Bergkampesque

Arsenal’s defence is solid in general – best in the league.

Our midfield base of RiZu is also solid – soon to be best in Europe.

Our attack is more than decent with shared highest PL-goals scored with Citeh (who do have a game in hand, though), but I am sure that you will agree that it is not firing from all cylinders as yet. You just feel it could work much better, be much more lethal!

What is really exciting is that Arteta has a number of attacking options, and if he can get this part of our game right for the remainder of the season then there is nothing stopping us picking up silverware. Gyokeres is starting to find his feet in the team, and his fellow players are starting to feed him much better balls. Eze is a another player who needs to establish himself in the first-11, and he is slowly getting there. To get the best out of both players Arteta needs to allow them space. They both quite struggle with the claustrophobic nature of many of our games, largely due to opponents sitting deep and allowing little time and space for our attackers in the areas where Arsenal can hurt them most. Saka, Kai and Trossard on the other hand are much better suited in dealing with low-block teams.

As soon as we are ahead and teams have to come forward, Arsenal often play their best football. That’s when we see Gyokeres and Eze really shine. But we know that this is a rarity these days. So how can Arsenal maximise our attacking play against all those low-block opponents? Please share your views via a comment.

For me, it is a matter for Rice and Zubimendi to find the right balance between being the solid wall in front of our defence AND be the link with our attack. Both players are naturally drawn to the former, but they also have the quality to do the latter – and do it really well. I think these guys will get better and better, and will be the envy of Europe, let alone the PL, for years to come.

But key is that the attacking midfielder, the one in the hole, links up well both them.

I think Odegaard should be the best suited for this position, but he is a shadow of his former self and the chemistry with Rice and Zubimendi is missing. This is really sad and unfair on him, but it just is not clicking at the moment.

Eze is not doing it for me either in all those tight, low-block games, but this could still come. Eberechi, as already stated, needs space and movement but low-block teams are getting better and better in denying us these. I have seen Eze waiting around the ‘D-area’ for the ball to come to him and being isolated in far too many games. If and when he comes deep to get the ball, he does not do much with it from an attacking point of view (unless of course the opponent has pushed up and leaves space behind them; then Eze is at his most effective).

A solution to consider is for Arsenal to sit back more themselves and force the opponent to come and attack us. The turnovers and counterattacks that this would generate would suit Arsenal, and especially Eze but also Odegaard, very well (and we have seen this already in a few Champions League and other cup games).

But I think that the Havertz-Gyokeres combination is the best way forward for all those low-block games. They could play in 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1. Key is that both move a lot through the middle and link up well with each other and with Dec and Zubi (and the wing players of course). Every time the wingers and wing-backs can get the ball into the box, there will be two fine central attackers to put the ball in the net. Kai is stronger in the air than Victor and is ideal for long balls by the GK or defenders. Kai is also good in shielding the ball and passing accurately in tight spaces, and Victor loves to combine with him and benefit from the space the German will create for him.

So I am hoping that Kai will be fit soon and then stay fit for a long time. I am pretty sure that this is the missing link to fully maximise our attacking play. And judging from recent games when Havertz was fit, I think this is also Arteta’s preferred way to play against the Park-the-Bus teams.

But what do you think?

By TotalArsenal

Back to winning ways in the PL, and what a great all-round performance it was. Leeds are on a high at the moment and the stadium atmosphere was hostile, but Arsenal were in control throughout the entire game. Setbacks are part of the game, and the loss against the Mancs a week ago was painful, but it is all about bouncing back again, and that the boys, of whom I am always very proud, did just that.

Against Man United we showed some fatigue and a combination of unforced errors and playing a team that for once was feeling good about itself, proved to be fatal. This can happen but of course some of the media, and those from within who are wired that way, pounced on it to create anguish. So Mikel did the right thing with allowing the key players in our spine to spend some time together and get some renewed focus on where we are, how good we are, and what needs doing. It proved to be the absolute right thing to do.

In the meantime, our game is evolving once again.

