's blood pressure!
Until next week.
About our blogger: David Marks (in his own words) is "a 59-year-old married father of four, now semi-retired. I've been an Arsenal fan since my father first took me to Highbury when I was 6. Having spent my working life first in Retail and then for 30 years running my own instant print business, I'm taking things a bit easier now and helping out small Charities and SMEs with Change Management projects and a bit or Marketing and Fundraising work. In my spare time, I like to watch and read about sport (mainly football, cricket and horse racing) and started this blog a few years ago. I love to write and possibly missed my vocation, so this is not only a bit of fun but also cathartic. I hope you enjoy my musings".