Observations:

1. We have our centre of attack back. Martin tries hard, probably too hard. Eberechi is still learning to play in the nr10 position for a team like Arsenal, where space comes at a premium. He will come good because he is a gifted and intelligent player, but for now we need something different. The combo of Kai and Viktor looks like the boost the team have been desperate for. With Saka/Madueke on our right and Leandro/Martinelli on our left, Arsenal have very effective wings (supported by great wingbacks and central midfielders). But through the middle we have looked ineffective. Now with Kai and Viktor playing together, Arsenal look sharp on all three fronts and this could make all the difference for the effectiveness of our attack.
2. The joy of bringing on Jesus. When everybody starts to get tired, Gabbie J brings the enthusiasm and energy which are simply too much to handle for the opponents’ defenders. He already had two big chances before he scored, and his goal was just so typical Jesus: an absolute peach of a goal.
3. Take a bow, Zubimendi. What a comeback after last week’s match to forget as soon as possible! He scored a fine header but he was also everywhere and totally back to his very best midfield play.
4. Declan was purring all over the pitch and his defensive contributions were brilliant. One of his best games this season.
5. No Saka, no problem. Noni was a force throughout his time on the pitch, and his delivery was almost perfect.
6. Although it is good to pick out individual performances, the most impressive part of the game was the way we got back to totally controlling it. Arsenal were boss and even the Leeds fans, who just are amazing when it comes to vocally support their team, were gradually silenced. I don’t think that will happen often at Elland Road.

Next up are the Chavs who, like the Mancs, have a new manager and may play us with a confidence that we need to match on the day. Hopefully Bukayo’s injury is gone and he is available tomorrow. Merino’s op is a blow, but hopefully he can be a good coach in the dressing room and help the team in this way. I reckon, and support, Arteta starting with a very strong-11. This is now for a place in the final at Wembley and all players love to play at the holy ground of football.

By TotalArsenal.

Arsenal have the second highest number of goals in the PL, and yet nobody features in the top of either the PL goal or assist tables. Leandro Trossard is ‘top’ with five goals and four assists, followed by Gyokeres with five goals and no assists. Saka and Rice have four goals and three assists each, and the rest of the goals and assists are split among the remaining Arsenal players. I find these stats remarkable, and the question is whether this is a coincidence or all part of a plan.

It is also a question of what matters most: the means or the outcome? There has been a lot of focus on Gyokeres lack of goals (and assists!), but does it really matter if the rest of the team are scoring the majority of the goals instead? Now, I am sure that Mikel brought in Viktor with the hope that he was getting a CF who would bang in loads of goals. The handsome Swede is certainly not banging them in as much anymore, but he never seizes to try and do so. He is a handful, a constant threat to any defence. Leave him space and he will punish you, and this is vital to our attack. With the parked busses Arsenal meet almost constantly, we need a CF who rams and cajoles, who creates pressure and chaos. I think Viktor is doing a great job at this, and he is getting better and better.

Having Kai back is a bonus, and Jesus has been a veritable shot in the arm to our attack, but I don’t think either will replace the never-give-up Swede anytime soon. Jesus has great qualities but is a different type. Kai is quality and can certainly stand in for Viktor, but we may see the lanky German more as a second striker or even playing in the nr10 position; a position which is up for grabs at the moment.

Viktor clearly needed to adjust to the physicality and lack of space of the PL. Arsenal play a different sort of football than he was used to, and the expectations on his shoulders weigh a ton. But I like to judge a man on his values and his efforts, on his character and self-belief, and I have seen enough to know that this guy will, by hook or by crook, get there. That will be good for him and also good for the team…. as long as we don’t lose the ability to keep spreading the goals and form a threat from all areas and by all players. This is our real strength, and Viktor is already a major player in our ‘plan of attack’.

By TotalArsenal.

“Our actions may be impeded… but there can be no impeding our intentions or dispositions. Because we can accommodate and adapt. The mind adapts and converts to its purposes the obstacle to our acting. The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” (Marcus Aurelius Meditations 5.20)

We are getting towards mid-January and it is all going swimmingly well with Arsenal. This is an insane month of games without any rest and plenty at stake. Luckily, Arsenal have a strong squad and players returning form injury are starting to outnumber those becoming injured. The defence (especially the full-backs) remains an area of concern, but it looks like Mikel has found an answer to everything. The summer signings have all made vital contributions to the success of the team until now, and our manager’s use of Norgaard in defence as well as Hincapie as a left full back have been inspired.

What I liked most about our victory over Portsmouth is the level of energy and commitment on display. Nobody looked like they did not care too much; all were able to match the aggression and desire of the home team and crowd. When Arsenal have leaders in the team like Big G, Merino, Eze and Jesus you know that the standards will be high. This is the sort of game Portsmouth and their fans will have looked forward to: nothing to lose but let’s give those spoiled Gunners a game and see what will happen! Home-hubris was high and the early goal against us could have made the game go south. Previous Arsenal teams may have wilted, but the early adversity got the troops riled and boy did Arsenal play well. What stands in the way becomes the way.

Well the boys raised their level and the game finished 1-4 to the good guys. Ethan progressed well in the game; Norgaard stood strong for 90 minutes, Ben White showed everyone who is boss, Martinelli leaped liked a salmon and scored a beautiful hattrick, Jesus and Kepa gained more match-fitness, Kai had some minutes, Noni produced two fabulous assists, MLS enjoyed himself, Eze may have found himself again at the end of the match, and young Salmon had a little piece of the action. The highlight for me was Jesus assist after quick acting by MLS.

Next up are the Chavs and I predict Arteta will field a very strong team, more so as a preparation for the away game v Forest, which will be another crucial one, than a huge desire to win the League Cup. It’s all about form and momentum now, so let’s give the Chavs something to remember on Wednesday.

By TotalArsenal

I have a lot of respect for Villa and Emery. Not that long ago the only thing the fans did celebrate, ironically, was the award of a Villa corner, but now they have established themselves as a top 4-6 team. Our former manager deserves credit for achieving this.

The defeat in Birmingham earlier this month was a painful one. Arteta does not often use words like ‘revenge’ but last night’s victory had all the hallmarks of a full, bloodied one. They had it coming.

The start was tough and you could tell how much Emery had studied his former team and knew where and how he could hurt us. Declan’s absence made this a lot easier. Our boys were finding their bearings in that first half, and we rode our luck at times. But after fifteen minutes or so the Gunners took the initiative. The first half remained equal but then came a second half in which all canons were blazing. Only the need to rest players and prevent injuries kept Arsenal from making this a really big embarrassing loss for the Villains. Arteta had Emery, who really had no tactical answers at all in the second half, at his mercy; and I think if there was something like a statement in this game, it was Mikel’s half time talk and tactical adjustments which showed who is King.

Eight Observations

1. The King of defence and Set Piece is back. I don’t think we would have won this game with both Declan and Big G missing. They both are the on-field leaders that others will look up to. Having Gabriel back fully fit made a huge difference. To make Martinez flap like he did for our scrappy first goal says so much about his PRESENCE on the pitch. A monster.
2. Villa clearly love to sit deep and pounce on the rebound and counter. Nothing wrong with that at all. To crack such a team and not succumb to the pre-studied attacks from deep, all have to play with great concentration. At the start a few players were not fully focussed, and it was clear that the (unexpected?) absence of Rice let to doubt and confusion. I really liked the way Merino, Zubimendi and Odegaard then started to work together and took control.
3. Merino, in the Rice role, reminds me of the likes of Flamini, Gilberto, even Alex Song (much under valued during his time at Arsenal): he does a lot of the dirty work to allow others to shine, and he lacks any desire to be showy/flash. Love him.
4. Then there was Zubimendi. What a top quality, classy player we have in our ranks. Maybe he should play more games without Declan to show us how brilliant he really is. The goal was sweet and anything but easy, but this class act made it look like a walk in the park. Martin O will also be happy with the progress he is making after his long lay-off, and the inch-perfect assist would have made Bergkamp proud. It was the most important moment of the match.
5. Talking about class acts, Hincapie and Timber were immense on the wings. Their energy, healthy aggression and street-wisdom, supported by the hard working Leo and Bukayo, ensured that the wings were red and white all game long.
6. Then there were two unsung heroes. Gyo and Bukayo may not be on the goal or assist sheets but they were just as important as those who did, last night. A deep block needs to be bombarded and poked everywhere and constantly, only then will gaps appear that can be exploited. I like it that we are scoring four goals without Bukayo and Victor in top form. That means even more is to come. We remain unpredictable in attack with so many players carrying a threat the opponents need to reckon with. Long may it continue.
7. Leandro is having the season of his life so far. He has played with different full backs over the last few months but he just gets on with it. His mastery over the ball and awareness of space and time are a joy to watch. With a goal and assist he certainly was my player of the match.
8. The last observation is for Gabriel Jesus, of course. What a sweet goal he scored, and his devotion to his most famous namesake – who brought us renewed hope 2000 years ago – at the end of the match in front of the nation(s), was so warm and just humbling. And humble we need to remain. Yes this was a statement win, but so was our scrappy one v Everton. Bournemouth will be the next mountain to climb. OGAAT.

By TotalArsenal.

Arsenal 2 – 1 Wolves – a win by the skin of our teeth

Wow we were lucky to take three points at home from Wolves. It was a bad day at the office saved by OG – no not Olivier Giroud (oh how we missed a player with his aerial dominance, yesterday!) – but Own Goal, which is very harsh on the hard working, disciplined Wolves players, but we will take these gifts with Christmassy gratitude.

Ten Observations/Statements/discussion points:

1. Tempo and intensity, and of course discipline all over the pitch, are needed to crack a low block. We were not at the races yesterday. Too ponderous, too slow, too predictable. Simply too one-dimensional. In the previous post the Duc de Normandie gave a plausible explanation: the boys knew about a two-day break coming up and their heads and legs were already there. We still got the three points thanks to that sweet left foot of Bukayo – his name actually means ‘adds to happiness’ and doesn’t he just! – and the return of Jesus – who of course is happiness personified.
2. Eze or Odegaard behind the attack? It really is a world of difference whoever plays there. Eze seems to hug close to the D mainly and awaits the ball, whereas Odegaard comes deeper to rotate the ball and look for openings. Neither has (re)found their feet as yet in this position. Work to be done on the training ground.
3. Martinelli as a starter seems to always disappoint. Lacks the trickery of Leandro and is a chancer with his balls into the box. So few assists are evidence of this. Supersub potential yes, but starter… it’s a no from me. Who should be starting on the left wing: Martinelli, Madueke, Leandro or Eze?
4. Arsenal conceded a late goal too many times recently. And it seems a similar kind of goal too. What’s going on there?
5. Rice and Saliba may have returned which is of course good news, but boy did they look sluggish. Declan forced himself onto the game in the second half but he did not look right to me. A short break seems just right right now.
6. I think Raya may be our most consistently high-performing player in the squad. Often not much to do but when called on he is just there for us. Love this guy.
7. In a recent post I mentioned how important Big Gabby is for us, and his absence seems to support this, unfortunately. Our set-piece routine has become significantly less effective, and at the back we miss his leadership and aerial command.
8. Having said that, Hincapie has done a great job replacing the Brazilian giant. Early days but he looks really, really good.
9. Ben White too injury-prone? We all rate and love him, but it looks like he will be in and out of the treatment room forever. Such a shame.
10. Gyokeres always puts in a shift but it just does not seem to pay off for him personally. The service could certainly be better, and I am looking at you Eze, Martinelli, Odegaard especially, but he also seems to not have the power or confidence to boss the box and force the ball over the line at the moment. Has he returned too early?

Time for a break and some serenity. 🙂

By TotalArsenal.

Firstly, a few words about the Villa game. We lost but I was very, very proud of the way the boys fought till the end. The loss did not come as a surprise given the form of Villa and having to play them away, and of course the 3 out of 4 CBs missing did not help. Yet we bossed large parts of the game and had chances to win it. It was a fab game of football and a draw would have been a fairer result, but for me the fight for the win, the passion in the team, and the devastation of the players at the end showed us how ready these guys are to win the title. I cannot ask for more.

Second part of season starts NOW.

We all know that a season has two halves. Every team will be played home and away, and once we played all teams once the second part of the season starts (except for the games v Villa which will be completed before we have played all teams at least once). Yet, when I looked at the Arsenal scheduled fixtures for this season, it was clear to me that the season for us would be split into the first 15 games and then the remaining 23. If we did well in those first 15 and stayed in touch with the league leaders, I thought, we would have a good chance of winning the league.

Many of the really hard away games are front-loaded during these first 15 games. Man United (somehow never easy for us), Liverpool, Newcastle, Sunderland (okay this was not expected to be such a hard fixture), Chelsea and Villa away are now all behind us, and yet we actually lead the league. This is a fantastic achievement, especially with so many injuries concentrated in key areas (attack and recently our central defence). We will of course have to play these teams again but playing them at home is a big advantage.

There are some remaining hard away fixtures like Spuds and Man City, and the likes of Nottingham Forest and Brighton will certainly be tough nuts to crack, but it really feels to me that the remainder of the season will be much more manageable. There is a good flow to this for the team and management to prepare well and know when they have to peak, and the home crowd and stadium make such a big difference in these key battles.

The team did also amazing in the CL and can take the coming three games lightly, if they so wish. The focus now has to be on the PL and try and push through as many wins as possible. Key is to nurse back our central defenders as soon as reasonably possible, and avoid further injuries. Easier said than done of course. For some reason, we keep getting those injuries in specialised areas constantly, and I don’t really know why this seem to be happening to Arsenal especially. Any thoughts, BKers?

It is time to increase the gap between us and especially Citeh, so let’s get cracking. But first we have to cross the Brugge. No idea what the lineup for rhis game will be. Again, any thoughts?

By TotalArsenal.